Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1981 · 54th Convention › Page 50
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 50

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

50 TASK FORCE

K. Adjudication Procedures

The attention of Task Force II has been called to the fact
that present Chapter V of the Bylaws regarding Adjudication
and Appeals has presented many problems and complications
through the years. Although this was not part of the assign-
ment given to the Task Force, it nevertheless recommends:
That the convention provide for the appointment by the
synodical President of a five-person committee, includ-
ing one each from the Board of Appeals and from the
Commission on Constitutional Matters, to present to the
next convention a complete rewrite of Chapter V of the
Bylaws and pertinent paragraphs of Chapter VI.

L. Ongoing Study

Since 1956, with only aslight interruption, there has been a
special committee or task force at work under assignment by
conventions. Realizing that bylaws of an organization should
not be equated with the laws of the Medes and Persians but
should be a living, breathing thing, and that changes ought to
be suggested as new opportunities present themselves for
proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, Task Force II recommends:
That a standing Commission on Structure be called into
being, that it consist of five members appointed by the
President, two clergymen, one teacher, and two lay-
persons, and that this commission be asked to present
brief bylaws governing its work to the next convention
as well as any other suggestions regarding modifications
in the Constitution, Bylaws, or structure of the Synod.

M. Handbook Revision

Task Force II has concluded that not only many Bylaws
need to be revised if the foregoing recommendations are
adopted, but also that the outline of the Handbook itself should
be revised. It therefore recommends revisions in the Handbook
as attached. In those instances in which no revisions are
contemplated in the language, reference is simply made in
parentheses to the existing Bylaw. The proposed Bylaw
numbers as well as the present Bylaw numbers are listed side
by side for handy reference also in those instances in which
Bylaws are not printed in detail. Every Bylaw is referenced in
the following at least by its number and title. Any present

Bylaws that may not have a counterpart in the proposed
Bylaws are those which are no longer necessary because of the
changes which the convention has adopted by adopting the
foregoing sections of the report of the Task Force.

N. Additional Recommendations Regarding Implementation

To implement further the proposals of the Task Force, it
finally recommends:

1. That atransition team, consisting of the President,
First Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Admini-
strative Officer of the Board of Directors, be authorized
to make necessary adjustments and take care of any
unforseen problems regarding temporary deployment of
staff and any other implementing decisions not provided
for in the Handbook or by this convention until the new
boards, commissions, and standing committees are
operative;

2. That the elected boards will take office on the
fourth Sunday in September and the appointed support
services boards, commissions, and standing committees
as soon thereafter as possible;

3. That until the new units are operational the exist-
ing units will continue in their responsibilities;

4. That those under employment contract will be
retained on the Synod payroll for the duration of their
contract with the possibility, however, of areassignment
of responsibilities.

Conclusion

The members of Task Force I] have spent many days in
meeting and many days at home on the assignments given by
the Synod. Task Force II is grateful to the thousands of
members of the Synod who rendered assistance in many
different ways. Itis our earnest prayer that our good Lord may
use these proposals for furthering the saving message of His
grace as we in the Synod together seek to bring it to the world
which is lost in sin but which He has redeemed with His own
holy, precious blood. His we are and Him we serve!

Kermit Brashear II, Secretary

Proposed Constitution
and Bylaw Amendments
In the event that the preceding recommendations are

adopted by the convention, the Task Force proposes con-
stitutional and Bylaw amendments as follows:

A. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

1. General and District Conventions

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has decided to introduce
a three-year cycle of conventions, the first year for the general
conventions of the Synod, the second year for the Circuit
gatherings, and the third year for District conventions; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the following constitutional amendments be
approved:

PRESENT WORDING

Article VIII Synodical Meetings
A. Time and Legality of Meetings

1. The Synod convenes every two years for its
regular meeting.

Article XII Districts of the Synod and
Their Regulation

13. The regular sessions of the Districts are held
in those years in which no regular session of the
Synod is held. Only the Synod has the right to make
an exception to this rule.*

PROPOSED WORDING

Article VIII Synodical Meetings
A. Time and Legality of Meetings

1. The Synod convenes every three years for its
regular meeting.

Article XII Districts of the Synod and
Their Regulation

13. The regular sessions of the Districts are held
in the year immediately preceding the general con-
vention of the Synod. Only the Synod has the right to
make an exception to this rule.*