# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S401
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
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
based on the geographical proximity of congregations and on the
basis of one of the following requirements:
(1) A pair of delegates shall represent 10 or more congregations
without regard to the number of confirmed members.
(2) A each pair of delegates shall represent from a minimum
of 7seven to 20 member congregations with not fewer than,
involving an aggregate confirmed membership ranging from
1,500 confirmed members. to 10,000.
(3) A pair of delegates shall represent four or more
congregations with not fewer than 5,000 confirmed
members.
(b) 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
11-40

To Provide Alternative Method
for Certifying Congregational Voters
in Synod President Elections
Whereas, The LCMS Handbook Bylaw 3.12.2.3 calls for “The
Secretary of the Synod, using lists of delegates in attendance at the
prior year’s district conventions as submitted by the secretaries of the
districts, shall compile and maintain the voters list for the election of
the President of the Synod in coordination with the secretaries of the
districts” (emphasis added); and
Whereas, This bylaw has no alternative to this designated methodology which recognizes that there may exist legitimate reasons
why the two voting delegates from each congregation or their alternates were not at the previous convention; and
Whereas, In the spirit of inclusion of all congregations in the
election of the Synod President, it would seem that an alternative
method of certifying voting delegates for the election of the Synod
could be developed; therefore be it
Resolved, The Minnesota North District memorialize the 2016
Synod convention to consider an alternative method of certifying the
delegates for the election of the Synod President that would allow the
district president to certify delegates from those congregations with
an absent delegate at the previous district convention by application
of the affected congregation to the district president asking for designation for a specific person from the affected congregation to be
certified as voting delegate for the election of the Synod President;
and be it further
Resolved, That only those congregations that had paid their district convention delegate registration fees may make this application
to the district president.
Minnesota North District

401

11-41

To Affirm Past Policy re Display
of Literature at Synod Conventions
Whereas, At past Synod conventions in 2010, 2007, etc., official
Synod materials were always at tables or areas separate from literature from other various unofficial organizations; and
Whereas, At the 2013 Synod convention, literature from other
various unofficial organizations was compiled at the same table with
the official Synod materials and handouts; and
Whereas, This literature from various unofficial organizations
with differing points of views featured articles showing certain members of the Synod’s leadership in a very negative manner; and
Whereas, The Eighth Commandment states, “You shall not give
false testimony against your neighbor”; and
Whereas, The meaning of the Eighth Commandment states: “We
should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him,
speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way”; and
Whereas, Ephesians 4:25 states, “Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of
one body”; therefore be it
Resolved, That we strive always to speak well of all of our fellow
Synod members; and be it further
Resolved, That we affirm the past policy that literature from various unofficial organizations be compiled on separate tables from the
official Synod materials.
Salem
Buffalo, NY
11-42

To Permit Electronic Means for Official
Dissemination of Convention Workbooks
Whereas, The Lord provides faithfully for His Church through
First Article gifts; and
Whereas, Technological advancements provide a means to disseminate information without the cost of printing and postage; and
Whereas, The Synod’s Bylaws are binding upon its districts; and
Whereas, The 2013 LCMS Res. 7-05 allowed for electronic
meetings for voting by circuits, districts, and Synod agencies; and
Whereas, Savings realized from electronic dissemination of convention workbooks allow those funds to be used in service to the
Gospel; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Missouri District
memorialize the Synod in convention to amend Synod Bylaw 3.1.8
(b) as follows:
PROPOSED WORDING
3.1.8 A Convention Workbook containing a convention manual,
reports and overtures, the names and mailing addresses of all voting
delegates, and other information shall be published under the editorship
of the Secretary subject to approval of the President.
…
(b) The content of the Convention Workbook shall be posted on the
Synod’s Website not later than 12 weeks prior to the opening date of
the convention, with printed copies mailed or electronic copies disseminated to each delegate and alternate, all officers of the Synod,
and members of boards, commissions, and councils.

Board of Directors
Missouri District
2016 Convention Workbook