# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S289 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 8. NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS 8-01 To Reject Report of Task Force on National/District Synod Relations WuereEasS, The Formula of Concord (Ep X 4) provides for con- gregational autonomy in matters of adiaphora; and WHEREAS, Freedom in matters of adiaphora enables a congre- gation to adapt its mission and ministry to meet the unique needs of its locale; and WHEREAS, The changes proposed by the Task Force on Na- tional/District Synod Relations severely limit congregational au- tonomy; and Wuereas, Art. VII of the Constitution provides that the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or coer- cive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s right of self-government the Synod is but an advisory body; therefore be It Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the Synod uphold con- gregational autonomy as set forth in Art. VII of the Constitution so that matters of adiaphora continue to be determined by the needs of the local congregation; and be it further Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the Synod reject the re- port of the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations; and be it finally Resolved, That we exhibit the love Jesus commanded of His dis- ciples in John 13:34—35 as we work together to find God-pleasing solutions to matters of concern among members of the Synod. Messiah Parker, AZ 8-02 To Decline Preliminary Report of Task Force WHEREAS, Many of the proposals of the Preliminary Report of the Task Force on National/Synod Relations seek to alter the rela- tionship between the congregations in the various Districts of the Synod and the national body, which will centralize control in the national offices and officers of the Synod; and WHEREAS, Such proposals run counter to the guarantees of the Constitution (Art. VII) that the Synod is advisory and not legisla- tive; and Wuereas, Many of the task force proposals will increase the powers of the synodical structure and diminish the rights of con- gregations to determine the applicability of synodical resolutions to their particular circumstances as guaranteed by the Synod Con- stitution in Art. VII; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention decline the recommen- dations of the special task force; and be it further Resolved, That specific recommendations of the Preliminary Report that may have some merit for further consideration be re- vised and placed in specific overtures for further consideration by future conventions of the Synod; and be it finally Resolved, That the members of the task torce be thanked for their efforts and be released from any further responsibilities. Our Savior Plantation, FL 8-03 To Reject TF Report and Notion of Hierarchy WHEREAS, Jesus said: “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant ...” (Mark 10:42-45); and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has rejected the notion from the beginning of being a hierarchical church; and WHEREAS, There is little opportunity in the structure being put forward by the Task Force for the national church body to listen to the needs of the local congregations since the flow of information is strictly from the national level down; and WHEREAS, When there is little opportunity for listening there is little opportunity for responding to local situations; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod con- serve the wonderful legacy given us from the past by our forefa- thers in the church; and be it further Resolved, That the report of the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations be rejected; and be it finally Resolved, That we encourage all officers and workers of our na- tional church body to consider themselves servants in Jesus to as- sist in the ministries of the various congregations in our Synod. Grace Queens Village, NY 8-04 To Reject Each of the Recommendations of the Task Force WHEREAS, The proposed recommendations of the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations seek to greatly expand the centralized control and authority of the Synod over individual, au- tonomous congregations; and WHEREAS, Such expansion of centralized contro] and authority will increase rather than decrease conflict within the Synod; and WHEREAS, Such expansion of centralized control and authority will hinder rather than nurture the conduct of God’s Great Com- mission on earth through us; and WHEREAS, Such expansion of centralized control and authority would abandon our trust in God to lead our individual and au- tonomous congregations in the mission field and would replace Him and His leadership with man and man-made dogma; and WHEREAS, The proposed involuntary dissolution of the English District ignores prior resolutions of a similar nature made at the Synod in convention in 1911, 1923, 1935, 1950, 1953, 1956, and 1975, all of which were soundly rejected; and WHEREAS, The English District has neither requested nor does it consent to such proposed dissolution; and WHEREAS, The English District continues to function well, effi- ciently, and economically in its numerous ministries; and WuereAS, The involuntary dissolution of the English District would gouge deep wounds between the English District’s member congregations and the Synod; and WHEREAS, On balance, the proposed recommendations of the task force, if implemented, would harm rather than improve na- tional/District/congregation Synod relations; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS meeting in convention in St. Louis in 2001 reject each of the recommendations of the task force as set forth in its Preliminary Report on National/District Synod Rela- tions, including, but not limited to, the recommendations to change the structure and authority of the Synod and to dissolve the English District. Grace Wyoming, MI 8-05 To Remove Proposed Changes from Convention Consideration WHEREAS, Art. VII of the Constitution is clear when it says “the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s right of self-government it is but an advisory body”; and 2001 Convention Workbook