Delegates to the LCMS Central Illinois District’s 55th convention, July 9-11 in Springfield, Ill., re-elected Rev. David J. Bueltmann of Springfield to his 
fourth term as district president.
Bueltmann, 64, was re-elected on the first ballot.
Also elected were:
- Rev. Donald F. Pritchard, Pleasant Plains, Ill., first vice president.
- Rev. Daniel Bishop, Arenzville, Ill., second vice president.
Bueltmann and other district officers were installed during the convention.
Under the theme “Rise, Shine, for Your Light has Come” (based on Is. 60:1), delegates voted to:
- encourage congregations in several resolutions to be informed about evangelism resources and methods in order to become effective in outreach, use district evangelism resources, and be involved in daily Bible reading.
- urge district congregations and members to support the Latvian Lutheran Church with prayers and special offerings (either through the district or by adopting specific Latvian congregations or church agencies).
- urge congregations and circuits to investigate and establish local deaf-ministry councils to encourage local and regional outreach to the deaf, working with the district’s Mission Commission through a minister at-large for deaf ministry.
- memorialize the 2007 Synod convention to rescind 2004 Resolution 8-01A dealing with ecclesiastical supervision and dispute resolution. The resolution also asks that the LCMS Commission on Structure review the matter and make recommendations a year before the 2010 Synod convention.
- memorialize the Synod convention to rescind 2004 Res. 3-08 on the service of women in the church, asking the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to return to its previous position and seek input on the issue from Synod theological faculties and the Synod at-large.
- memorialize the Synod convention to rescind 2004 Res. 3-06A, which commends the CTCR report on guidelines for participation in civic events, and to assign the CTCR to re-examine those guidelines, especial regarding seriatim (serial) prayers.
- ask the Synod to reaffirm the biblical and confessional position on the Office of the Holy Ministry by reinstating 1995 Res. 3-07A, which was rescinded by a 2001 resolution — in regard to licensed laymen performing the functions of the pastoral office.
- ask the Synod to reaffirm the practice of closed Communion.
- thank the LCMS Commission on Worship for its work on Lutheran Service Book and encourage each district congregation to consider using the new resource in its worship life.
Central Illinois’ was the last of the 35 triennial LCMS district conventions held this year.
Posted July 17, 2006
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