# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S227
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

226 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

Wuereas, Some highly dedicated and qualified leaders in
the church may for reasons of conscience be unable to allow
their name to remain in nomination for this office because
the candidate must indicate in advance “His willingness to
serve if elected” (1971 Handbook LCMS Bylaw 2.129b):
therefore be it

Resolved, That this Bylaw be amended to read
b. The Secretary of the Synod shall notify each
candidate and shall secure his approval in writing
for inclusion of his name on the convention ballot.

Grace LuTHERAN CHURCH
Teaneck, N. J.

Richard Zima, Secretary
Aphonse Avellanet, President

5-53

To Eliminate or Amend Bylaw 2.127 e
(Circularizing in Elections)

Wuereas, All of men’s organizations need laws and guide-
lines in order to proceed decently and orderly; and

Wuereas, Most of men’s organizations — including LCMS
—set up laws and guidelines which permit and invite mem-
bers to participate in the affairs and business of these orga-
nizations; and

Wuereas, It is helpful and even necessary to encourage
widespread study and discussion of issues and positions; and

Whereas, It is also necessary to encourage widespread
study and discussion of views held by various candidates
and potential candidates for offices so that the offices might
be filled with persons holding those views most compatible
with the aims and needs of the organization; and

Wuereas, The lack of sufficient prayer, study, and discus-
sion in the past has undoubtedly been a factor which led to
the calling, election, and/or appointment of people in our
seminaries, schools, boards, commissions, and pulpits who
do not expound fully and clearly the doctrinal positions and
synodical practices of our synod; and

Wuereas, The Epilog of the President’s Report (made in
compliance with Resolution 2-28 of the Milwaukee conven-
tion) pointed out that:

Never before in the history of modern Christendom has a
church body, its Congregations, its lay members, its teachers,
and its pastors had an opportunity for such a frank, forthright,
and open discussion... .

and

Wuereas, The Bylaws 2.127 a through d invite congrega-
tions to participate more fully in the democratic process rela-
tive to nominations for the two highest offices in Synod; and

WHEREAS, The implementation of Bylaws 2.127 a through
d invite a discussion of persons and positions among the
brethren and such discussions require a certain amount of
verbal and written communications; and

WHEREAS, 2.127 e seems to contradict the very basic re-
quirements of “the democratic process” within the church
and (rather presumptuously) attempts to tell people outside
the church how they should act relative to our internal af-
fairs; and

Wuereas, Such Paragraphs as 2.127 e not only appear to
be paradoxical in and of themselves but also tend to equate
“circularizing” with “polities” and to suggest anything “polit-
ical” is “evil”: and

WHEREAS, It is clearly right, proper, and even salutary for
a Christian to “witness” for his beliefs and preferences
whether in areas of doctrine, of positions, or of persons —
as long as he does so without impugning motives and disre-
garding the Fourth and Eighth Commandments: therefore

e it

Resolved, That bylaw 2.127 e be eliminated or completely
altered so as to remove the seeming paradox and/or the
unwarranted inference that “circularizing” is inherently
evil; and be it further

Resolved, That this overture be forwarded through
proper channels to the New Orleans convention and also

be released to the Lutheran community as a witness to
those convictions that we have evolved after Study, discus-
sion, and prayer of many among us.

St. Pau, LutHeran CHurcy
Cincinnati, Ohio
Joseph Lewin, Secretary

5-544

To Study Ways of Electing Vice-Presidents
and of Involving District Presidents
in All Affairs

Wuereas, Much can be gained in the administration of
the affairs of the LCMS if there is more local and regional
involvement; and

Wuereas, There might be advantages to having regional
synodical Vice-Presidents, who also could be Presidents of
local Districts; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Sierra-Nevada Pastoral Conference
memorialize Synod in convention at New Orleans to estab-
lish a Study Committee which would investigate other pos-
sible ways of electing the Vice-Presidents, and ways of in-
volving the District Presidents in all affairs of the church.

SteERRA-NEVADA PASTORAL CONFERENCE
CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA District

Oren Geiger, Chairman

James A. Kabel, Secretary

Similar:

5-d4B

Golden Gate Pastoral Conference, California-Nevada Dis-
trict, Louis C. Marting, Secretary.

5-55
To Improve Election Procedures

In session 17 of the Milwaukee convention through a
motion from the floor the Commission on Constitutional
Matters was requested to develop better election procedures
for recommendation to the New Orleans convention and for
implementation perhaps already at that convention. This
request grew out of the fact that the elections consumed so
much time.

The Commission resolved to recommend the adoption of
the following Bylaw revision in an early session:

PRESENT WORDING

2.125 Majority Vote

a. A majority of all votes shall be required for
election to all elective offices and elective board
Positions.

b. Except in the election of the President and
the Vice-Presidents, the following regulations shall
apply: Candidates receiving a majority on the first
ballot shall be declared elected. When a second or
succeeding ballot is required for a majority, the
candidate receiving the fewest votes and all candi-
dates receiving less than 15% of the votes cast shall
be dropped from the ballot, unless fewer than two
candidates receive 15% or more of the votes cast,
in which case the three highest candidates shall
constitute the ballot. In every election balloting
shall continue until every position has been filled
by majority vote,

PROPOSED WORDING

a. as at present

b. Except in the election of the President and
Vice-Presidents, the following regulations shall
apply. Candidates receiving a majority on the first
ballot shall be declared elected. When a second
or succeeding ballot is required for a majority, the
candidates receiving the fewest votes shall be