# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S243
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 243

(5-39)
To Retain Present Atlantic District

WHEREAS, The convention of the Atlantic District of
The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in June 1968
voted by a close majority to petition the synodical con-
vention to redistrict the Atlantic District into three divi-
sions: and

Wuereas, There seems to be no compelling reason
for such division at this time; and

WHEREAS, Such division runs directly contrary to the
trend of the secular and business areas of society, in
which merger rather than division is increasingly em-
ployed for the purposes of growth and development to
meet the challenges of the times; and

Wuereas, Such division would require the formation
of Districts which may need to be subsidized financially
by the Synod: and

Wuereas, The commonality of problems in this area
of the country can best be answered by the strong,
united operation of the church’s present District struc-
ture; and

Wuereas, Such division would separate nearby con-
gregations from metropolitan areas upon which they
are politically, culturally, and economically dependent:
and

Whereas, A 1965 report by a consulting firm recom-
mending a series of changes to improve the operation
of the Atlantic District has been set aside and ignored
due to the controversy surrounding redistricting; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod in convention set aside the proposed redistricting
of the Atlantic District and direct the District Board of
Directors to proceed with a reorganization plan to bet-
ter serve the needs of all the congregations within the

District. St. Joun’s LuTHERAN CHURCH

Williston Park, N. Y.
Henry Baurensura, Recording Secretary

(5-40)

To Realign Northern
and Southern Nebraska Districts

Wuereas, The Wyoming and some western Nebraska
congregations have requested the formation of a separate
District so they can unify their programs: and

Wuereas, The Word of the Lord could be advanced
more effectively by greater unity; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Southern Nebraska District as-
sembled in convention July 12—15, 1968, petition the
Synod for authorization to form a new District together
with the Northern Nebraska District to be known as
the Nebraska District; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of Wyoming and
the Nebraska Panhandle be authorized to form a new
District; and be it finally

Resolved, That this petition be presented to the
Synod at its convention at Denver in 1969.

SOUTHERN NEBRASKA DISTRICT
RoserT J. LEEGe, Secretary

(5-41)

To Combine Northern and Southern
Nebraska Districts and Form
a Wyoming District

WHEREAS, The Wyoming and some Western Nebraska
congregations have requested the formation of a sepa-

rate District so they can unify their programs; and
Whereas, The work of the Lord could be advanced

more effectively by greater unity: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Northern Nebraska District, as-
sembled in convention July 12—15, 1968, petition the
Synod for authorization to form a new District together
with the Southern Nebraska District, to be known as
the Nebraska District; and be it further

Resolved, That the congregations of Wyoming and
the Scottsbluff and Sidney Circuits be authorized to
form a new District: and be it further

Resolved, That this petition be presented to the
Synod at its convention in Denver in 1969: and be it
further

Resolved, That if the Denver convention adopts this
petition, the Northern Nebraska District and the South-
ern Nebraska District as presently constituted meet in
convention in 1970 as a constituting convention to im-
plement this decision: and be it finally

Resolved, That the officers of both Districts be au-
thorized and empowered to prepare all the necessary
and legal documents that are required in order to carry
out this decision. NorTHeRN NEBRASKA DIsTRICT

Rev. B. MESCHKE, Secretary

(5-42)

To Study Feasibility of New District
in Southwest

Wuereas, It is the responsibility of the Synod to de-
cide “when and whether a District shall be formed”
(Handbook 3.03, p. 79); and

WuerEAS, The land area of the state of Arizona ranks
fifth-largest among the states: and

Wuereas, The U.S. Bureau of Census reports that
between 1960 and 1968 the Arizona population increased
26 percent, the second-largest increase among all the
states; and

Whereas, Increased industrial and commercial de-
velopment, highlighted by the recent approval of the
Central Arizona Project, will add momentum to the
population increase: and

Whereas, The distance to Southern California and
English District offices severely limits the involvement
of congregations and pastors in much of the District ac-
tivity; and