# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S234
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

234 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

California and Nevada District, that we memorialize
the Synod assembled in convention at Denver, Colorado,
that the procedures in Section 1.53 of the synodical
Bylaws be reappraised to allow more flexibility, so that
the intent of the procedures can be met without the
expenditure of funds for travel.

TRENTON R. Ferro, Circuit Counselor
(5-16)

To Seek Ways of Extending Franchise
to Campus Worship Communities

Wuereas, The convention structures of The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod do not follow the
developing thrust in the church’s mission, thus disen-
franchizing an increasing number of its constituency,
both pastors and laity, in specialized ministries (e.g.,
campus ministry, deaf, institutional, military); and

Wuereas, Campus pastors serve university people
who form a community gathered about Word and sac-
rament but are unconstituted; and

Wuereas, The aforementioned have no vote in the
decisions which are made at District and synodical
conventions which directly affect their life and mission;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the campus pastors assembled at the
Consultation on Campus Ministry in St. Louis request
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, in convention
in Denver, to give attention to this problem and find
ways and means to extend the franchise at synodical
and District conventions to campus pastors and their
worshiping communities.

FuLLt-Time Campus PasToRS CONFERENCE
REUBEN BAERWALD, Chairman

(5-17)

To Experiment with Representation
at District Conventions

Wuereas, There is growing concern and petitioning
by various ministries within the Synod for a more rep-
resentative form and franchise at District conventions;
and

Wuereas, There is a historical background for a bal-
ance of power between clergy and laity at delegate meet-
ings; and

WHEREAS, There is already recognition of the teaching
ministry with equal representation on various boards
and committees but without franchise at conventions;
and

Wuereas, There is recognition of the fact that con-
gregations with multiministries (second pastors, mis-
sionaries, directors of education, youth workers, etc.)
have no greater vote in Kingdom work than congrega-
tions with single ministries; therefore be it

Resolved, That we call upon The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod assembled at its Denver Convention,
July 11—19, 1969, to allow the Northern Illinois District,

subject to approval at its next convention, to carry out
an experimental program for at least two District con-
ventions but not more than five allowing for a wider
form of representation and franchise at its District con-
vention on the following basis:

Representation at the Northern Illinois District con-
vention would be as follows:

1. Where there is only one form of ministry in a con-
gregation, there would be one pastor and one lay dele-
gate voting.

2. Where there are two forms of ministry in a con-
gregation with a Christian day school, there would be
one pastor and one lay delegate and one teacher and
one lay delegate voting.

3. Or second, where there are two forms of ministry
in a congregation without a Christian day school but
having a director of Christian education or second pas-
tor (in that order), there would be one pastor and one
lay delegate and one additional minister and one lay
delegate voting.

4, Franchise for ministerial representation would be
limited to called ministers and defined as those who
have signed the Constitution and Bylaws of The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod.

5. In no case would a congregation have more than
four votes (two ministerial and two laity).

6. Second pastors, teaching ministers, and others in
this category of called servants without franchise at the
District convention would be encouraged to attend.

And be it further

Resolved, That in order to implement this experi-
mental program the Northern Illinois District be per-
mitted to waive for the same period of time those por-
tions of the Constitution and Bylaws of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod that pertain to delegate
representation and voting in conflict with the experi-
ment, as, for example:

Constitution, Article V, “Membership”:

A. Voting Members: “At the meetings of the Districts
of Synod every congregation or parish is entitled to two
votes, one of which is to be cast by the pastor and the
other by the lay delegate.”

B. Advisory Members: Naming “assistant pastors”
and “teachers of parochial schools” as “advisory mem-
bers only.”

Bylaws:
Paragraph 3.17: That it not be interpreted to allow

only one minister and one lay delegate to vote from
a congregation where there are two forms of ministry.

Paragraph 3.19: That it not require an excuse for
absence from the second pastor or teaching minister
who is without franchise at the convention and repre-
sented by another.

Boarp oF DIRECTORS
NorTHERN ILLINOIS DISTRICT
Donatp A. CHRISTIANSEN, Secretary