# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S245 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 245 WuereaS, There has been no objective critique of the proposed changes by any authorized and credible source; and WHEREAS, Several of our Districts have recently gone through a Bylaw-restructuring process. carefully examining their own struc- tures; therefore be it Resolved, That the present proposed changes to the synodical Handbook be tabled until the next synodical convention; and be it further Resolved, That the Council of Presidents appoint an ad hoc committee of pastors, laypeople, and other professional church workers to carefully and thoughtfully critique the proposed changes, reporting their findings directly to the Synod at large within one year; and be it further Resolved, That the District pastoral conferences. teacher con- ferences, Circuit fora, and Districts use the critique at their formal meetings and conventions to evaluate the proposed changes to the synodical Handbook; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod, meeting in its next convention, de- vote at least two full sessions to a free and open discussion and de- bate of the proposed changes before a vote is taken. Zion, Piedmont, CA; Redeemer, Redwood City, CA 7-24 To Table Action on Commission on Structure Report WHEREAS, The 1998 synodical convention requested a number of task forces to study pressing issues within the Synod and to re- port their findings to the 2001 synodical convention; and WHEREAS, The 1998 synodical convention called upon the Commission on Structure to prepare a reorganization of the LCMS Handbook Bylaws and to report this work to the 2001 LCMS con- vention; and WHEREAS, The reorganization of the Handbook Bylaws is de- sirable, but not necessary at this time, especially when task force reports and subsequent convention action may alter Bylaws (for ex- ample, the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations); and WHEREAS, The Commission on Structure found inconsistencies within the Handbook Bylaws which should be clarified in a timely manner; therefore be it Resolved, That the Commission on Structure bring to the 2001 synodical convention recommendations for convention action to clarify the inconsistencies found in the current synodical Handbook Bylaws; and be it further Resolved, That the Commission on Structure’s full report on the LCMS Handbook Bylaws reorganization, and action on this report be tabled until the 2004 LCMS convention. St. Paul Decatur, IN 7-25 To Reject Proposals for Change in Powers of Synod WHEREAS, The Commission on Structure has done an admirable job of clarifying and reorganizing the current Handbook; and WHEREAS, In the process new definitions and relationships have been introduced defining the Synod as an ecclesiastical government and the conventions of the Synod as its legislative assembly; and Wrereas, Art. VII of the Constitution of the Synod clearly states that “the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercis- ing legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the individ- ual congregation’s right of self-government it is but an advisory body”; and WHEREAS, The Synod is a human structure neither mentioned or instituted in the Holy Scriptures or the Lutheran Confessions, but a useful tool for congregations in carrying out their ministries; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod meet- ing in convention in St. Louis in 2001 reject the proposals for changes in governance and the advisory nature of the Synod; and be it further Resolved, That all references to coercive and legislative pow- ers of the Synod be deleted from the proposed Bylaws; and be it finally Resolved, That we joyfully submit ourselves to God and His Word, the Holy Scriptures, living under His governance and to His glory as together we serve Him. Bethany Milwaukee, WI 7-26 To Reject Recommendations and Form New Commission on Structure WHEREAS, A Commission on Structure was commissioned by the 1998 synodical convention to study the Bylaws of Synod and was charged with the task of simplifying and clarifying the Bylaws of Synod; and WHEREAS, The Commission sent its recommendations to the congregations of the Synod in the fall of 2000; and WHEREAS, The Commission recommendations document some 3,000 plus changes to the Bylaws; and WHEREAS, The Commission recommendations mostly offer cos- metic changes to the Bylaws while offering little or no clarifica- tion on the structure of the Synod; therefore be it Resolved, That the Commission be commended for its hard work and thorough presentation of its recommendations to the con- gregations of Synod; and be it further Resolved, That the recommendations of the Commission not be acted upon by the Synod in convention; and be it further Resolved, That a new Commission on Structure be formed to present a proposal to the 2004 convention for new synodical By- laws; and be it finally Resolved, That the new Bylaws focus primarily on enabling mission and ministry. Faith Bentonville, AR 7-27 To Require Further Study by Commission on Structure WHEREAS, The proposal for restructuring the Synod, in our esti- mation, needs further review both in its sense of what it means to be the church and its practicality; and WHEREAS, The proposed restructuring would centralize the gov- erance of the Synod, turning the Synod away from its advisory nature and capacity; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention repudiate the document and plan “Preliminary Report: Proposed Handbook”; and be it fur- ther Resolved, That the Synod in convention resubmit the charge for a proper plan for restructuring to the Commission on Structure for further study. Epiphany, Northfield, OH; Epiphany, Northfield, OH 7-28 To Revise Bylaws re Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support Rationale for Bylaw Revisions {. The revisions include, in the first paragraph, a direct link with the constitutional objectives of the Synod (cf. Art. [Il 3, 8, 10). 2001 Convention Workbook