wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Bueltmann re-elected in Illinois

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	July 10, 2003 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 75

	Bueltmann re-elected in Central Illinois

	Rev. David J. Bueltmann was re-elected to his third term as
president of the Central Illinois District during the district's 54th
Regular Convention, July 6-8 in Springfield, Ill. Bueltmann was elected
on the second ballot.

	Also elected were Rev. Mark Miller, Pekin, Ill., first vice
president, and Rev. Wayne Hoffman, Springfield, Ill., second vice
president.

	Delegates voted to continue the "Tell the Good News About Jesus"
evangelism emphasis in every congregation.

	They also voted to ask the Synod in convention to overturn
recent decisions of the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM)
regarding "ecclesiastical supervision and conflict of interest" and
Bylaw 2.27, and to declare that the removal of a member of Synod follow
Article XIII of the Constitution when a member acts contrary to the
Confessional standard in Article II and the conditions of membership in
Article VI, regardless of counsel received by an ecclesiastical
supervisor.

	Saying they are concerned that two other CCM rulings on
ecclesiastical supervision would open the Synod to lawsuits because
opinions of supervisors would no longer be advisory and place the
supervisor in a difficult position because of insufficient information,
delegates voted to ask the Synod in convention to overturn these rulings
as well.

	Because the CCM has ruled that the Synod president may be
disciplined only by the Synod in convention, delegates voted to ask the
LCMS Commission on Structure to develop proposals for a process to place
a Synod president on restricted status, suspension or deposition from
office. The resolution stipulated that the changes be "neither too
difficult nor too easy to implement in a time of crisis."

	Delegates also voted to:

	* ask Dr. David Benke to "see the syncretism in his actions" and
"repent of this sin and to be restored by the grace and forgiveness of
Christ" concerning his participation at the post-Sept. 11 "Prayer for
America" event. Speakers in support of the resolution emphasized that
they wanted to bring the healing that only Christ's forgiveness brings.
Opponents said they felt the incident already had been resolved by Synod
actions.

	* encourage district congregations to adhere more closely to
district compensation guidelines for teachers.

	* hold theological convocations with other districts.

	* encourage congregations, schools and school associations to
provide maximum health benefits for their workers without reducing the
workers' overall compensation, and to encourage "joyous stewardship" in
congregations to meet the increased cost. They also asked the district
board of directors to discuss with the management of Worker Benefit
Plans its decision to shift the cost of health care from employers to
workers without Synod mandate, allegedly in violation of past Synod
convention action.

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	PLEASE NOTE:

	The LCMSNews story about the Lutheran Women's Missionary League
convention in Oklahoma City omitted that Kaye Cairns of Aurora, Colo.,
was elected to serve as the LWML's vice president of human care.

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