wfn.org | LCMS Convention thanks Kuhn, King; addresses Book of Concord, infant

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

baptism

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Board for Communication Services
1333 S. Kirkwood Road St. Louis, MO 63122-7295

61st Regular Convention St. Louis, Mo. July 14-20, 2001

July 19, 2001 #47

Contact: Bruce Kueck (314) 342-5715

Convention thanks Kuhn, King; addresses Book of Concord, infant baptism

ST. LOUIS Delegates voted with standing ovations Thursday, July 19, at the 
61st Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod on 
resolutions to thank the men who were thrust into new positions of 
leadership at the death of Synod President A.L. Barry in March.

The resolutions gave thanks for Synod President Robert T. Kuhn and First 
Vice President Robert H. King. Kuhn moved to president from first vice 
president and King from the part-time second vice presidency to full-time 
duties as first vice president when Barry died. The response to the 
resolution of thanks to Kuhn also included singing Martin Luther s famous 
Reformation hymn, "A Mighty Fortress."

The resolution regarding Kuhn says that "the mantle of leadership of our 
beloved LCMS was placed suddenly upon" him and "by the Lord s rich grace, 
President Kuhn is leading our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod faithfully and 
humbly through this time." Of King, the other resolution says that he "is 
giving humbly of himself in a significant manner" through his full-time 
service, and that he has "taken to this task willingly, graciously and 
effectively."

The resolutions were presented by the floor committee on theology and 
church relations.

Other resolutions presented by the committee and adopted without debate 
Thursday afternoon:
encourage study of the Book of Concord, which contains the Lutheran 
confessional writings of the 16th century. A new English edition of the 
book was published last year;. This year is the 150th anniversary of the 
first American edition; and two new volumes of source materials and 
historical introductions will be published next year.

encourage pastors and congregations to "guide out families to have their 
infants baptized at the earliest opportunity following their birth." The 
resolution notes that God has commanded Baptism and promises through it 
forgiveness, life and salvation needed also by infants, because "we all are 
conceived and born sinful." It says that some families have a tendency to 
delay baptism of their infants.

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