A Convention Wrap-Up (Part 1)

The back “spill over” tables at Mo’s in Milwaukee.

The 68th Convention of the LCMS has come to a close. While we can always lament the fact that more wasn’t done in certain areas of our Synod, we can rejoice in a good confession that was made throughout the week. Faithful men were elected as Vice-Presidents and to the Board of Directors. The CTCR that will be tasked to deal with the hot-button issues of the day has solid theologians to work those things out. The resolutions that needed to pass passed without significant amendment. We are moving in the right direction.

We also rejoice that each time we gathered for worship (whether Divine Service or the hours of the day), it was conducted reverently and in order. That stands on equal grounds as the resolutions that were passed and the men who were elected to serve. If you have not yet seen the opening Divine Service, I highly recommend it to you. It is a testament as to how far we have come in restoring historic practice amongst the brethren rather than having various settings of the Divine Service blended together or the lack of the Divine Service altogether. There was no “speak/sing” going on. There was never a time when it felt like there were two different things going on with one participant conducting himself reverently while another was there for a show. Again, we can nitpick here and there about not bowing or genuflecting or about having 27 Communion “stations,” but I believe we can all confess that had 2010 not happened, the worship of 2023 would have certainly looked much, much differently. We have much to be thankful for.

We at Gottesdienst were thankful to have so many of you come out to Mo’s Irish Pub for a relaxing evening of food, drinks, and conversation. As witnessed that evening in a packed pub, the Gottesdienst Crowd is ever growing. The conversations that I had with many of you were encouraging. I pray that you continue faithfully where God has called you and know that there are others out there fighting the same battles that you are. Hopefully during the week in Milwaukee, you met others who will give encouragement and support as you do the work of Christ in His Church. In my subsequent post, I will bring up the refrain of the convention that I believe is at the root of us not “walking together.” Until then, peace be with you.