# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S255 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION 255 7-55 To Amend Bylaws 3.9.2.2.4 and 3.3.5.3 WHEREAS, There is confusion regarding the respective roles of the CCM and the Board of Directors regarding the review of pro- gram boards’ and commissions’ policy manuals; and WHEREAS, Both groups have responsibility for certain different as- pects of these policies related to their spheres of responsibility; and WHEREAS, The CCM is given the responsibility in the Hand- book to examine the documents of these agencies of Synod “‘to as- certain whether they are in harmony with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod”; and WHEREAS, The Board of Directors is given the responsibility in the Handbook for the “coordination of the policies and directives of the Synod”; therefore be it Resolved, That Bylaws 3.9.2.2.4 and 3.3.5.3 be amended to read as follows: PRESENF/PROPOSED WORDING 3.9.2.2.4 The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall examine in advance the articles of incorporation and the bylaws or reguletions policies of every agency of the Synod and all proposed amendments of such documents to ascertain whether they are in harmony with the Con- stitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod. (a) An agency of the Synod shall make such amendments to or changes in these documents as may be necessary to conform. (b) The commission shall maintain a file of the articles of incorpo- ration, and bylaws, and seguiations policies of all agencies of the Synod. 3.3.5.3 The Board of Directors shall provide for the review and co- ordination of the policies and directives of the Synod authorized by the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod, evaluating plans and policies and communicating to the appropriate boards and commis- sions suggestions for improvement_and, i e _and, in the case of program boards and commissions, require changes for compliance with Board of Direc- tors’ policies within the sphere of i ibili Commission on Structure 7-56 To Determine Full-Time District Presidencies by District Remittances to Synod WuereAS, The total number of those holding membership in LCMS congregations has been consistently declining over the years; and WHEREAS, The number of staff, executives, administrators, and employees in Synod’s district offices has steadily increased; and WHEREAS, The church has been continuously cautioned con- cerning the prospective shortage of pastors; and WHEREAS, There is an egregious disparity in the amount of funds forwarded to Synod by each District for Synod’s work-at- large (see 2007 The Lutheran Annual, p. 737, with the Mid-South District forwarding $21.50 per confirmed member per year, while another District forwarded $1.69); therefore be it Resolved, To obtain a fair average and using the Synod statistics for the Summary of Contributions from the districts for the years 2007 and 2008, beginning with the district conventions in 2009, all districts which, for the two-year average, have submitted an aver- age offering per confirmed member of $10.00 or more shall be served by a full-time district president, and all other districts shall be served by a part-time president. First Blytheville, AR 7-57 To Give Thanks for the Work of Our Circuit Counselors Wuerea§, Each district of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is divided into circuits, with each circuit having an ordained minister in each circuit serving as circuit counselor; and WHEREAS, In most circuits, the circuit counselor is also serving as a parish pastor; and WHEREAS, The circuit counselor is a great help to both congre- gations, schools, and ordained and commissioned ministers through his presence, his advice, his counsel; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2007 LCMS convention thank those serving as circuit counselors and pray for God’s continued blessing upon their service to the church. Our Savior Pratt, KS 7-58 To Amend Bylaw re Circuit Counselor Nominations WHEREAS, The nominee for circuit counselor is chosen not by election but by number of nominations received (Bylaw 5.2.2); and WHEREAS, The circuit counselor shall assist the district presi- dent, as assigned, in the ecclesiastical supervision of the other members of the Synod in the circuit (Bylaw 5.2.3.3), potentially affecting each member of the Synod in the circuit; therefore be it Resolved, That Bylaw 5.2.2 (a) and (b) be amended as follows: PRESENF/PROPOSED WORDING (a) Every voting congregation of each circuit shall be enti- tled to nominate as a candidate for the office of circuit counselor either one or two individual pastors of the member congrega- tions of the circuit or from among the emeriti who hold mem- bership in one of the member congregations of that circuit. (4) The nominations shall be made at least four months prior to the eleetions district convention and shall be submitted to the nominating committee through the secretary of the district. (b) $-ne-eandidate-has-received-e-majerity-tThe district sec- retary shall forward to each congregation in that circuit an addi- tional ballot with the names of the nominees #ve-men-ermere (1) The congregations shall then mark their ballot with one name and return it to the district secretary by the date specified by him. (2) The pastor who receives the majority of votes cast shall be the nominee. Bethany Fort Wayne, IN 7-59 To Rethink Synod Conventions WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has traditionally been a leg- islative experience, provoking dissension, politicking, and hard feelings; therefore be it Resolved, That we rethink Synod conventions, seeing these times together as primarily a time to rejoice over what God is doing through our Synod; to pray for our missions, missionaries, and con- gregations; to share methods that congregations have found helpful in outreach, stewardship, youth, education, and worship; and to hear Christ-centered, biblical presentations. Hosanna Mankato, MN 7-60 To Amend Bylaw 5.3.2 re Convening of Circuit Forum WHEREAS, The circuit forum is encouraged to meet at least twice a year (Bylaw 5.3.1); and