2nd Triennial General Conference

• Presentation of the ELCM Rosters of Pastors, Licensed Ministers and Congregations. One amendment made. In the USA - 12 Voting Pastors, 2 Associate Pastors; 4 Voting congregations, 2 Voting Mission congregations. Global Member Synods - In India:Lutheran Fellowship of India (LFI)reporting 12 congregations with 3 additional Mission points and 8 clergy, Christhu Sudha Communications and Ministries(CSCM)reporting 95 Congregations and 65 clergy , Lutheran Church of the Cross(LCC)reporting 7 congregations and 4 clergy, India National Lutheran Church(INLC) reporting 17 congregations. In Africa (Kenya) - Evangelical Lutheran Fellowship of Africa(ELFA) reporting 6 congregations and 4 clergy. While ELCM is still a tiny mustard seed configuration the growth has been very steady and significant since the first ELCM Triennial held in 2002 and especially since our establishment in September 1999. The Presidents of LFI and CSCM in attendance at the Triennial joined us with full voice and voting privileges and represented the congregations and pastors of there respective ELCM Synods.
• Special Guests were introduced. The Rev. John Ponnala and The Rev. Sureka Nevlavala, both ordained pastors of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church of Andhra Pradesh, India and residing in Frederick, MD attended as observers. Both are in the USA for additional academic studies. President Steward requested that these pastors give special greetings on behalf of ELCM to the AELC President, Dr. V.E. Christopher. Special greetings were received from President Christopher via Dr. Benerjee of CSCM who holds dual AELC rostering and is a member of the AELC Council. Two applicants for ELCM Rostering were also introduced and welcomed.
• Action by unanimous consensus was taken that in the future rostered pastors who do not attend the Triennial General Conference of meetings of the Ministerium and who have not sought to be excused be removed from the roster of ELCM.
• The ELCM Financial Reports for the Triennium ended were presented, reviewed, accepted and the recommendation for the coming triennium annual budgets to be essentially the same as for the 2004 Budget year was moved and seconded with final action deferred until the Sunday Morning Session of the Triennial.
• The Triennial was recessed until Saturday morning July 16 at 8:00 A.M. at the Faith Frankstown location.
• Closing devotions and prayer followed the order of Evening Suffrages in the SBH.

• 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. Registration and Fellowship
• 7:00 P.M. Service Book & Hymnal Vesper Word and Sacrament Worship - President Steward preached the Sermon based upon the texts of Joshua 24:14-24 and John 7:37-38. President Ravi Prasad of LFI; President Dr. D.C.M. Benerjee and Pastor Robbie Taylor assisted.
• 7:50 P.M. The Order for the Opening of Synod was observed.

  8:00 P.M. Delegates and visitors divided into 3 groupings for small group meetings for purposes of getting acquainted and determining items for discussion - Groups were as follows: Women of ELCM (WELCM), Men of ELCM (MELCM), and The Ministerium of ELCM.

• 8:30 P.M. Session I of Triennial held.

• The Agenda was changed due to a failure of computer equipment to copy a .ppt file to disk for presenting the Power Point presentations.
• President Steward Reported to Synod on the past Triennium and reviewed the Text of Dr. James Galezewski's Power Point Presentation on the Lutheran Center in America from a Historical perspective (past, present and future).
• The assigned topic for a two part presentation was the Establishment of New ELCM Congregations. Newly ordained Pastor Terry Culler, serving an ELCA congregation in Hagerstown, MD entitled his presentation "Natural Church Development in the Evangelical Lutheran Conference & Mininisterium". He utilized an overhead projector and essentially challenged "Lutheran Theology, Catechesis, and Praxis" in existing congregations. His resource and basis was a booklet entitled "The ABC's of Natural Church Development" by Christian A. Schwarz.

  [The presentation was very much in a Church growthist orientation and for those who had historic memory it seemed very much the same as former LCA "Key 73 Evangelism Explosion" emphasis. The focus of the presentation was essentially aimed at existing ELCM congregations (all of which are successful mission or renewal efforts based upon Confessional Lutheran understandings, liturgy and principles) where in considerable insight into genuine Lutheran Mission has been acquired. At the end of presentation #2 (Saturday Evening - July 16) the presentations by Rev. Culler elicited strong debate and rebuttal. This reaction came not only from the ELCM pastors but also from the ELCM Lay delegates. The debate and rebuttal served a good purpose ultimately in leading to a strong reaffirmation of basic ELCM organizational and Theological principles as set forth in the Bylaws of the ELCM Constitution. ]

• The items for the afternoon session at the Barley Ev. Lutheran Church were reviewed especially the ongoing discussion on the existing ELCM policy regarding the ordination of Women. Pastor Sureka Nevlavala asked permission of the President with the approval of the Synod to speak on the topic in the coming 3rd session of the Synod based upon a book she had prepared relating to the cultural setting in India.
• Request was made for an opportunity for reports to be made concerning the ministries and life in each of the ELCM Congregations.
• Report was given on the agenda item of a proposed request for action concerning the Claus Harms House of Studies in Chicago. In this report it was made known that Dr. Galezewski (ELCM rostered), Dr. Oliver Olson, and Pr. Gerald Nerenhausen were no longer participating in the Claus Harms House effort. Thus given the fact that these three highly respected (in our view) men were no longer a part of the effort all further consideration of "Claus Harms House as an approved Seminary for ELCM students" without objection was discontinued and removed from the agenda.
• Closing devotions and prayer followed using the order of General Suffrages in the SBH and the Synod was recessed until 1:30 P.M. at the Barley Evangelical Lutheran Church facilities.

• 8:00 A.M. Opening Prayer - Morning Suffrages from the SBH.
• 8:15 A.M. Presidents Report to Synod and review of Text of Dr. James Galezewski Presentation on the Lutheran Center in America from a Historical perspective.
• 9:30 A.M. Presentation on Establishing New ELCM Congregations
• Recess in order to travel to Barley Ev. Lutheran Church facilities.

Session III Triennial General Conference Synod Presentations, discussions and actions

• Report was given by the President on the matter of Women in Ordained Ministry from the 2002 Triennial General Conference and from the discussions of the ELCM Ministerium held in 2004.

  Current ELCM policy adopted in November 1999 allows for Ordained Women Pastors with the condition that such be truly Sola Scriptura in focus. In accord with the action of the previous Triennial General Conference - The Ministerium after study of the matter affirmed continuing with the present policy believing that the present qualification guards against an influx of "Feminist oriented clergy." President Steward pointed out that there are a variety of texts in Scripture some clearly "con" and some appearing "pro." Dr. Luther's comments were also studied and though Luther was opposed to ordaining women he did suggest a number of texts that proponents could, in his view, have used to support the praxis. Those texts were studied.

  President Steward then spent time setting forth our clear ELCM understanding of "Sola Scriptura" (as the qualifier), namely that All of Scripture is God' Immutable and infallible Word TO MAN as distinguished from those who emphasize Sola Scriptura but who really mean "Mans inspired attempt to say something about God in the culture of the day".

  It was at this point with the approval of the Synod that Pastor Surekha Nevlavala was permitted to speak to the Triennial on the subject. Rev. Nevlavala based here comments upon a book that she authored entitled, Paradigms of Authority in the New Testament: Womens Perspective, 2002 Cambridge Press. It was clear by the end of her presentation that while she was emphasizing "Sola Scriptura" the emphasis finally was a variation of "Mans inspired attempt to say something about God in the culture of the day" approach. The revealing portion was her reflection on God - that believers need to "image" God as other than "Father." It was interesting to learn of the very difficult plight of women in India and also to learn that there are relatively few women pastors and that these are not called as Pastors of congregations but are called to special "desks" or special Ministries.

  Upon the conclusion of the remarks by Rev. Surekha, The Triennial General Conference was invited to submit further motions on the subject. It was emphasized by the President that a motion would be necessary to overturn the present ELCM policy and would need consensus approval. If there was no consensus approval by the congregations and pastors present to overturn or change the current Policy then the present policy with the Qualifier of "Sola Scriptura" as understood by ELCM remains the ELCM policy.

  A motion was made and seconded to amend the present ELCM policy stipulating that all candidates/ applicants for ELCM ordination or rostering (Male or Female) be truly Sola Sciptura, in accord with the ELCM understanding of Sola Scriptura, in orientation. It was noted by President Steward that this has been the actual practice of ELCM but that this official action makes it very clear that the same standard is applied to all. The rostered pastors and congregations were polled and the vote was unanimous consensus to amend the present ELCM Policy with the stipulation that all male candidates also be required to be Sola Scriptura in orientation.

• Pastor Mark Isaacs Reported on a Proposed Germany centered ELCM Lutheran Reformation Course. We have an ELCM member who owns a travel agency and has the connections throughout Europe and thus it would be possible for us to set up a 4 to 5 week course which could focus upon the Reformation. The Course could be accredited for full academic credit through one of the Seminaries with whom we have a connection. Significant interest was expressed in such a course and there was a consensus approval of pursuing this direction.
• There was unanimous consensus affirmation of ELCM Executive Board action that ELCM not place further primary focus upon establishing relations with other Lutherans in North America or upon seeking to convince those leaving the ELCA to join ELCM but that ELCM make the major focus the establishment of new ELCM Congregations.
• Pastor Robbie Taylor of St. Thomas, Streetsboro, OH. Reported on an ELCM Hymnal project that he has undertaken. Many historic American Lutheran Liturgies are now in the public domain and he has been at work preparing a new Hymnal drawing from the best of these historic Lutheran Liturgies to develop an ELCM Hymnal. The former Common Service Book and Hymnal of the ULCA and the former Hymnal introduced to the General Council and General Synod are being used as base foundations. There was consensus approval of the ongoing Hymnal project.
• Pastor Robbie Taylor Reported on a proposed ELCM Deaconess/Deacons approach for ELCM Congregations that has been developed for use in the St. Thomas Congregation. There was general consensus approval of this approach to making use of the special Ministry gifts that women and men bring to the life of the ELCM congregations. This would not be a Church wide Deaconess program but would be a model for congregational ministry.
• Discussion was opened on the Missions portion of the proposed new Triennium Budgets for discussion, motions and action.

  It was reported that ELCM has now successfully built up the target amount of $20,000.00 for a special reserve fund per the goal set by the 2002 Triennial General Conference. It was reported that we should in the future have more funding available for support of American Missions and for Global Missions in supplement of direct Mission support being remitted by ELCM Congregations.

  In Discussion that followed: One suggestion was that we establish a special Missions distribution Committee rather than have the ELCM Executive Board distribute the Mission funds. No motion or action was taken in regard to this suggestion. A motion was made that we allocate $8,000.00 in our yearly budgets for the coming Triennium for Mission efforts to be divided between American Missions and global missions in supplement to the Mission support remitted directly by ELCM Congregations. All were reminded that the Mission needs are considerable as set forth by our affiliate Synods in Kenya and in India and that the costs for establishing each new Mission in North America is very large. ELCM's tiny resources can only make tiny beginnings until our congregational resource base is expanded. Action on the motion was deferred until the Sunday Morning Session of the Triennial.

• Closing prayer was followed by return travel to the Faith Lutheran Frankstown facility for a Covered dish supper prepared by WELCM members of the Faith and Barley Lutheran Congregations.

• 12:15 P.M. Luncheon in the Barley Pavilion by the Barley WELCM
• 1:30 P.M. Opening Session Prayer in the Barley Church Nave.
• Women in Ordained Ministry discussion continued from the 2002 Triennial General Conference.
• Report on Proposed Germany centered ELCM Lutheran Reformation Course by Pastor Isaacs of St. Paul Lutheran, Rhinebeck, New York.
• Affirmation of ELCM Executive Board action that ELCM not place further primary focus upon establishing relations with other Lutherans in North America or upon seeking to convince those leaving the ELCA to join ELCM but that ELCM make the major focus the establishment of new ELCM Congregations.
• Report on ELCM Hymnal project by Pastor Robbie Taylor of St. Thomas, Streetsboro, OH.
• Report on proposed ELCM Deaconess approach for ELCM Congregations by Pastor Robbie Taylor.
• Opening of the Mission portion of the proposed new Triennium Budgets for discussion, motions and action.

Session IV Triennial General Conference Synod Presentations, discussions and actions

The ELCM First ballot for officers for the Coming Triennium were announced and there was no need for a second ballot - President elect - Pastor Roy A. Steward, Vice President elect - Mr. Dennis Stiffler, Secretary elect - Miss Audrey Anderson, Treasurer elect - Mr. Matthew Lindsey (son of the deceased ELCM Treasurer - Jack Lindsey). The ELCM Ministerium Dean elected by the Ministerium in April 2004 is Pastor Russell N. Burr.

A truly inspiring Power Point Presentation was made by President Prasad of the Lutheran Fellowship of India. LFI has more than doubled in size since being received as an ELCM Affiliate Synod in India. We learned a great deal about the starting of new Mission congregations through the sharing by President Prasad. Written reports on LFI work were printed in Convention Book. LFI has been very successful in reaching out to people of Hindu and Islamic backgrounds. LFI President Prasad also the President of ELCM's General Council in India "Evangelical - Lutheran Council - India (ELC-I). Report was given of the distribution of Tsunami relief funds from ELCM congregations by LFI.

An equally inspiring Power Point Presentation was made by President Benerjee concerning the work Christhu Sudha Communications and Ministries. ELCM pastors and congregation delegates e learned valuable additional valuable insight into Mission work from the sharing by Dr. Benerjee. Written reports were printed in Convention Book. President Benerjee also serves as the Treasurer of ELCM's General Council in India "Evangelical - Lutheran Council - India (ELC-I). Report was given of the distribution of Tsunami relief funds from ELCM congregations by CSCM. CSCM is engaged in special Orphanage efforts and in Medical Ministries. Dr. Benerjee also provides a wonderful unofficial connection for ELCM with the AELC in Andhra Pradesh. He is an AELC pastor serving on the Council of the AELC.

Written report by President Kugeria of ELFA printed in Convention Book. ELFA officials were not enabled to be present with us for the Triennial but submitted a detailed report on the initial work that has been undertaken. They like our ELCM brethren in India are engaged in significant Mission efforts which are a wonderful example and challenge to those of us here in our tiny ELCM - North America.

Written report by President Bonigal of LCC were sent in VCD format but we were unable to open the files.

We were not able at this point to receive a report from our affiliate Synod in North India (INLC) though a significant report and application materials were received from Mr. Hans U. Asher, President of INLC. After reviewing the application materials the Council of ELCM Presidents attending the Triennial (President Steward, President Prasad, and President Benerjee) have recommended to the ELCM Executive Board that Mr. Asher be approved for licensing as an ELCM Pastor and for eventual Ordination. He was instrumental in preserving a core of INLC from a "Church of God - India" Take-over. He has kept that core of congregations and leaders in our Centrist Lutheran fellowship. Pastor Asher will be the INLC voting representative on the "Evangelical - Lutheran Council (India)."

Presentation # 2 on the assigned topic of "the Planting of New ELCM Congregations" was made by Rev. T. Culler. As mentioned above the presentation was a departure from the assigned topic and focus. Much that was emphasized in the presenation was in contradiction of the experience of our ELCM congregations and pastors as well as in conflict with basic ELCM organizational principles as stipulated in the Bylaws of the ELCM Constitution. At the conclusion of the presentation President Steward opened debate on the subject matter, the assumptions, theology, and practices emphasized in the two parts of the presentations. Lively debate ocurred. Lay leaders of the ELCM congregations fully took part in the discussion as did the other pastors of ELCM who were present.

Closing devotions concluded the evening utilizing the Evening Suffrages of the SBH and the Triennial Synod was recessed until the Sunday morning July 17 Session.

• 6:00 P.M. Covered Dish Supper Fellowship
• 7:00 P.M. Special Gifts of Honor (shawls and Garlands) presentation to all ELCM Pastors and Applicants from the Pastors of CSCM.
• ELCM elections first ballot for the Coming Triennium - President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer.
• Reports by ELCM Global Synods
  • Power Point Presentation by President Prasad of LFI. Written reports printed in Convention Book
  • Power Point Presentation by President Benerjee of CSCM. Written reports printed in Convention Book
  • Written report by President Kugeria of ELFA printed in Convention Book
  • Written report by President Bonigal of LCC not discovered until post Triennial but included here.
• Presentation # 2 Planting of New ELCM Congregations by Rev. T. Culler
• Closing devotions and recessing until Sunday morning July 17 Session.

Session V Triennial General Conference Synod
Presentations, discussions and actions

• Reports on the Ministries of ELCM Congregations
• Report on Luther League Ministry and Camp Sonrise Annual Event was given by Pastor Isaacs. Camp Sonrise is located in the New York Adirondack Mountain area on the shore of Schroon Lake. It is an LC-MS Camp and has offered a wonderful first week in August Youth Ministry event. St. Paul's has been taking a large contingent of Luther Leaguers to the event and our other ELCM congregations are encouraged to take their Youth to the annual event.
• Pastor Isaac Reported on significant Benefits of a Trip to Germany by members of St. Paul's, Rhinebeck.
• Report was made by the Women of ELCM (WELCM). A WELCM Chat room on the Internet that will be private for WELCM members is in the process of being set up in order to continue to build the good contacts that have been made through the WELCM groups of our congregations.
• Under Unfinished Business of the Triennial
  • The Budget proposals were brought before the Triennial Synod. There was consensus to approve an amount of $8,000.00 each year for Missions to supplement the Mission support sent directly from the congregations. It was also the consensus to allow the distribution to be determined by the Executive Board of ELCM. There was consensus to accept the other budget areas as recommended by the Executive Board at the same levels as in the 2004 year budget. The Congregations and pastors were polled and the vote was unanimous.
• President Steward spent the final moments of the morning Session in Rebuttal (citing the Biblical texts and ELCM Organizational principles set forth in the ELCM Constitution) to several of the items set forth in "Planting of New ELCM Congregations" presentation. Brief debate followed with more time for ongoing debate scheduled to follow in the final Afternoon Session of the Triennial General Conference.

  Presidents rebuttal:

  • To the assertion that the Church must go out and seek the "cheese" that is attractive to others in order to grow and be effective.
  • To the assertion that Shepherd's do not make sheep, that only sheep make sheep or give birth to sheep, he emphasized that while such an analogy might make sense to natural propagation it is in fact contrary to the Biblical and Confessional witness since we are not born as sheep but as sinners (wolves) - enemies of God. Only the Word of God as it is purely proclaimed and rightly administered changes sinners (wolves) into sheep. The under shepherds of Christ are the specific persons in accord with our Lord's great Commission who are called to "Make disciples." The Great Commission from Jesus is literally spoken to the first Pastors of the Church (Not to the entire Church). ELCM's organizational principles stipulate that the office of Pastor is that of Under shepherd" to Christ and is not "hireling of the congregation." President Steward pointed out that this has been an area of great difference between Lutherans in America and that ELCM'organizationalal principles have made it clear as to our stance and all rostering in ELCM are asked to affirm that they agree with the basic ELCM positions. [ELCM attempts to make all basic principles very clear in the entrance questionnaire for pastors and congregations in order to refer those who indicate positions contrary to ELCM's positions to look at other Denominational alternatives.]
  • To the assertion that the Pastor is to be primarily the "enabler" and "community facilitator" President Steward responded that the Pastor is to be primarily the Catechist (Preacher and Teacher) to the Congregation and that it is God's Word and Sacraments that are the Means! The Lutheran Confessions are the Correct witness and exposition of God's Word and boiling away the essentials of The Lutheran Confessional Witness in order to find cheese somewhere else for people is exactly the tragic effort engaged in by the likes of S.S. Schmucker et. al.

  In response to the Presidents rebuttal: Rev. Culler emphasized that in his view that President Steward's commentary was advocating "Apostolic succession."

  President Steward response: The ELCM Organizational Principles set forth in the Constitution proclaim

  • that God establishes the office of Ministry (not the congregation or the Priesthood of all believers),
  • that God chooses some to be Pastors and others for other tasks (the congregation or community of believers affirms the Divine Call),
  • though All are potentially pastors (under shepherd's) by the Baptism nonetheless it is not given to everyone (not all are called by God) to be under shepherd's with the chief mission to catechize (Preach and Teach),
  • We affirm that "the Call" is conferred by God and the Call is then "verified" or "attested" by the community of believers (not by an unbroken chain of laying on of hands), and
  • True Apostolic succession is the passing on of Apostolic Faith (Catechizing concerning Word and Sacrament.)
• At 9:30 A.M. we recessed for Fellowship and Preparation for Worship.
• 10:00 A.M. Triennial Word and Sacrament Worship
• Closing devotions and prayer followed the order of Evening Suffrages in the SBH.

• 8:00 A.M. Opening Prayer
• Reports on the Ministries of ELCM Congregations
• Report on Luther League Ministry and Camp Sonrise Annual Event
• Report on Benefits of Trip to Germany by St. Paul's, Rhinebeck
• Report on Women of ELCM meetings
• Unfinished Business of the Triennial
• Rebuttal to certain Biblical and Theological presentations in the presentations on the assigned topic of "establishing new ELCM Congregations."
• 9:30 A.M. Fellowship and Preparation for Worship.
• 10:00 A.M. Triennial Word and Sacrament Worship
• 12:00 P.M. Final Meal of the Triennial at Faith Frankstown Rd. Facility.

Session VI - 2nd Triennial General Conference Synod

Session VI Triennial General Conference Synod
Presentations, discussions and actions

• 1:30 P.M. Unfinished Business - There were no further items raised for consideration and no unfinished items remained on the table for further action. Rostered Pastors and Delegates of the congregations remaining, however did not seem ready to leave.
• Special expressions of thanks and appreciation were made to the WELCM Ladies of Barley and Faith Lutheran Congregations.
• Continued discussion took place concerning various Theological items
  • (1)concerning the lively discussions of the Saturday evening and the Sunday morning sessions. It was the consensus of all remaining that the discussions and debate had been very productive in affirming the positions of our ELCM.
  • (2)Affirmation was expressed by congregational delegates and pastors concerning the Catechesis regarding Holy Baptism set forth in the Sunday morning Worship Bulletin for the 2 Baptisms celebrated at our Triennial General Conference Worship.
• The 2nd Triennial General Conference of ELCM adjourned and we closed with the order for the Closing of a Synod. The Next (3rd) Triennial General Conference of ELCM will be held in 2008, Lord willing.

• 1:30 P.M. Unfinished Business
• Continued discussion of Theological items
• The 2nd Triennial General Conference of ELCM adjournment
• 1:30 P.M. Unfinished Business
• Continued discussion of Theological items
• The order for the Closing of a Synod.