# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S256 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 256 Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters (4) Congregations who are calling a candidate will specify if they wish to call a candidate under this bylaw or under Bylaw 2.9. (5) In the event that there are not sufficient calling congregations to place all candidates, those candidates who are seeking placement under Bylaw 2.9 will receive priority. (6) The Council of Presidents shall report at least annually in an official periodical of the Synod: the number of candidates who have requested placement under this bylaw, the number of placements made, and the number of candidates who have requested placement but have not yet been placed. (7) Congregations are encouraged to request candidates under this bylaw when such candidates are qualified and available. Trinity Wheatland, WY Handbook’s bylaw amendment solutions to the 2013 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. (A) Requests for CCM/CTCR Opinions (Bylaw 2.14.7.8 [k]) Rationale It is important that all time requirements provided by bylaw in the Synod’s expulsion processes be honored, including the 30-day requirement for the provision of Commission on Constitutional Matters and Commission on Theology and Church Relations opinions requested as part of the process. To underscore the need for these commissions to make such arrangements as are necessary to fulfill this requirement, the Commission on Handbook advocates the following bylaw changes. PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 7-18 To Create and Share List of Emeritus Clergy Willing to Serve Whereas, God has given us the Holy Ministry that the Word may be preached and the Sacraments administered rightly; and Whereas, God has also blessed the Northwest District with many varied congregations both large and small, the small becoming an ever increasing factor; and Whereas, Many of the congregations, especially rural and coastal congregations, are not large enough to support a full-time pastor but are still viable and necessary in their communities; and Whereas, There are retired pastors who are willing to serve these congregations on a part-time basis, even relocating to that community, if given the opportunity; and Whereas, There are congregations willing to call such pastors if a list were available; and Whereas, There is now no such formalized list; therefore be it Resolved, That the offices of the Northwest District, specifically the office of the president, compile such a list, and that he make it known to interested congregations; and be it further Resolved, That circuit counselors ask pastors about to retire if they are interested in such a ministry to make the information available on their SET; and be it further Resolved, That retiring pastors make it known to the district office that they are willing to enter into such an arrangement; and be it finally Resolved, That the Northwest District memorialize the Synod to encourage other districts to also compile such a list and share it across district lines. Northwest District 2.14.7.8 (k) If any part of the dispute involves a specific question of doctrine or doctrinal application, each party shall have the right to an opinion from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR). If it involves questions of constitution or bylaw interpretation, each party shall have a right to an interpretation from the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM). (1) The request for an opinion must be made through the panel, which shall determine the wording of the question(s). (2) The request for an opinion must be made within 30 days of the final formation of the panel. If a party does not request such an opinion within the designated time, such a request may still be made to the panel, which shall, at its discretion, determine whether the request shall be forwarded. The panel shall also have the right, at any time, to request an opinion from the CCM or the CTCR. (3) Any opinion so requested shall be rendered within 30 days or such greater time as the panel may allow. The CCM and the CTCR shall have in place procedures for responding within this 30-day time frame to such requests for opinions. (4) When an opinion has been requested, the time limitations will not apply until the parties have received the opinion. The panel must follow any opinion received from either the CCM or the CTCR. (B) Composition of Hearing and Final Hearing Panels (Bylaws 2.14.7.2; 2.15.7.2; 2.17.7.2) Rationale In order to broaden district representation and to avoid the appearance of unfairness or the potential for undue influence, the Commission on Handbook proposes the following changes to the bylaws governing the composition of dispute resolution and appeal panels for adoption by the 2013 LCMS convention. PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 7-19 To Address Handbook Issues re Expulsion Processes (Bylaw Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17) Background During the triennium, concerns related to Bylaw sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, and 2.17 (expulsion from Synod membership) were brought to the attention of the Commission on Handbook. This overture identifies those concerns and proposes the Commission on 2013 Convention Workbook 2.14.7.2 A Hearing Panel selected as follows, consisting of two district presidents (excluding the involved district president[s]) and one reconciler who is a layperson, but excluding the involved district president(s) selected as follows, shall conduct the hearing: (a) One district president shall be selected by the accused. (b) One district president shall be selected by the ecclesiastical supervisor who imposed the suspended status (a district president may not choose himself). (c) One reconciler who is a layperson shall be chosen by blind draw from the Synod’s roster of reconcilers, with the blind draw administered by the Secretary of the Synod and audited by witnesses. (d) Each Hearing Panel shall be assisted by a nonvoting hearing facilitator selected according to Bylaw 2.14.2 (j).