# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S124 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SYNODICAL REPORTS 123 Conclusion As noted above, differing expectations have no doubt yielded different assessments of the TF’s work. In the spring of 1995 the syn- odical Board of Directors urged the President of the Synod to include among the responsibilities of last triennium’s “Blue Ribbon” Com- mittee on Structure the charge to “‘study the general relationship between the Synod and its districts, noting the responsibilities of each to the other.” Shortness of time and complexity of the issues prompted the committee to recommend that such a study be carried out by an- other group (1998 Blue Ribbon Committee Report, page 4, paragraph 13). This suggestion was noted by a floor committee and was sub- sequently adopted when the last synodical convention instructed the President to appoint the present TF in consultation with and by the mutual concurrence of the Synod’s Board of Directors (1998 Res. 7-02A). In short, a great many midwives have attended the birth of this TF. Dffering expectations also yielded different assessments of the Missouri Synod in its early days. President C. F. W. Walther said, “Because we maintained the original equality and independence of every church and congregation and recognized no church’s supremacy over another and no synod’s over an individual congregation, we were reproached for a separatistic lust for independence. But because we ourselves established a synod with supervisory authorities and visitor-offices, people threw up to us that we had hierarchical plans against the freedom of congregations up our sleeve” (address at the opening of the 1866 Missouri Synod convention, Lehre und Wehre 13 [Jan. 1867]: 3). The TF has done its best prayerful thinking. It herewith tenders its report to the Synod in convention. Rev. Dr. Gene A. Oesch, Chairman Rev. Dr. Richard Kapfer, Vice-Chair Mr. Walter Tesch, Secretary Mr. Charles Abel Pastor J. Thomas Foelber Rev. Dr. James Kalthoff Mr. Marvin Krehmeyer Rev. Dr. Walter Rosin Rev. Dr. Raymond Hartwig, Advisory Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb, Staff Appendix R8-01A Districts and Their Relationship to the National Synod A Review of the Constitution and Bylaws Any organization to be effective and efficient must have writings whereby it governs its operations. These may be called articles of in- corporation, a constitution, bylaws, rules, regulations, policies, or a combination of these. They are absolutely essential, for they define the authority, the duties, and the relationships between the component parts of the organization. Confusion and conflict arise when these writings lack clarity, are misunderstood, or are disregarded by those who operate under their provisions. There appears to be a Jack of understanding of the relationship between the national Synod and its Districts. Accordingly, a review of the governing writings of the Synod, namely, its Constitution and Bylaws, will be profitable to gain a better understanding of how the vot- ing members of the Synod, its congregations, have determined how the Synod is to operate and relate to its component parts. Organization 1. Congregations have joined together to form the Synod and relate to one another through the Synod. Bylaw 1.05 a 2. The Synod divides itself into Districts in order more effectively to achieve its objectives and carry on its activities. Bylaws 1.05 b and 4.01 3. The Synod decides when and whether a District shall be formed, divided, realigned, merged, or dissolved. Bylaw 4.03 a Governance 1. The Constitution of the Synod is the Constitution of every District. Art. XII 2 2. The Bylaws of the Synod shall be primarily the Bylaws of the District. Bylaw 4.07 b 3. The Bylaws of a District may not conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. Art. XII 2 4 . The Bylaws and regulations of a District and any changes thereto shall be submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters for review and approval. Bylaw 4.07 b . The delegate convention of the Synod reserves to itself the right to give direction to the Districts. Bylaw 1.07 a 6. Districts as component parts of the Synod are obligated to carry out resolutions of the Synod. Such resolutions are binding on the Dis- tricts. Bylaws 1.05 f and 4.07 a 7. Any changes to the form of incorporation or association of a District shall be submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters for approval before adoption by a District and presentation to civil authorities. Bylaw 4.07 c 8. The Synod is not merely an advisory body in relation to a District. A District is the Synod itself performing the functions of the Synod. Bylaw 4.07 a ‘ 9. The Synod determines in what year conventions of the Districts are held. Art. XII 13 ws Members 1. Membership is in the Synod. Art. V 2. The Synod establishes the conditions for acquiring and holding membership in the Synod. Art. VI 3. Individual membership in the Synod shall be held through the District determined by the Synod. Bylaw 2.41 4 . The Constitution of a member congregation shall be in harmony with Holy Scripture, the Confessions, and the teachings and practices of the Synod. Bylaw 2.03 a 5. Member congregations shall call and be served only by ordained or commissioned ministers who are members of the Synod. Bylaw 2.45 b 2001 Convention Workbook