# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S110 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 109 delegate brief written biographics of the candidates for District President and the candidatcs for Vicc-President. giving adequate information on each candidate, such as age, residence, number of years in the Synod, present position, District or synodical offices previously held, ycar of ordination, former pastorates, involvement in community, government, or interchurch affairs, and any other specific experience and qualification for the office. Nominating committees may not be employed in the election of the President and Vice-Presidents. 2. Delegate Information The TF recommends that prior to a District Convention, each District’s Board of Directors cause statements or responses to interview questions to be disseminated in which the congregationally-nominated candidates for District President have opportunity to express them- selves on the key issues facing the District and the Synod at large. It also recommends that the Secretary of the Synod be charged with de- veloping and updating materials that can be used to familiarize District convention delegates with the responsibilities of District Presidents within their Districts, particularly in the area of ecclesiastical supervision, and the role of the Council of Presidents within the Synod. 3. District President Orientation It is not unusual for those who are appointed to leadership positions with unique responsibilities in the fields of business, industry. or the military to undergo extensive orientation. Current Bylaw 3.101 C 2 requires the President of the Synod to “make provisions for new District Presidents ... to be acquainted with their duties and responsibilities.” However, this orientation usually is confined to two days. Fur- ther, it is routinely conducted quite early in the term of most newly elected District Presidents, even before some might assume office. and thus it does not afford an opportunity for systematic reflection upon several months’ worth of service in the District presidency. Therefore the TF proposes the following overture: 8-24 To Provide More Extensive Orientation for District Presidents Resolved, That once every triennium the President of the Synod arrange, and the Board of Directors of the Synod fund, a two-stage orienta- tion for new District Presidents that especially highlights churchmanship (Romans 12:]—2) and a theologically responsible approach to ecclesi- astical supervision. Specific topics could include how to be proactive; how to work with Circuit Counselors; how to spot trouble signs within con- gregations and in the District as a whole; how to carry out disciplinary responsibilities. The first stage should be conducled as soon as possible after the last District convention in a District convention year. A second stage should be scheduled about six months later. Theological profes- sors, veteran District Presidents, and others can be called upon to make presentations at the discretion of the synodical President. Visitation Circuits If a Circuit Counselor is to assist his District President effectively in the responsibilities outlined above. the Circuit must be of reason- able size. Often he is called upon to deal with personnel matters as well as pastoral vacancies within the Circuit, in addition to other au- thorized visitation duties. Most Circuit Counselors are also faced with the press of pastoral responsibilities in their own congregations. Vis- itation Circuits consisting of only 5 to 7 adjacent parishes would enable a Circuit Counselor. if requested by the District President, to visit every church in the Circuit during a triennium (apart from his own) at the rate of perhaps two per year. Forming smaller visitation Circuits will increase the number of visitation Circuits and Circuit Counselors across the Synod, thus improving communications. If the pastors of adjacent visitation Circuits think it wise to meet together for their Circuit pastoral (“Winkel”) conferences, they certainly may do so. The TF is convinced that it would be inappropriate to make changes in the makeup of visitation Circuits without also considering changing the contours of electoral regions. Accordingly, the TF urges that these proposed changes in the definition of a visitation Circuit should be read together with and acted upon jointly with those regarding electoral regions (later in this report). 8-25 To Change Criteria for Visitation Circuits Resolved, That the synodical Bylaws be amended as proposed: CURRENT 3.51 Definitions 5.01 Structuring of Circuits Each circuit shall consist of 7 to 20 member congregations in- volving an aggregate communicant membership of 1,500 to 10,000. Exceptions to these requirements and limitations can be made only by the President of the Synod upon request of a District Board of Directors. PROPOSED 3.51 Definitions h. Parish: One or more member congregations of the Synod served by the same pastor(s). 5.01 Structuring of Visitation Circuits Each visitation Circuit shall consist of 5 to 7 adjacent parishes as determined by the District President in consultation with the District Board of Directors at least one year prior to the triennial District convention. Factors such as geographic locale, common and shared ministries, and other areas of mutual interests should be taken into account in the alignment and size of visitation Cir- cuits. Exceptions or revisions to such assignments can be made by the District President upon request of a specific congregation. The final assignment of congregations to specific visitation Circuits shall be subsequently reported to the District Convention. 2001 Convention Workbook