# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S176
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

To Establish Visitation Circuits to Best Meet
Needs of Congregations

To Adopt General Principles for Judging
Viability of Districts

RESOLUTION 7-03A

RESOLUTION 7-04A

Overture 7-03 (CW, p. 249)
Whereas, Circuits are the Synod at the local level and are the
primary organizations in serving the office of visitation to maintain consistency of doctrine and communication of God’s mission,
and they should therefore be organized in a manner that best fulfills the office of visitation; and
Whereas, The member congregations of the Synod are the basic
unit of the Synod’s polity; and
Whereas, A circuit is a network of congregations structured
“for congregations to review decisions of the Synod, to motivate
one another to action, and to shape and suggest new directions”
(Bylaw 1.3.6); and
Whereas, A primary purpose of circuits is to carry out the
office of visitation so as to walk together to conserve and promote
both the unity of faith and to carry out their mission and ministry (Bylaw 1.3.3); and
Whereas, Circuits have also carried out the function as a basic
electoral unit for selecting delegates to the Synod’s conventions; and
Whereas, Grouping congregations into circuits based on needs
for visitation and electoral needs may sometimes be in conflict; and
Whereas, Districts are authorized to create this component
part of the Synod (Bylaw 1.3.2); and
Whereas, The circuit network of congregations is that forum
where the voice of each congregation of the Synod may most clearly
impact the work of congregation, circuit, district, and the Synod;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the individual districts may establish visitation
circuits different from electoral circuits should a district determine
that this would best serve the needs of the congregations and be
beneficial to the office of visitation among its congregations; and
be it further
Resolved, That the circuit network of congregations be encouraged to gather regularly during the triennium to celebrate their
common confession and give voice to opportunities to share in
mission and ministry; and be it finally
Resolved that Bylaw 5.1.2 be amended to read:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
5.1.2	Districts shall may establish circuits according to geographical criteria.
Action: Declined (4)
(After discussion, Res. 7-03A was defeated [Yes: 295; No: 732].)

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2 0 1 3 C o n v e n t io n P r o c e e d i n g s

Overtures 7-04–7-07 (CW, pp. 249–252; Handbook, p. 189)
Whereas, Bylaw 4.1.1.3 states:
4.1.1.3

The Synod decides when and whether a district
shall be formed, divided, realigned, or merged with
another or other districts, or dissolved; determines
the boundaries of a district; and approves the name
of a district.

(a) A proposal calling for the formation, division,
realignment, merger, or dissolution of a district or
districts may be initiated by a national convention of
Synod or the Board of Directors of the Synod.
(b) Such proposals shall
(1) be submitted to the President at least six
months prior to a convention of the Synod;
(2) be produced in consultation with the Department of Planning and Research;
(3) include a substantiated description of the
nonviable aspects of the current district(s) on the
basis of general principles of viability adopted
from time to time by conventions of the Synod,
and shall specify the problems or factors which
make the adoption of the proposal advisable or
necessary;
(4) provide evidence that the proposed change is
the best of the options available;
(5) provide a specific and realistic development plan for the proposed district(s), including
detailed proposals for staff personnel and financial operations; and
(6) be the object of an evaluation prepared by the
Board of Directors of the Synod and submitted to
the convention.
Whereas, The Synod in convention gave to the task force established by 2010 Res. 8-07 the responsibility of “establishing” general
principles of viability for a district (4.1.1.3 [b] [3]); and
Whereas, The task force located previously existing and
adopted “General Principles for Formation or Realignment of Districts” (1969 Res. 4-03); and
Whereas, Those general principles read as follows:
A viable district:
1. offers adequate parish services;
2. provides adequate mission development, guidance and
support;
3. is adaptable and flexible in meeting new and various
needs for ministry;
4. has boundaries corresponding to the major communications spheres in a given area;
R e s olu t i on s