# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S292 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 292 NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS vention will allow even less time for input and discussion at all lev- els of the church before it is acted upon; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2001 synodical convention table the Task Force Report on Nattonal/District Synod Relations; and be it fur- ther Resolved, That a process be implemented to gather input re- garding the Task Force Report on National/District Synod Rela- tions over the next three years, especially at the congregational level, so that a plan can be devised to build trust and support for how we accomplish the mission that is ours together in Jesus Christ. Nebraska District 8-11 To Table Task Force Report to Address Concerns WHEREAS. An objective of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is to deal with one another in an evangelical manner; and WHEREAS, The recommendations of the Task Force on Na- tional/District Synod Relations reflect in several instances a goal of uniformity rather than unity; and WHEREAS, The membership of the Task Force did not include a representative of Ministers of Religion—Commissioned; and WHEREAS, There were to be two District Presidents involved as members of the Task Force and only one was able to participate to a significant extent; and WHEREAS. The time for discussion of the report and its implica- tions for the church was severely limited by the timing of its re- lease; therefore be it Resolved, That the existing report of the Task Force be tabled until such time as these issues and concerns can be broadly ad- dressed throughout the Synod, enabling a report to be prepared and submitted that reflects the historic and evangelical position of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Board of Directors Michigan District 8-12 To Table and Provide Study Documents for Task Force Report WHEREAS, There is much misunderstanding over the report of the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations and an obvi- ous need for informing the members of the LCMS just what is in- tended; and WHEREAS, The Task Force report appears to bring a major change in the priority of authority within the Synod; therefore be it Resolved, That the Task Force report be tabled until the 2004 convention; and be it further Resolved, That detailed study documents be provided for all member congregations during the next three years so that they may better understand the true direction of the Task Force report. Holy Trinity Gulfport. MS 8-13 To Consider TF Recommendations at Later Date WHEREAS, Res. 7-02 A of the [998 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod directed the President of the Synod in consultation with and mutual concurrence of the Board of Direc- tors to appoint a task force to study the Synod as it exists and re- lates to itself on the national, District, and Circuit levels; and WHEREAS, The task force appointed by President Barry has is- sued a preliminary report in which it offers numerous recommen- dations for changes in the Bylaws of the Synod; and WHEREAS, Many of these recommendations appear to micro- manage the actions and activities of the Districts and their Circuits 2001 Convention Workbook (e.g.. proposed requirements for visits by Circuit Counselors, re- quirement concerning District elections for District presidency and vice-presidency, recommendation to question the right of Districts to offer training and certification for church workers, requirement that District Board of Directors allocate necessary funds for the support of the national budget, requirement for budget consultation on a regional level); and WHEREAS, Congregations have not had enough time to study and consider such recommendations and their effect upon the con- gregations; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention deplore the tendency to centralize authority in the national Synod and its leadership at the expense of local leadership; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod decline to give consideration to the current task force’s recommendations at this convention; and be it further Resolved, That a summary of the changes and rationale for such changes be prepared and distributed to all congregations by January 1, 2002; and be it further Resolved, That any worthwhile recommendations may be of- fered to the 2004 convention by means of overtures; and be it fi- nally Resolved, That the members of the current task force be thanked for their efforts and released from further responsibilities. Advent, Chapel Hill, NC; Circuit 13, Southeastern District 8-14 To Declare Moratorium on Restructuring Proposals WHEREAS, The Preliminary Report of Task Force on Na- tional/District Synod Relations (“TF” hereafter) recommends a massive program of restructuring, suggesting new District align- ments, changing the size, character, and purpose of Circuits, di- minishing the authority of District Presidents while increasing the authority of Circuit Counselors, and instituting a centralized, au- thoritarian approach to ecclesiastical oversight within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and WHEREAS, The rationale for the TF recommendations includes the assumption that stricter oversight and compulsory obedience to Synod resolutions will resolve ongoing doctrinal tension and dis- agreements; and WHEREAS, The ongoing restructuring attempts of the past twenty years have failed to promote doctrinal unity or to resolve areas of disagreement; and WHEREAS, These restructuring attempts coincide with a decline in Synod membership, having served instead as sources of division and having drawn attention away from the mission of the church; and WHEREAS, The TF recommendations have already sparked an increasing level of dissension and animosity within the Synod, driving us farther apart rather than drawing us closer together; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod thank the members of the TF for their hard work and their efforts: and be it turther Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con- vention decline recommendations of the TF; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod declare a moratorium for at least the next triennium on any proposals for restructuring; and be it finally Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con- vention call on the President of the Synod to encourage the churches, pastors, and Districts of the Synod to redirect their ener- gies instead toward mission to the world, prayerful study of God's Word, and dialogue between their members to further the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Board of Directors English District