# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S400
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

400

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

Resolved, That the LCMS clearly affirm that it is the member
congregations and their member professional church workers who
determine whether any resolution of Synod—including opinions,
rulings, policies, and the like—is in accordance with the Word of
God and/or expedient as far as the condition of a congregation is
concerned.
Zion
Portland, OR

Resolved, That this discussion begin at the 2016 Synod convention, with a decision to be reached by the 2019 Synod convention;
and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS Constitution and Bylaws be edited to
reflect changes that will allow commissioned ministers to vote at
future district and Synod conventions; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod seek ways to engage all advisory delegates for future conventions.
Michigan District

11-36

To Have Equal Lay and Ordained Representation
on Convention Floor Committees
Whereas, Scripture clearly speaks of all Christians as members
of the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9); and
Whereas, The founders of the LCMS, as the foundation of its
church polity, recognized the need for clergy and laity to share equally
in the decision-making process; and
Whereas, Current practices used in appointing floor committees
for Synod conventions have the potential to disenfranchise our lay
members of the royal priesthood; therefore be it
Resolved, That there be equal numbers of voting lay and ordained
members on all floor committees at future Synod conventions.
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grand Rapids, MI; Board
of Directors, Southeastern District; Michigan District; St.
Luke, Haslett, MI; First, Hanford, CA; Board of Directors,
Florida-Georgia District; Redeemer, Fresno, CA
11-37

To Discuss Enabling Advisory Delegates to Become
Voting Delegates at Future Conventions
Whereas, The LCMS has allowed commissioned ministers to
be advisory delegates and have a voice at district and Synod conventions; and
Whereas, Each advisory delegate represents 60 rostered workers; and
Whereas, Each district financially supports the attendance of
these advisory delegates at Synod conventions; and
Whereas, Advisory delegates often attend district and Synod conventions and are underutilized; and
Whereas, Called commissioned ministers now serve as directors
of parish music, directors of Christian outreach, directors of family
life ministry, directors of Christian education, early childhood education directors, worship arts coordinators, principals, and teachers,
and are currently on the Synod roster and individual members of the
Synod serving in congregations of the Synod; and
Whereas, Called commissioned ministers have a critical ministry
impact in the lives of families as an outreach arm of congregations;
and
Whereas, The financial obligation of districts would be lessened
by sending voting commissioned delegates at a ratio higher than the
current 60-to-1 ratio; therefore be it
Resolved, That this ratio be increased to one voting commissioned
minister for every 120 commissioned ministers on the Synod roster;
and be it further
Resolved, That this increased ratio maintain a balance between
voting pastoral delegates and lay delegates while giving commissioned ministers voting representation; and be it further
2016 Convention Workbook

11-38

To Make Uniform the Process
for Restructuring Circuits for Synod
Convention Delegate Representation
Whereas, LCMS governing documents have no uniform process
for restructuring circuits for the purpose of determining voting delegates to Synod conventions; and
Whereas, Uniformity of representation is a desirable quality to
provide equitable representation among the districts; and
Whereas, A periodic restructuring process allows stability within
the various circuits; and
Whereas, A uniform process creates balanced representation as
between groups of congregations; therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod Bylaw 3.1.2 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.1.2 Voting delegates shall consist of one pastor and one layman
from each electoral circuit.
(a) An electoral circuit shall consist either of one or two adjacent visitation circuits, as shall be determined by the district board of directors
on the basis of the following requirements: each pair of delegates
shall represent from 7 to 20 member congregations, involving an
aggregate confirmed membership ranging from 1,500 to 10,000.
(b) The district board of directors shall use the requirements as set forth
above with respect to the annual survey of congregations for the
year 2016 as reported in the LCMS records for that year to realign
its congregations into electoral circuits in conformity with these requirements.
(c) The realignment of the district’s electoral circuits shall be based on
the geographical location of the churches and shall be reported to the
Synod before the next Synod convention.
(d) This realignment shall remain in effect for a period of nine years
following its adoption (unless the boundaries of the district are
changed), regardless of whether the circuit remains in conformity
with the requirements established in Bylaw 3.1.2 (a).
(b) (e)Exceptions to these requirements may be made only by the President of the Synod upon request of a district board of directors.

Board of Directors
Michigan District
11-39

To Make Uniform the Process for Restructuring
Circuits for Synod Convention Delegate
Determination
Whereas, The governing documents of the LCMS have no uniform process for restructuring circuits for the purpose of determining
voting delegates to Synod conventions; and