# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S301 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS 301 Wuereas, These complementary alternative approaches to mis- sion and ministry are often facilitated by nongeographic Districts; and WHEREAS. These complementary alternative approaches to mis- sion and ministry provide significant resources to the geographic Districts of the Synod; therefore be it Resolved, That the nongeographic Districts of the Synod not be eliminated; and be it further Resolved, That we thank and praise God for the mission and ministry of all Districts of the Synod, both geographic and non- geographic. Messiah Parker, AZ 8-55 To Affirm Present Structure of Districts WHEREAS, The creation of Districts has been an effective means to conduct affairs of both geographically and nongeographically connected members of the Synod; and WHEREAS, Synod’s current District structure allows locally sit- uated ministries best to realize the mission God has entrusted to them without outside interference from those who do not under- stand or appreciate local needs and circumstances, and Wuereas, The District structure has allowed members of the Synod to express their will to an advisory Synod through such means as a District convention; and Wuereas, A task force on the relationship between the Synod and Districts seeks the guidance of the Synod on its work; there- fore be it Resolved, That the Northwest District in convention inform the synodical task force on the relation between the Synod and its Dis- tricts that the current District structure represents the will of the Northwest District; and be it further Resolved, That the Northwest District in convention offer its thanks to God for the many blessings God has given through the current, historic District structure of our Synod. Northwest District 8-56 To Affirm Right of Nongeographic Districts to Determine Own Status WHEREAS, The Task Force on National/District Synod Rela- tions’ reasons for its recommendation are directed toward conve- nience in a man-made order and fail to address the question of whether mission and outreach are enhanced by this action; and Wuereas, The English District emphasis on mission by its con- gregations in joint assembly would certainly be diminished or pos- sibly lost by separating these congregations into respective geo- graphic Districts; and WHEREAS, The task force failed to consider that the Canadian congregations currently served by the English District and thus tied to the LCMS would not have a geographic district to receive them and likely would be lost to the LCMS; and WHEREAS, The prior agreement by the Synod to first receive en- dorsement by the nongeographic Districts before recommending dissolution was not followed in the current task force recommen- dations: and Wuereas. The English District has in convention on 6/16/2000 passed a resolution “To Affirm Right of English District to Deter- mine Its Own Status”; and Wuereas, The historical precedents of self-determination that brought the English District and SELC into the LCMS should equally apply to determining their status with the Synod: therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS in convention in 2001 reject the task force recommendations that would lead to the dissolution of the nongeographic Districts within the Synod; and be it further Resolved, That the LCMS approve the English District resolu- tion “To Affirm Right of English District to Determine Its Own Status.” Faith Arlington Heights, [L 8-57 To Affirm Nongeographic Districts as Models WuereaS, The Task Force has concluded four main points for dismantling nongeographical Districts; and WHEREAS, We as a congregation can find little or no merit to these four main points; and WHEREAS, We as a congregation support both the Synod and the District with firstfruit stewardship: and Wuereas, We as a congregation owe our very existence to the English District; and WHEREAS, We as a congregation have been given the opportu- nity to reach across geographical limits to support mission starts as a collateral partner with other District congregations; and WHEREAS. We as a congregation place great value on history: however. we do not allow it to stand in the way of God’s work: and WHEREAS, We as a congregation use and support the use of technology to further the vision of mission and ministry. not use technology as a reason to curtail Mission and Ministry goals; there- fore be it Resolved, That the LCMS in convention affirm the nongeo- graphical Districts of the Synod; and be it further Resolved, That the LCMS in convention look to the nongeo- graphical Districts as a model for the use of District congregational assets to promote mission starts; and be it further Resolved, That the LCMS in convention look to the nongeo- graphical Districts for leadership in using technology as a way to extend the Kingdom: and be it finally Resolved, That the LCMS in convention put the matter of the validity of nongeographical Districts to rest forevermore. Prince of Peace Medina, OH 8-58 To Reject Task Force Proposal re English District Wuereas. The English District takes seriously its responsibility to “say and do the same things in matters of doctrine and practice enjoined upon the church by God Himself in His Word” (Task Force, p. 6) and those matters of doctrine and practice that the Lutheran Confessions teach, and which pastors and congregations subscribe to as the true exposition of the Word of God; and Wuereas, The English District takes seriously the scriptural in- junction to’ maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3), and therefore strives for and has maintained a collegial. peaceful spirit in its relationships; and WHEREAS, Past and current Presidents have striven to exercise their responsibility to provide evangelical doctrinal supervision for church workers and congregations in their care; and Wuereas, Restructuring would neglect or undermine the mis- sion and outreach of the Synod and also the peace and harmony and trust that now exist, and WHEREAS, The Task Force bases its proposal to dissolve and amalgamate the English District on these points: * The cost of operating nongeographic Districts * The absence of compelling reason to continue the nongeo- graphic Districts 2001 Convention Workbook