News

Seitz re-elected to sixth term in Minnesota South

With 62 percent of the votes on the first ballot, Dr. Lane R. Seitz of Savage, Minn., was re-elected president of the LCMS Minnesota South District at its 74th convention June 8-10 on the campus of Concordia University, St. Paul, Minn.

Seitz, 59, is beginning his sixth three-year term as president.

Delegates re-elected four vice presidents, although not to the same vice presidencies they previously held. They are:

Rev. Gerhard Bode, Hutchinson, Minn., first vice president;
Dr. Larry Griffin, Janesville, Minn., second vice president;
Rev. Evan Schiller, Holland, Minn., third vice president; and
Rev. Klemet Preus, Plymouth, Minn., fourth vice president.

Seitz, the vice presidents, and others elected at the convention will be installed during an Aug. 27 service in Mankato, Minn.

Among adopted resolutions, the delegates voted to encourage all Minnesota South LCMS congregations to support the districtwide “It’s Time to Fish” mission-initiative campaign. The action acknowledges the continuing need for funds to support outreach to the large numbers of people from other states and countries moving into the district.

Another adopted resolution supports the LCMS National Youth Gathering. The measure expresses appreciation to the LCMS Board for District and Congregational Services — Youth Ministry office for “its faithfulness in providing the opportunity for our youth to participate and gather at [national gatherings] every three years since 1980.” It also encourages congregations to support their members who plan to participate in the 2007 LCMS National Youth Gathering in Orlando, Fla.

Minnesota South delegates addressed the selection of members to the Synod’s Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) by passing a resolution affirming the broad-based appointment process called for in Synod Bylaw 3.9.2.1.1. That resolution requests that the matter of the number of members on the CCM be referred to the LCMS Commission on Structure.

A separate adopted resolution calls for Synod in convention to overrule a CCM opinion pertaining to the Synod president’s duty to “call up for review” the activities of officers, executives, and agencies of the Synod. The resolution quotes a Synod bylaw specifying that the president shall “call up for review” within the administrative sphere of his powers and duties, not in the ecclesiastical sphere, any action which may be in violation of the constitution, bylaws and resolutions of the Synod.

Delegates also approved memorializing the Synod convention to overrule CCM opinions 02-2296 and 02-2309. Those opinions have to do with actions taken by a member of the Synod based on the full knowledge and approval of the member’s ecclesiastical supervisor.

Two adopted resolutions speak to worship in the Synod.

One of those receives new worship material in the Synod’s Lutheran Service Book “with thanksgiving” and calls for congregations to consider using the new resource and to participate in an introductory process that begins with workshops this fall.

The other resolution urges Minnesota South congregations to follow worship practices in line with the Synod’s doctrine. It calls for the Synod president, Council of Presidents, colleges, universities, and the LCMS Commission on Worship to explore ways for those with diverse viewpoints about worship to hold discussions “for the purpose of building greater understanding of our theology and worship.”