# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1983_S223 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) STRUCTURE AND CONSTITUTION 223 5-40 To Allow Each Congregation in a Multiple Parish to Vote in District Conventions WHEREAS, The Synod has allowed every parishina multiple parish to have a lay congregational vote in a Circuit Forum; therefore be it Resolved, That each congregation ina multiple parish have a lay congregational vote at the District conventions. Circuit 14 Forum Kansas District Richard J. Kaczer, Counselor 5-41A To Allow Lay Ministers to Vote WHEREAS, the lay minister program at Concordia, Milwau- kee, is a genuine blessing to our Synod; and WHEREAS, More congregations of the Kansas District are calling lay ministers to serve them; and WHEREAS, The current Constitution of the Synod (Article V, page 13) says that “every congregation or parish is entitled to two votes”; therefore be it Resolved, That the Board of Theology ofthe Kansas District study the relationship of the congregational franchise and the pastoral office in respect to lay ministers; and be it further Resolved, That the Board of Theology report their findings to the 1985 Kansas District convention; and be it finally Resolved, That the 1982 Kansas District convention of the LCMS submit this resolution to the next LCMS convention to change the appropriate Handbook regulations to allow male lay ministers serving alone in congregations and performing all the functions of the pastoral office the privilege of voting at District and synodical conventions as the pastoral delegate of their congregation(s). Kansas District Harvey Hannemann, Secretary Identical or similar: 5-41B Circuit 14 Forum, Kansas District Richard Kaczor 5-42 To Place the Department of Stewardship and Financial Support Under a Separate Elected Board WuereEas, Past and present structure in the LCMS has shown that synodical committees, boards, and departments function best when relating to an elected board; and WHEREAS, The stewardship aspect of the Department of Stewardship and Financial Support calls for expertise and specialization in the area of stewardship theology: and WHEREAS, The establishment of a Board for Stewardship and Financial Support with its own elected board would be consistent with the operation of other major synodical boards and commissions; and WHEREAS, The present structure in operation in the Synod uses elected boards relating to major departments rather than relating directly to the Board of Directors of the Synod; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod create a separate Board of Stewardship and Financial Support with the staff of the department reportable to this newly created board; and be it further Resolved, That the board members be elected at this convention along with other boards and committees. Board of Directors Minnesota South District Robert G. Bailey, Secretary 5-43 To Restructure Boards for Mission and Evangelism Services WHEREAS, The Districts administer the mission program in their area with little official interaction with each other; and WHEREAS, The unique mission programs of overseas and home missions are difficult to keep in perspective for a single synodical board; and WHEREAS, A unified approach for the aims and activities of North American Missions and Evangelism would be beneficial to the Synod; and WHEREAS, It is difficult to relate to other Lutheran and Christian church bodies who divide their mission structure into Home and Overseas Mission; therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod separate North American Missions from the existing overall Mission Department; and be it further Resolved, That North American Missions and the Evangel- ism Department be structured under a new Home Mission Board; and be it finally Resolved, That the membership ofthe Home Mission Board be comprised of representatives from geographical regions. Board of Directors Minnesota South District Robert G. Bailey, Secretary 5-44 To Change Name of BPES WHEREAS. The name of the board responsible for coordi- nation of higher education activities in the Synod was changed at the last synodical convention from the Board for Higher Education to the Board for Professional Education Services: and WHEREAS, This change of name has caused and still causes confusion. as it is called by some the Board for Parish Education Services, confusing it with the present Board for Parish Services, formerly the Board of Parish Education: and WHEREAS. The responsibilities of the Board for Professional Education Services are broader and include the encourage- ment of “the congregations of the Synod and their member- ships to take the fullest advantage of the opportunities for Lutheran lay higher education available at the colleges and seminaries of the Synod” (Bylaw 2.233 n); therefore be it Resolved, That the Board for Professional Education Ser- vices be officially redesignated as the Board for Higher Education Services; and be it finally Resolved, That the necessary changes be made in the Handbook of the Synod where references are presently made to the Board for Professional Education Services. Board for Professional Education Services Walter L. Rosin, Executive Secretary 5-45 To Change Name of Board for Youth Services WHEREAS. Young people by virtue of their Baptism are part of the priesthood of all believers and arein ministry to others as part of the body of Christ: and