# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S265 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 265 7-81 To Amend System for Synodical Delegate Representation Rationale In their report to the synodical President the Blue Ribbon Com- mittee states that “these are things which are better done collec- tively than by congregations acting alone, subject always to the Scriptures and to the Confessions. The Christian freedom and the integrity of our congregations are best respected and maintained when their will as expressed when the Synod meets in convention is carried out” (p. 2, lines 26-30). The underlying principle is that the will of the people should be expressed when the Synod meets in convention. We affirm that principle and believe that it is funda- mental to our effective and harmonious functioning. However, as demographics have changed, resulting in new pat- terns of where our constituency holds membership, it is apparent that an increasing number of our people hold membership in the largest congregations of our Synod. Some estimates put it as high as 20 percent of our congregations contain 50 percent of our mem- bers, while the remaining 80 percent of our congregations have the remaining 50 percent of our members. With our system of choosing one pastoral and one lay delegate from each electoral Circuit, re- gardless of the number of communicants in that Circuit, a serious problem of unequal representation seems to be the result. In the secular political realm the principle of one man/one vote was insti- tuted to correct a similar problem. We believe the time has come for us to openly address the issue in our life together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Once again we underscore the observation of the Blue Ribbon Committee that “the entire structure should be marked by openness and responsiveness to the will of the mem- bers” (Blue Ribbon Committee Report, p. 2, lines 36-37). Resolved, That to achieve a more equal and better representa- tion of the will of our members, we ask the President of the Synod in consultation and cooperation with the Council of Presidents to appoint a special committee to carefully study the system of se- lecting voting delegates to the synodical convention. We ask that the committee be empowered to bring a report and recommenda- tions to the next convention of the Synod, with the intent of pro- viding a system, that will more accurately reflect the will of all of the people of our congregations. Board of Directors, Pacific Southwest District; Board of Directors, Atlantic District 7-82 To Consider Changes to Bylaw 3.03 in Regard to Electoral Circuits WHEREAS, Synodical Bylaw 3.03 defines the parameters and number of member organizations (congregations) and communi- cant members that comprise an electoral Circuit; and WHEREAS, Population trends have altered the demographics of the Synod with many rural congregations diminishing in size and some urban and suburban congregations growing with a few even classified as “mega’’ churches; and WHEREAS, The balance of congregations and memberships thought equitable when Bylaw 3.03 was adopted may not be achieved because of the shift in demographics; therefore be it Resolved, That the Minnesota South District in convention memorialize the 1998 synodical convention to direct the synodical President to appoint a committee to study the matter and present recommendations for considered changes to Bylaw 3.03 at the 2001 synodical convention. Minnesota South District 7-83 To Memorialize Synod to Make Circuit Convocations Voluntary WHEREAS, Circuit Convocations have met with success in some locations and have not been adequately attended or even held in other locations; and WHEREAS, Many of the functions of Circuit Convocations are implemented already at the congregational level by the local con- gregation members; and WHEREAS, Many of the minor festivals of the church year and particular Sundays set aside by District and Synod can provide the desired setting in which congregational members may know of and celebrate the ministry pursued by each congregation, and may re- view and discuss the work of the Circuit Forums, and may imple- ment information received on the various phases of the work pur- sued through District and Synod as they already emphasize inspiration, education, and motivation; therefore be it Resolved, That the Iowa District East in convention memorial- ize Synod to change the word shall in 5.51 of the 1995 Handbook to may as concerns the holding of Circuit Convocations. Iowa District East 7-84 To Make Circuit Forums Optional WHEREAS, Synodical Bylaw 5.31 requires each Circuit to hold a forum at least twice a year; and WHEREAS, Many Circuits ignore this requirement because they apparently judge semiannual forums unnecessary; and WHEREAS, The failure to hold semiannual forums does not ap- pear to adversely affect these Circuits; and WHEREAS, Insisting on a practice judged unnecessary may en- hance negative attitudes toward Districts; and WHEREAS, Consciously ignoring some specific requirements may well encourage apathy in other areas; therefore be it Resolved, That the Southern Illinois District in convention memorialize the next synodical convention to drop the current final sentence of synodical Bylaw 5.31, which reads, “The Circuit Forum will meet at least twice a year,” and replace it with a new concluding sentence. This new concluding sentence of Bylaw 5.31 would then read, “The Circuit Forum is encouraged to meet at least twice a year.” Southern Illinois District 7-85 To Restore District Conventions Wuereas, The 1995 Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod states that the District convention is a legislative as- sembly to establish and evaluate policies and provide direction for that District’s work in God’s kingdom (Bylaw 4:11); and WHEREAS, Some Districts are attempting, without the approval of the congregations and contrary to our synodical Handbook, to change the nature of the convention to a conference/convocation (e.g., PSW 6-27 to 7-1, 1997; SED 4-11 to 13, 1997); and WHEREAS, This deprives the congregations within that District from having a voice concerning the District’s directions, policies and goals; and WHEREAS, This creates a hierarchical business model governed by a few select individuals; and WHEREAS, Such a hierarchical structure creates the climate for controlling congregations’ thoughts and actions; and thereby grows increasingly irrelevant for many pastors and congregations; there- fore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its 1998 convention instruct the synodical President to inform all Dis-