# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S217 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 216 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS with the President of the Synod, the Vice-Presidents, and one lay trustee appointed by the Board of Trustees from each District, and that a majority vote of this total number represents passage of any policy; and be it further Resolved, That this group meet to form policies in the months of January, May, and September of each succeeding year; and be it further Resolved, That the present Board of Directors continue to deal with the financial matters of the Synod, meeting at their regularly appointed times; and be it finally Resolved, That the expenses incurred by the lay trustees of each District for these meetings be handled by that re- spective District St. Joun’s LuTHERAN CHURCH Depew, N.Y. Ernest W. Reitzel, Chairman Audrey Cain, Secretary To Modify Organizational Structures Resolved, That we apprise our congregations, our Dis- trict, and our Synod of the need for freeing the organiza- tional structures for involvement of all of our Christians in God’s mission, urging that to the extent possible under ap- plicable law, the right of suffrage and the right to hold any elected or appointed office be given to all confirmed mem- bers (men, women, and youth); and be it further Resolved, That we encourage that lay membership on all councils, committees, boards, or commissions of the Synod and the congregations be open to all confirmed members of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod; and be it further Resolved, That this convention of our Southeastern Dis- trict urge all congregations in our District to modify pro- hibitive organizational structures and procedures so as to encourage all of God's people (men, women, and youth) to serve actively both within and outside of the organized church, making the best use of the talents with which God has blessed them so that they can and will be a blessing to many; and be it finally Resolved, That we petition the Synod to act upon these concerns when it meets in Convention at New Orleans in 1973. 973 SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT Frederick A. Stiemke, Secretary 5-12A To Introduce Quadrennial Conventions Wuereas, The biennial system of synodical conventions followed by The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod _ in- volves a great deal of expense of time, talent, and treasure; and Wuereas, Many of the resolutions proceeding from such synodical conventions are barely being fully implemented by the time of the succeeding convention; which may in turn nullify the aforementioned resolutions; and Wuereas, The elected synodical and District officers along with the synodical commissions and committees could imple- ment the policies of the Synod for a longer time, provided a certain amount of planning were done; therefore be it Resolved, That the Area I Pastor-Teacher conference of the Texas District memorialize the Synod in its New Orleans convention to plan for and to shift to a schedule of synodical conventions that would meet every 4 years, as soon as possible. AREA I] PasTorR-TEACHER CONFERENCE Texas DIstTRIcT R. G. Friedrichs, President Donald Hinz, Secretary Similar: 5-12B Immanuel Lutheran Church, Houston, Tex., C. B. Tomek, President; Elmo E. Miertschin, Pastor. 5-13A To Hold Conventions Every 4 Years Wuereas, The present schedule of holding conventions biennially has been tried for the last four conventions of the Synod; and WHEREAS, The increased number of conventions and the increasing cost of conventions can be a financial burden to a church body that has recently exercised financial restraint in American and foreign mission work; and WuerEAS, Stewardship of time and talents is important in a world that must be constantly challenged by the Gospel; and Wuereas, The religious fervor stirred up prior to con- ventions of Synod is more often than not of questionable value to the church; therefore be it Resolved, That synodical conventions be held every 4 years and that the necessary changes be made in the Articles of Incorporation. Board OF DIRECTORS FLoripa-GeorGia DIsTRICT Theodore W. Eisold, Secretary Similar: 5-13B Grace Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, Fla., Herbert Schert, Chairman. 5-14 To Adopt 3-Year Convention Schedule Wuereas, The 1971 convention of the LCMS referred the question of the frequency of synodical conventions for re- consideration to the 1973 synodical convention: and Wnereas, The Council of Administrators is recommend- ing that the present cycle of biennial synodical-District con- ventions be continued; and Wuereas, The conducting of a synodical convention every 2 years has proven to require an immense effort in terms of preparation and expense; and Whereas, The time between synodical conventions hardly allows sufficient time for implementing and testing decisions before planning must begin for the subsequent convention; and WHEREAS, Some dissatisfaction has also been expressed over the present system of biannual District conventions; therefore be it Resolved, That the Michigan District memorialize the New Orleans convention of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to adopt a schedule of holding a synodical convention every 3 years beginning in 1975; and be it further Resolved. That Handbook changes relative to terms of office and other matters relating to having a convention every 3 years be decided upon in the 1975 convention: and be it further Resolved, That one District convention every 3 years be patterned after the existing model with official business be- ing transacted: and be it further Resolved, That one District convention every 3 years be designed solely for spiritual growth. inspiration, fellowship, and Christian education without formal business being con- ducted: and be it finally Resolved, That this schedule for District conventions be- come effective beginning in 1976. MIcuHicaN DISTRICT Howard W. Kramer, Secretary an a To Initiate Changes in Synodical Conventions Wuereas, The Council of Administrators encourages Dis- tricts to send to the Committee on Organization their reac- tions as well as suggestions for improving the work of the conventions; be it