The Second Plenary Session is complete.
First Ballot results opened the Second Plenary Session. 483 legal ballots were cast and 363 votes were needed for a First Ballot election. 358 votes were cast for Bishop Zellmer. There was no election.
Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen led the Second Plenary Bible Study from Luke 16: 1-16.
“It is really easy to go down this path by talking to ourselves, musing only among those with whom we agree. We tend to come to warped conclusions and serve ourselves. No one is there to challenge us. We are experts at playing it safe to justify and protect and help ourselves. Was Jesus so impressed by our ability to do end-runs around ourselves? Wouldn’t it be nice if people spent the same sort of energy being creative for the work of the Lord?
But perhaps we would get in trouble if we stirred things up. That might make us actually have to talk out loud to others. I think that Jesus, who spent his whole vocation screwing people up, is amazed at the energy we spend trying to justify ourselves. He tells us, “You are justified! Act like it! Take a risk!”
We spend so much time trying to avoid death and Good Friday that we spend most of our time there. This is why Assemblies are so great. We come together here. We stop talking only to ourselves and we talk to each other and listen to each other and the Holy Spirit.”
The credentials report was given. At 3:03 p.m., 519 voting members were present – 154 clergy voting members, 365 lay voting members.
Darcie Bien and Carla Borchardt gave speeches as nominees for Vice President of the SD Synod.
Votes were cast:
Darcie Bien: 46 percent
Carla Borchardt: 54 percent
Carla Borchardt is elected Vice President of the SD Synod.
Susan Leddy, Sara Dannen Greff and Steve Koenig gave speeches as nominees for Secretary of the SD Synod.
Votes were cast:
Susan Leddy: 36 percent
Sara Dannen Greff: 38 percent
Steve Koenig: 26 percent
According to the constitution, majority rules apply, so candidates must have 50 percent + 1 of the vote to win. Therefore a second vote for Secretary of SD Synod was cast, with Steve Koenig, who was in third place, removed from the ballot.
Votes were cast:
Susan Leddy: 53 percent
Sara Dannen Greff: 45 percent
Susan Leddy is elected Secretary of the SD Synod.
Rev. Bill Tesch gave a report on the Evangelical Outreach and Multicultural Committees.
“Jesus is the host of our table. Elected by you, we are inviting more people to Christ’s table so we can represent all the little children of the world. Be more together as God’s people and God’s children. We celebrate what God is doing amidst an increasingly diverse and changing context. Thank you for your mission gifts.”
Information on becoming a mission booster and mission partner was presented.
Rev. Rafael Malpica Padilla led the bishop election Second Ballot. The Credentials Committee reported that 521 voting members were present – 155 clergy, 366 lay voting members. There were 7 names on the ballot, so voting devices could be used for Second Ballot.
Second Ballot Bishop Nominees and Results:
- David Zellmer: 338 votes
- Jeff Eisele: 57 votes
- Andrea Degroot-Nesdahl: 68 votes
- Randy Koeller: 9 votes
- Rick Foss: 10 votes
- Jeff Otterman: 7 votes
- Steve Sathre: 2 votes
491 votes were cast with 0 illegal votes. 369 votes were needed for a Second Ballot election. There was no election.
Rev. Patrick Hahn gave the Nominating Committee Report and presented the Synod Elections:
Consultation Committee: 1 Lay Vacancy: Patrick Mikkonen, Mount Vernon
Discipline Committee: 2 Clergy Vacancies: Rev. Bob Hansen, Christ Lutheran, Hartford; Rev. Constanze Hagmaier, Trinity Lutheran, Madison
Synod Council Youth Representative: 1 Vacancy: Matthew Johnson, Gloria Dei, Sioux Falls
Lutheran Social Services Board of Directors: Four Vacancies: Prairie Rivers – James Tharp, Huron (first term); Prairie Coteau – Rev. Carl Larson, American Lutheran, Milbank (first term); Medary – Barb Fishback, Brookings (third term); Bear Butte – Mary Minton, Rapid City (third term)
Rev. David Lund, Resolutions Committee Chair, presented the 2013 Resolutions.
Resolution 1 – Roofs for our Companion Synod in Cameroon: Passed
Resolution 2 – Changes to Compensation and Guidelines: Passed
Resolution 3 – Elect South Dakota Synod Council Members: Passed
Erik Gilbertson gave the Treasurer’s Report and presented the 2014 Mission Plan. See the 2012 SD Synod Auditors’ Report and 2014 Mission Plan for reference.
Rev. Erika Lehmann gave a World Hunger presentation. American Lutheran in Presho was awarded a Holy Cow award for exceptional giving per member. Gloria Dei in Sioux Falls was awarded a Holy Cow award for exceptional faithful giving as a congregation.
Bishop Zellmer closed the Second Plenary Session.
