# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S125
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

2. Congregational Services
To Revise Bylaws 3.821, 3.823, 3.825,
and 3.827 on Congregational Services
RESOLUTION 2-01A
Report 2-01 (CW, pp. 24–28); Overture 2-01 (CW, p. 133)

Background
The 1992 synodical convention established the Conference of Congregational Services and resolved to combine
various boards into one Congregational Services board effective with the 1995 convention.
Following formal approval at the 1995 convention, the
Board for Congregational Services identified ministry areas
that would continue to gather information and feedback
from Districts and congregations on needs, expectations,
and trends. The ministry areas were further integrated to
meet the expressed needs of Districts and congregations,
receive communications from Districts regarding their
plans and their congregations (through the Conference of
Congregational Services), and continue to identify refinements that might need to be made in view of continuing
structural revisions at the District and national levels. The
purpose (as identified in 1995) of Congregational Services,
through its staff and in partnership with Districts, is to
support and serve congregations of the Synod in their varied range of diverse and unique ministries.
Since 1999, there has been a significant reduction in unrestricted budget funds ($885,000), resulting in a reduction
of services and events. Over the last two years, nine staff positions have been eliminated. The Board also conducted a selfstudy with extensive input from the Districts and the Task
Force on Synod/District Relations. The Board and its staff
have concluded that its work and purpose have changed.

Committee 2 Chairman Herbert Mueller

3.823 Functions
The Board for District and Congregational Services
shall organize itself exists to enable vision and outcome
development, to prepare and revise policies responsive
to both current and anticipated situations, and to initiate action in order to meet the changing needs of Districts and congregations. Service areas will be evaluated and changed as appropriate, prior to each
convention of the Synod. The Board will focus its energies on helping Districts help congregations in building
up disciples for service in the church and to all people in
today’s world.
The Board for District and Congregational Services,
through its staff and in partnership with Districts, supports and serves congregations of the Synod in their
varied range of diverse and unique ministries with
1. future-oriented, shared program vision for the
Congregational Services service areas;
2. meaningful, objective research and active listening;
3. identification and communication of a diversity of
models and resources (networking), supplementing
such resources as necessary;
4. support of ministry to a multicultural society;
5. consulting services, visitations, workshops, and
leadership training;
6. an integrated, long-range plan (shared with the
Council on Mission and Ministry) with operating goals
for congregational services, striking a balance between
a listening and responding role in developing a common
synodwide vision;
7. appropriate staffing in accordance with established personnel policies. Responsibilities will be consistent with identified vision; serves with Districts in
assisting congregations to develop and foster vibrant
ministries to bring the saving, life-giving Gospel of
Jesus Christ to the sinful, dying world. The Board shall
determine the number and nature of ministry areas

Rationale
The following changes are proposed:
1. A name change clarifying the Board’s relationship
with Districts and their congregations;
2. A reduction in Board membership resulting in more
efficient policy and supervision;
3. A clarification of purpose as expressed through District and congregation input;
4. The elimination of the Conference of Congregational
Services, because the Board has found more cost-effective
means to accomplish the same goal.
Resolved, That the following Bylaw revisions be adopted:
PRESENT/PROPOSED
Board for District and Congregational
Services
A. BOARD
3.821 Membership
The Board for District and Congregational Services
shall consist of 11 8 members to be elected by the Synod
in convention; : 2 pastors, 2 commissioned ministers, 2
laypersons, and 2 at-large members.

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200l Convention Proceedings