# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S265
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 265

WHEREAS, The synodical Constitution affirms the autonomy
of the local congregation as the church (synodical Handbook,
Art. VII, p. 18, ‘Relation of Synod to Its Members’’): and

WHEREAS, We wish to further enable the congregation to be
the church: and

WHEREAS, The local congregation may need to initiate a
process whereby all members can effectively respond to issues
in the church and can determine corporate action of a non-
doctrinal nature: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod study and develop a referendum
procedure.
University Lutheran Chapel
Lawrence, Kans.
Harriet Shaffer, President
Annielaurie Seifert, Secretary

5-165

To Redefine Convention Duties
of Advisory Members

WHEREAS, The Synod at New Orleans granted equal status
to women teachers and also made them eligible to appear on
the Synod’s teacher roster: and

WHEREAS, All teachers on the roster of the Synod are pres-
ently obligated to attend the District conventions: and

WHEREAS, Such increased attendance will add substantially
to the convention expenses of congregations with schools: and

WHEREAS, Advisory teacher delegates can represent faculties
and in return report proceedings to the faculties; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Michigan District, assembled in conven-
tion, memorialize the Synod that Article 1.07 of the Bylaws of
the Synod be amended to read as follows:

1.07 Duties of Advisory Members

Advisory members of the Synod shall attend the
District conventions; however, congregations with
schools may send as many of their teacher delegates
as they choose. Such congregations shall send at
least one teacher advisory delegate per school.

Advisory members shall not be elected by any
congregation or by any group of congregations as lay
delegates to a synodical convention, nor shall they be
accredited as such. Former pastors and teachers who
are regularly engaged in a secular calling shall no
longer be considered advisory members.

Michigan District
Howard W. Kramer, Secretary

To Provide for Canceling or
Deferring District Conventions

WHEREAS, Article XII 13 of the Constitution of The Lutheran
Church ~ Missouri Synod specifies that Districts are to conduct
their conventions in years when no meeting of the Synod is
held but that the Synod, and only the Synod, may make excep-
tions to that rule; and

WHEREAS, The times in which we live suggest that there may
be occasions when it is either impractical or impossible to hold
a District convention: therefore be it

Resolved, That this synodical convention grant any ‘District
of the Synod authority to cancel a District convention, or to defer
it, provided that the action is taken upon the recommendation
of the Board of Directors of said District, with the concurrence
of two thirds of the member congregations of said District, and
in consultation with the synodical President.

Board of Directors
Southeastern District
Ralph E. Wiechmann, Secretary

5-167

To Change Circuit Counselor
Election Procedure

WHEREAS, The synodical Handbook calls for election of
Circuit Counselors by majority: “If no candidate has received
a majority, the District Secretary shall mail to each congrega-
tion in that circuit a ballot containing the names of the two men
receiving the highest number of votes” (3.61 b); and

WHEREAS, Such a majority vote is virtually impossible using
the nominating procedure of having each voting congregation
in the circuit nominate two pastors, hence requiring balloting
on the two highest nominees: and

WHEREAS, This latter step is an extensive procedure to be
taken care of by the Secretary of the District by mail: and

WHEREAS, A “plurality” vote would more likely be reached
in the initial nomination procedure: therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
change its Bylaws to establish a vote by “plurality” rather
than by “majority” in the Circuit Counselor election.

Northwest District
Emil G. Jaech, President
D. C. Schroeder, Secretary

5-168
To Seek Elimination or Amendment

of Bylaw 2.127 e

WHEREAS, Overture 5-53 (N.O. CW p. 226) was submitted to
the New Orleans convention: and

WHEREAS, The convention was unable to act on this overture
other than refer it in an omnibus bill to the Board of Directors:
and

WHEREAS, The confusion mentioned in the 5-53 overture has
been further compounded by the tremendous outpouring of
materials from ELIM, MIP, AFFIRM, DCP, etc: and

WHEREAS, The “wrong” which is perpetrated is not as to
whether something is circulated but as to the content being
circulated; therefore be it

Resolved. That Bylaw 2.127 e be eliminated or amended.

Ohio District
Carl A. Brummé, Secretary

5-169A

To Affirm Right of Lawful Assembly
and Organization

WHEREAS, Article III 8 of the Constitution of the Synod guar-
antees ‘the protection of pastors, teachers, and congregations
in the performance of their duties and the maintenance of their
rights”: and

WHEREAS, Two of these rights are the freedom of expression
within the limitations of Article II of the Constitution, and the
freedom of assembly for ‘‘the mutual conversation and consola-
tion of brethren” (Smalcald Articles, Part III, Art. IV): and

WHEREAS, An opinion of the synodical Commission on Con-
stitutional Matters, issued in the fall of 1969, states: ‘In this
opinion the commission is not attempting to limit the right of
individuals to speak their own mind. Before and after the pas-
sage or rejection of synodical resolutions, individuals must be
free to express their concerns, especially to their peers. Frank
and open discussion, carried on in the spirit of Christian love
and forebearance, must be part of our life together in the Synod”
(The Lutheran Witness, Dec. 16, 1973, p. 27); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 1.09 e, adopted at New Orleans, affirms
“retaining the right of brotherly dissent” (Proceedings, New
Orleans, p. 128): and

WHEREAS, Neither the dangers named in the aforementioned