# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S239 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 239 PRESEN+F/PROPOSED 3.703 Functions The Board of Managers shall : have all general and incidental powers and duties appropriate for the performance of its functions, including the powers and du- ties set forth in the respective plans, as amended from time to time. It eammet may create or amend any plan within limits established by the Board of Directors of the Synod so long as such changes are reported to the Board of Directors since such power is finally vested in the Board of Directors ef/—Fhe-betheren-Cheureh—_Mis- and be it further Resolved, That proposed Bylaw 3.6.6.2 therefore read as fol- lows: 3.6.6.2 The Board of Managers shall have all general and inci- dental powers and duties appropriate for the performance of its functions, including the powers and duties set forth in the respec- tive plans, as amended from time to time. It may create or amend any plan within limits established by the Board of Directors of the Synod so long as such changes are reported to the Board of Direc- tors since such power is finally vested in the Board of Directors. Commission on Structure 7-08 To Clarify Responsibilities of Officers and Agencies Rationale The Synod divides itself into Districts, their names and bound- aries determined by the Synod. Art. XII, 12, of the Constitution of the Synod provides that “The Districts are independent in the ad- ministration of affairs which concern their District only, it being understood, however, that such administration shall always serve the interests of the Synod.” Likewise, all other agencies of the Synod are entities established by the Synod to further the Synod’s objectives and include each board, commission, council, seminary, university, college, and synodwide corporate entity (Bylaw 3.51 a). The Commission therefore advocates that for purposes of clarity with respect to the relationship of officers and agencies to the Synod it will be beneficial to include a directive within the Bylaws of the Synod that clarifies this basic relationship. Resolved, That current Bylaw 1.07 a be amended to incorporate content from Art. XII, 12, of the Constitution of the Synod, as fol- lows: PRESENF/PROPOSED @- The delegate convention of the Synod is the legislative as- sembly whte# that ultimately legislates policy, program, and finan- cial direction to carry on the Synod’s work on behalf of and in ser- vice to the member congregations, reserving to itself the right to give direction to all officers and agencies of the Synod, who shall always serve the interests of the Synod in carrying out their re- sponsibilities (including the Districts, seminaries, universities and colleges, and other component parts of the Synod). .... and be it further Resolved, That proposed Bylaw 1.8.1 therefore read as follows: 1.8.1 The delegate convention of the Synod is the legislative as- sembly that ultimately legislates policy, program, and financial di- rection to carry on the Synod’s work on behalf of and in service to the member congregations, reserving to itself the right to give di- rection to all officers and agencies of the Synod, who shall always serve the interests of the Synod in carrying out their responsibilities (including the Districts, seminaries, universities and colleges, and other component parts of the Synod). .... Commission on Structure 7-09 To Clarify What Is Included in the Doctrinal Position of Synod Rationale The 1998 edition of the Handbook of the Synod mistakenly omitted reference to paragraph c of Bylaw 1.09 in Bylaw 6.43 c 6. The Commission advocates the permanent removal of this refer- ence to paragraph c from the reference in Bylaw 6.43 to prevent confusion and contention regarding the relationship of doctrinal resolutions and doctrinal statements. This proposed amendment honors the understanding that all doctrinal statements and resolu- tions, although they originate differently, are of equal weight in de- scribing the Synod’s understanding of Art. II of its Constitution. Resolved, That present Bylaw 6.43 c 6 be amended to read as follows: 6. advocacy of false doctrine (Constitution, Art. II) or failure to honor and uphold the doctrinal position of the Synod as defined further in Bylaw 1.09 e. and be it further Resolved, That proposed Bylaw 3.7.1.7.4, 6, therefore read: 6. advocacy of false doctrine (Constitution, Art. II) or failure to honor and uphold the doctrinal position of the Synod as defined further in Bylaw 1.3.2. Commission on Structure To Change Process for Adoption of Doctrinal Resolutions Rationale Bylaw 1.09, paragraph a (proposed Bylaw 1.3.2), establishes the right of the Synod to adopt doctrinal resolutions and statements. Paragraphs b and c of Bylaw 1.09 and policy and procedure para- graphs (a) and (b) of proposed Bylaw 1.3.2 establish the purpose for doctrinal resolutions and statements. Such resolutions “may be adopted for the information, counsel, and guidance of the member- ship.” Such statements “set forth in greater detail the position of the Synod especially in controverted matters.” Unclarity exists in the Synod regarding the distinction between doctrinal resolutions and doctrinal statements, especially given the differing requirements for adoption. At present, doctrinal resolu- tions “come into being in the same manner as any other resolutions of a synodical convention” (Bylaw 1.09 b), while doctrinal state- ments result from a lengthy process that involves consideration by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, a two-thirds affirmative vote of a convention of the Synod, and ratification by a two-thirds majority vote of congregations of the Synod. The Commission notes that doctrinal resolutions and doctrinal statements are of equal authority and weight. Both conform to the confessional position of the Synod and articulate its understanding of Art. II of its Constitution. The proposed resolution intends to clarify the purposes of each and to advocate a change in require- ments for adoption of doctrinal resolutions that wil] reflect their equal weight in providing information, counsel, and guidance to the Synod. Resolved, That the Synod clarify that doctrinal statements as de- scribed in proposed Bylaw 1.3.2 (b) serve the purpose of setting forth in greater detail the position of the Synod especially in con- troverted matters through the process of study, affirmation, and rat- ification prescribed in proposed Bylaw 1.3.2 (b) 1-10; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod clarify that doctrinal resolutions as described in Bylaw 1.3.2 (a) serve the purpose of providing infor- mation, counsel, and guidance to the membership of the Synod by restating the confessional position of the Synod as set forth in Art. II of its Constitution and in its doctrinal statements; and be it fur- ther 2001 Convention Workbook