President’s Message

The President’s Message and Report was approved. The Synod Review Committee was encouraged to revise the Guidelines for Synodical Discipline and Appeals.

Doctrine Committee

Prof. Juul Madson was thanked for serving 38 years as a member of the Doctrine Committee. The Committee was directed to continue discussions with the WELS on the matter of women communing women. Two memorials concerning the Office of the Public Ministry were referred to the Doctrine Committee.

Finances

The synod adopted the financial reports of the Laymen’s Equalization Fund Committee, the Board for Stewardship, the Board of Trustees, and the Synod Treasurer. The 2008 budget of $796,464 was approved.

Higher Education

Congregations were encouraged to participate in the vicarage program of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary.

Home Missions

It was resolved that congregations be made aware of the practice of using the adopted 2008 compensation package for home missionaries as a guideline for clergy salaries.

Foreign Missions

The Rev. Timothy Erickson was thanked for his twenty-five years of missionary service in Peru and Chile. The synod encouraged the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Peru to continue in its transition to future independence. The synod endorsed the continued exploration of bringing Thoughts of Faith under the direct auspices of the ELS.

Evangelism

The synod encouraged its congregations to submit evangelism ideas, events, projects and materials to the Board for Evangelism. The Board is to develop an ongoing evangelism consultation service for extending the work of Parish Evangelism Assistance.

Elementary Education

The synod’s congregations were encouraged to use the available funds to start or expand existing Christian education programs. The Board for LSA was encouraged to develop curricula for Christian classical education and train others in its use. The synod president was directed to continue the process of integrating the work of education and missions. The synod members were encouraged to continue supporting the For You and Your Children offering.

Youth and Parish Education

The Board for Parish Education and Youth was urged to complete current devotional projects and to develop new ones and to make LYA convention Bible study materials available for congregational use. The Board was commended for its support of the Summer VBS program in Eastern Europe.

Parish Services

The synod thanked Prof. Juul Madson for his work of proof-reading the Lutheran Sentinel and the Lutheran Synod Quarterly. The Board for Publications is to investigate publishing the Lutheran Sentinel in full color and finding a design professional.

Synodical Membership

Three congregations were received into synod membership: St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, MI; Our Savior Lutheran Church, Roseau, MN; and Redeeming Grace Ev. Lutheran Church, Rogers, MN. Also received into membership were Rev. Andrew Burmeister, pastor of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Kallangur, Queensland, Australia; Rev. Thomas Zeller, pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church, Roseau, MN; Rev. Nile Merseth, pastor of River Heights Lutheran Church, East Grand Forks, MN; pastor emeritus Joel Ehlert of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Frankenmuth, MI; Teacher Ryan Rathje, principal at Mt. Olive Luth. School in Mankato, MN; and Teacher George Kellermann, at Trinity Ev. Lutheran School, West Bend, WI.

Miscellaneous

The synod adopted the Restated Articles of Incorporation for Lutheran Schools of America and its by-laws. Congregations were encouraged to submit nominations for serving on synod boards and committees. The 2008 synod convention dates were set for June 15-19, 2008 at Mankato, Minnesota.

Compiled by the editor