# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S246
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

246 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

(5-51)

To Transfer Holy Cross, Belding, Mich.,
from English to Michigan District

Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Belding, Mich.,
wishes to transfer its synodical membership from the
English to the Michigan District.

A careful study of our congregation’s location in re-
lationship with congregations of the Michigan District
and consultations with officials of both the English and
Michigan Districts prompt us to make this request for
a transfer.

We respectfully ask that our transfer request be
placed on the agenda of the Denver convention of the

Synod. Hoty Cross LUTHERAN CHURCH
Belding, Mich.
MILLARD ENGBERG, President
Rosert HARRINGTON, Secretary
Henry Lussen, Vacancy Pastor
(5-52)

To Revise System
of Electing Circuit Counselors

Wuereas, The present system of electing Circuit
Counselors (Handbook, Section 3.61 b) is not consistent
with the principle of majority voting (example: A cir-
cuit with 10 congregations may be nominating a Coun-
selor into office [and in practice guaranteeing election]
with as few as 5 votes out of 20 votes cast, if there are
five other nominees with an average of 3 votes each):
therefore be it

Resolved, That Section 3.61b of the Handbook be
revised as follows:

PRESENT WORDING

b. Every voting congregation of each circuit shall nomi-
nate two pastors of voting congregations of the circuit as
candidates for the office of Circuit Counselor. The nomina-
tions shall be made during the election year prior to the
convention of the District and shall be submitted to the
Nominating Committee of the District. The Nominating
Committee shall arrange a slate containing the first choice
for Circuit Counselor from each circuit, provided that man is
still available, or the second choice of the circuit if he is not.
The District President shall fill the slate where neither man
is still available. The convention shall have the right to alter
the slate by amendment. The convention shall then ratify
the slate of Circuit Counselors, which ratification shall con-
stitute election.

PROPOSED WORDING

b. Each circuit shall meet at the call of the Counselor
to nominate candidates for the office of Circuit Counselor.
The meeting shall take place at least 3 months prior to the
convention of the District at which elections for this office
are to be held. The nomination shall be by written ballot.
The privilege of voting shall be exercised by one pastor and
one layman from each member parish of the circuit. Each
qualified pastor and layman shall have the privilege of
nominating one pastor of a voting congregation of the circuit.
Balloting shall follow until a pastor receives a majority of
votes cast, and said pastor shall become the nominee. The
same procedure shall be followed in selecting an alternate
nominee. The Counselor shall submit the nominations to
the Nominating Committee of the District. The Nominating
Committee shall arrange a slate containing the first choice
for Circuit Counselor from each circuit, provided that man is
still available, or the alternate nominee of the circuit if he
is not. The District President shall fill the slate where neither
man is still available. The convention shall have the right
to alter the slate by amendment. The convention shall then
ratify the slate of Circuit Counselors, which ratification shall
constitute election.

c. District conventions may make special provisions for
those circuits (Alaska, Hawaii, Western states, etc.) where
distance and economics make the above provisions im-
practical.

d. Present ec becomes d.

FairH LUTHERAN CHURCH

Ukiah, Calif.
Epwin Soun, Pastor
CHarRLES BELL, Secretary