# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S487
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 487

a. Strengthen the circuit organization so that through the cir-
cuit workers the work of Synod is brought home to the congre-
gations;

b. Offer more specialized leadership on the District level;

c. Spread committee and board representation over a wider
area in the District.

3. All possible gifts and talents should be made available and
be used for the common good.

The District convention may have become so large and un-
wieldy that only a few have the opportunity to be heard. There-
fore a division of the District is desired. Before such a division
is decided upon, study should be made of the District convention
program so that more of the delegates can and will participate in
the work and discussion. The question should be faced: Is organ-
ization of a new District the only or at least the best way to put
more gifts and talents to work for the Lord? Be sure to consider
suggestions given under 2, a. b. c. above.

4, Outstanding mission opportunities in a given area could be
a valid consideration for the organization of a new District.

A population trend in a certain area may open up mission
opportunities which a new District could meet more successfully
owing to the fact that the mother District and its administrative
headquarters are rather far removed from the new area. In such
a situation the Board for Home Missions in North and South Amer-
ica should be drawn into consultation. One of the questions that
will have to be answered on the basis of a thorough study is: Will
a new District be able to develop this work more intensively than
under the present arrangement?

5. The financial ability of the new District that is being con-
templated should receive consideration.

Questions that must be thoroughly studied and properly an-
swered are the following:

a. Will the new District have to draw a large subsidy from
Synod? Here again the Board for Missions in North and South
America shall be consulted.

b. Will this subsidy be justified by the expansion opportunities
that are being offered?

c. Will the demands upon the new District for work in its own
midst be so great that the support of Synod will suffer?

d. Will the new District be able to build up a Church Exten-
sion Fund that is adequate to the demands to be made upon it?