83RD REGULAR CONVENTION OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD and the 44TH ANNuAL MEETING OF THE BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE CORPORATION Convention Theme: "Christ the Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever'' Essayist: Rev. Gaylin Schmeling Compiled by Rev. Craig A. Ferkenstad, Secretary Held at BETHANY LUTHERAN COLLEGE and BETHANY LUTHERAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Mankato, Minnesota June 11-15, 2000 TABLE OF CONTENTS Convention Day by Day ............................................... a Roll Call ........................................................... 7 Representatives Eligible to Vote ........................................ 8 Convention Committees .............................................. 12 President's Message ................................................. 15 President's Report .................................................. 20 Essay: "2000 Years of Grace" .......................................... 38 Synodical Membership-Action ofthe synod ............................... 76 Reports of Committees and Action of the synod ........................... 7 8 Memorials ....................................................... 142 Treasurer's Reports ................................................ 149 Directories ....................................................... 179 Officers of the synod . ......................... 186 Christian Day Schools .............................................. 198 Church locations .................................................. 206 Clergy Roster ..................................................... 215 Index ........................................................... 229 2 THE CONVENTION DAY BY DAY SYNOD SUNDAY, June 11, 2000 The 83rd Regular Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the 44th Annual Meeting of the Bethany Lutheran College Corporation began with a Festival Synod Sunday Service on Pentecost Sunday in Trinity Chapel beginning at 2:30 pm. The Rev. E. Ekhoff (Golden Valley, Minnesota) was the speaker. Basing his sermon upon Hebrews 13:8, he said that 2,000 years of change is difficult to summarize. In the last 100 years so much has changed but Jesus, who changes not remains our counsel, Helper, Lord and Savior. He won salvation for us through his innocent suffering and death. His glorious resurrection speaks peace to troubled souls. He is ever the same in all that renders him the object of our trust. Our leaders preached this Christ and so we are to imitate them and remember them. We are not to be car­ ried away with false teaching, but preach Christ who changes not. The Rev. D. Basel (Mankato, Minnesota) served as liturgist. At 7:00 pm the assembly gathered again in Trinity Chapel for the Graduation Service for Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary. Five students were graduated. President Schmeling based his sermon on Deuteronomy 32:39 under the theme: "The Divine Physician who Gives Life, Sends Men as Physicians of Souls." Jesus, the Divine Physician, provides the healing balm of the Gospel for all. This Gospel medicine He pre­ pared through His holy life for us and His holy death on the cross. Today the healing balm is brought to us through the Word and Sacraments, and is received by faith alone in the Savior which is worked through these Means of Grace. Now the Divine Physician sends our seminary graduates and all pastors as physicians ofthe soul to distribute this healing balm of the Gospel. A reception, in honor of the graduates, followed the Service. MONDAY, June 12, 2000 The first working day of the 83rd Regular Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the 44th Annual Meeting of the Bethany Lutheran College Corporation was opened with a devotion based on Ephesians 1:3-6 conducted in Trinity Chapel by the Chaplain, the Rev. Michael K. Smith (Holland, Michigan) under the theme "Christ Yesterday-In His Grace God Calls Me." The first devotion reminded us that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as Savior is special. This is true because God has called all believers in His love, making them His own children through faith. Because believers are special, chosen people of God, God's grace can be seen in their lives. Our celebration of God's grace is not only for the grace shown these past 2000 years, but for God's eter­ nal grace. The hymns "Lord, 'Tis Not that I Did Choose Thee" and "Draw Us to Thee" were sung. President Orvick welcomed the delegates, pastors and visitors to the 83rd Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. Secretary Ferkenstad called the roll. Seventy-five permanent voting members and Forty-five permanent advisory members either responded to the roll call or were pres­ ent at the end of the first working day (attached). The Credentials Committee reported and recommended the seating of 123 men who had been certified by their congregations as representatives to this convention. President Orvick declared the 83rd Annual Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the 44th Annual Meeting of the Bethany Lutheran College Corporation to be "in session in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." President Orvick read his message reminding us of Hebrews 13:8. We first speak of Jesus Christ Yesterday, that is before His incarnation (before Bethlehem). Jesus Christ is yet the same today. Finally we rejoice in this: that He is the same forever. In a new millennium this love of Jesus for souls ought motivate us to launch out into the deep to 3 rescue dying sinners. We are to go forward with courage and enthusiasm to proclaim "Jesus Christ The Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever." A late memorial concerning Higher Education was received by the convention. Written greetings were read from: Auxiliary Bishop of the Ukrainian Lutheran Church, Czech Republic (Thoughts of Faith), WELS mission in Japan. and Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (Germany) Welcomes were extended to various visitors in attendance; and greeting were also read by Seminarian Tor Jakob Welde on behalf of Pastor Egil Edvardsen and the Lutheran Confessional Church (Norway and Sweden); Pastor Mark Tuffin (Australia); Missionary Timothy Erickson (Peru); and Missionary Karl Kunzel (Chile). The afternoon devotion was conducted by the Rev. G. Sahlstrom (South Jordan, Utah). The assembly sang the hymn "All Glory be to God Alone" which was followed by the reading of Romans 8:28-29, comments, prayer, and blessing. The convention elected its working committees, committee work was assigned, and the convention recessed so that the convention committees could meet to prepare reso­ lutions for consideration. TUESDAY, June 13, 2000 The Tuesday morning devotion was conducted by the Rev. E. Bryant (Mankato, MN) under the theme: "Christ Today-In His Grace God Enlightens Me." The assembly sang the hymn "Not What these Hands Have Done" and Rev. Bryant based his sermon upon Ephesians 2:8-9 which words are the most perfect expression of the doctrine of justifi­ cation by grace through faith. By reminding us that salvation is all by grace, St. Paul warns us not to boast of anything before God. But also because salvation is by grace, we are comforted to know that we are acceptable to God in Christ, bearing His right­ eousness by faith. St. Paul also is inspired to write: "By grace you have been saved ... " and so comforts us with the knowledge that salvation is made ours personally and cer­ tainly through faith. Following the normal preliminaries, a letter of greeting was read from the Lutheran Evangelical Christian Church (Japan) and welcomes were extended to various guests. The convention received the report of the Synodical Membership Committee. Eight pastors, two teachers and one congregation were received into membership. New mem­ bers were welcomed on the stage by President Orvick. Greetings were brought by President Gurgel from the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and also Mr. J. Kieselhorst (Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School­ NewUlm,MN) The convention then proceeded with the election of a secretary and treasurer. The - Rev. C.Ferkenstad was elected to a four-year term as secretary and Mr. L.Meyer was elected to a four-year term as the treasurer of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod During the nominating process, an explanation of the work by Four Corners Mission Society was made by J.Krikava. The report of the Higher Education Committee was read; after which the chaplain closed the session with prayer. The Tuesday afternoon devotion was conducted by the Rev. B.Schwark (Bishop, California). The devotion consisted of the reading of 1 John 3:1-11, the singing of the hymn "We Are Called by One Vocation," comments, prayer and blessing. A presentation was made by Mr. H.Berg concerning the "2000 Years of Grace Thank Offering." This included the necessary information for conducting the offering in all the congregations of the synod. It included the showing of a ''Video Link," explanation of the congregational Bible study, the offering brochure, and suggestions to implement the offering in the congregations. Pastors and delegates had the opportunity to make a Statement of Intent for the two-year offering; it was later announced that the Statement of Intent totaled $118,000. A Higher Education presentation was made with President G. Schmeling reporting on behalf of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary; he especially urged the recruit­ ment of future pastors for work in the Lord's Church. President M.Meyer also made a report on behalf of Bethany Lutheran College speaking about the continued growth and development ofthe college; special thanks was extended to Mr. Paul Tweit for