# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S486
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

486 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

Lutheran Church. It shall work together closely with the Presi-
dent of Synod.

8) It shall be the duty of the committee to keep the constitu-
ency of Synod informed as to its activities.

h) The committee shall annually submit a budget to the Board

of Directors of Synod for recommendation and reference to the
Fiscal Conference.

Norte: This took care of item IV in Memorial 601.

Creation of New Districts in Synod
(Unprinted Memorial 33)
ACTION
Committee 6 brought in the following resolution, which was
adopted:
Resolution 42

Wuereas, The Houston Convention authorized the College of
Presidents to develop criteria for consideration when the organiza-
tion of new Districts is being contemplated (Proceedings, pages 469
and 470); and

Wuereas, The College of Presidents in an unprinted memorial
presented the following criteria:

1. The unifying principle that is basic in Synod’s constitution,
the supreme authority of the Word, should never be ignored.
Object one of Synod, namely, “The conservation and promotion
of the unity of the true faith . . . and a united defense against
schism and sectarianism” (Synod’s Const., Art. III, 1) emphasizes
that principle. There is always the danger of dividing Synod ad-
ministratively into so many small units that it becomes increasingly
difficult to conserve and promote the unity of the true faith. The
danger of developing splinter groups increases as more and more
smaller Districts are organized. The Praesidium of Synod is to be
represented at every District convention to serve as one of the
unifying elements of our administrative setup. Every new District
means more demands upon the Praesidium of Synod to be rep-
resented at District conventions. In view of these factors, be sure
that the reasons for the division are compelling.

2. The need of decentralizing in order to bring Synod admin-
istratively closer to the congregations should always be a consid-
eration (Article VIII and Article V, B).

This need can become particularly evident where the District
is geographically or numerically a large District. Before deciding
to divide the District to meet this need, consideration should be
given to the following suggestions: