All 12 of the synod's districts have now completed their conventions. All of the conventions heard and discussed doctrinal essays, received progress reports on the work being done in all areas of the synod's work, and held elections for district positions.

One important topic addressed by every district was the matter of Bible translations. Each district received a progress report from the Translation Evaluation Committee (TEC). The TEC is a special committee given the task of recommending whether or not the NIV 2011 would be suitable for us to use in our synod’s publications. The committee had reported its initial results to the synod convention in 2011, but the delegates to that convention felt that more time for study was needed. The 2011 convention resolved that the TEC should continue its work; bring a report to the district conventions in 2012; and that delegates to district conventions in 2012 were to vote regarding a translation choice, using a ballot prepared by the synod presidium (president and two vice presidents). The 2011 convention also indicated that the voting was to be tabulated as total votes rather than by district. For any translation to be selected, it would need to receive a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

Since new information indicated that a translation decision would not need to be made in 2012, the synod presidium prepared a ballot that included four choices: The English Standard Version (ESV), the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), and the NIV 2011. The fourth choice was to delay selection of a translation until the synod convention in 2013.

Here are the results of the voting:

Total votes cast: 2167
Delay the decision: 1621 (74.8%)
ESV: 148 (6.8%)
HCSB: 38 (1.7%)
NIV 2011: 360 (16.6%)

This means that the discussions and evaluations of existing translations will continue. A final decision may be made by the 2013 synod convention in New Ulm, Minn. That decision could involve the selection of an existing translation; it could also possibly include the option to produce a new or revised translation by Lutherans.

New/revised Bible translation
A progress report was also brought by the Translation Feasibility Committee (TFC). This committee was given the task of exploring whether a new or revised Lutheran translation would be feasible. It has been working to explore the various processes that could be used to produce a new or revised translation and has also been working to identify what such a project would take in terms of funding and manpower. Estimates of cost and manpower requirements will vary greatly, depending on what kind of process is chosen and on whether the translation would be completely new or a revision of an existing translation. A revision would require significantly less in terms of funding and time required.

Because of the complicated questions and many details involved, the TFC also expressed its view that it would need additional time to complete its work. Now that the selection of a translation has been delayed, that additional needed time will be available and the TFC will continue its work. It plans to bring a final report to the 2013 synod convention.

A second task given to the TFC was to explore the feasibility of producing a WELS Study Bible to accompany any translation that might be chosen. Its findings will also be a part of its final report.

Serving in Christ,

Mark Schroeder