# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S253
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters
Whereas, It is beneficial that the circuit counselor be familiar
with and closely associated with the circuit’s congregations, workers,
and members in order to promote and preserve harmony and trust; and
Whereas, That close association is best built and maintained by
both a close physical and spiritual presence as a member of the circuit; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2013 LCMS convention amend the Constitution
and/or Bylaws so that only an ordained clergyman who is a member
of a congregation within the circuit may be elected/appointed as its
circuit counselor unless no ordained clergyman within the circuit is
willing or eligible to stand for election/appointment.
Circuit 22
Texas District
7-12

To Afford Local Circuit First Option in Filling
Circuit Counselor Vacancy
Whereas, The spirit of our last Synod convention was to encourage grassroots involvement; and
Whereas, The circuit counselor is the Synod representative most
closely relating to the circuit congregations and most expected to
understand local needs and challenges; and
Whereas, Under normal conditions, circuit counselors are chosen by vote of the circuit congregations; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention amend the Bylaws to
direct district presidents to first offer the local circuit the opportunity
to nominate and elect a replacement circuit counselor in the event of
a vacancy before filling the vacancy by appointment.
Ebenezer
Paige, Texas
7-13

To Improve Circuit Forum Meeting Process
for Selection of Circuit Counselors
Whereas, In the 1980s, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
adopted a three-year cycle for its principal meetings: circuit forums,
followed about a year later by district conventions, followed about a
year later by a Synod convention; and
Whereas, Nominating candidates for the office of circuit counselor is a required action of the circuit forums meeting in session in
order to be reported to the district convention for ratification; and
Whereas, The Synod’s Commission on Constitutional Matters
has interpreted “meeting” to mean a “face-to-face” gathering; and
Whereas, In some instance in numerous districts participation in
circuit forums by some congregations ranges from a major difficulty
to an impossibility due to geography, distance, and wise economical
stewardship, thus effectively disenfranchising those congregations
in the important process of nominating their circuit counselor; therefore be it
Resolved, That the English District memorialize the 2013 Synod
convention to adopt the following proposed changes to Bylaw 5.2.2
(changes underlined):
5.2.2 The circuit counselor shall hold his position by virtue of his
selection by the circuit forum and ratification by the district convention.
(a) Circuit forums shall meet at the call of their circuit counselors to
select their circuit counselors no later than the time established by
the district. When expedient, the Praesidium of the district may authorize a circuit counselor to conduct meetings of the circuit forum

253

by means of video telecommunication.
(d) All nominated pastors serving congregations and emeriti pastors
shall be eligible for election in accordance with section 4.3 of these
Bylaws.
(4) At circuit forums being conducted by means of video telecommunication, ballots may be submitted in digital format.

English District
7-14

To Amend Process for Electing Synod Convention
Delegates
Whereas, The Synod convention is the “principal legislative
assembly, which amends the Constitution and Bylaws, considers
and takes action on reports and overtures, and handles appropriate
appeals … establishes general positions and policies of the Synod,
provides overall program direction and priorities, and evaluates all
such positions, programs, policies, directions, and priorities in order
to provide responsible service for and on behalf of its members”
(Bylaw 3.1.1); and
Whereas, Voting membership in the Synod is held by all member congregations of the Synod and exercised through their elected
representatives to Synod and district conventions; and
Whereas, Removal of electoral function of circuits eliminates the
need for so-called exceptional circuit delegates; and
Whereas, The number of delegates to a Synod convention should
be established to enable greater engagement of the delegates in the
discussion and the proceedings of mission and business; ensure equity
in the number of delegates each district is apportioned; and allow for
a greater stewardship of the gifts of God’s people for the work of mission and ministry by opening up less expensive venues; and
Whereas, It is important that representatives of member congregations understand in advance of the election of delegates for Synod
conventions that an orderly process will be followed, one that includes
an apportioning of congregations in light of the district’s prescribed
number of delegates; a selection of delegates in a manner that takes
into consideration reasonable and equitable representation; a process for creating electoral clusters; and an election by those electoral
clusters; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Nebraska District memorialize The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod to establish a fixed number of voting delegates to the Synod convention based on 10 percent of the number of
member congregations in the Synod six months prior to the first district convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the Nebraska District memorialize The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod to establish that voting delegates for Synod
conventions be elected by electoral clusters; and be it further
Resolved, That the Nebraska District memorialize The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod to allow each district to select advisory delegates retaining the proportionate representation to voting delegates
as is currently followed; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Nebraska District memorialize The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod to amend Bylaws 3.1.2, 3.1.2.1, 3.1.2.2,
and 3.1.3.1 accordingly, the final wording of these bylaws to read
as follows:
Voting Delegates
3.1.2 The Office of the Secretary of the LCMS shall facilitate the
election of voting delegates to the next following Synod convention.
These delegates shall be elected for three-year terms during the conventions of the districts of the Synod.

2013 Convention Workbook