Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1981 · 54th Convention › Page 131
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 131

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

TASK FORCE 131

—__—. 1) Yes, and as a separate category of delegate, i.e.,
each Circuit would have a pastor delegate, a lay
delegate, and a teacher delegate.

___ 2) Yes, but not as a separate category of delegate.
Each Circuit should have a professional represen-
tative, which can be either a pastor or a teacher,
and a lay delegate.

___ 3) Yes, but not as a separate category of delegate.
Each Circuit should have a pastor delegate and a
second delegate who would be either a layperson or
a teacher.

___. 4) Yes, with all teachers in a District electing several
voting delegates according to a mathematical
formula.

5) No, it should remain as it is.

17. The proposals for change made by the Task Force for the
reorganization of the Synod, viewed as a whole, represent
—— 1) A move toward greater centralization
—— 2) A move toward greater decentralization
—— 3) No real change from the present

18. In general are you satisfied with the recommendations of
the Task Force?
—— 1) Yes 2) No

: Task Force on Constitution,

Bylaws, and Structure
Herbert Mueller, Chairman
Kermit Brashear II, Secretary

2-03
To Reject Proposals of Task Force

WHEREAS, For some years there has been a tendency for
more centralization of government within the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The growth of full-time officials in more and more
Districts has not resulted in more harmony but less and has not
resulted in more ‘walking together” but in more falling apart;
and

WHEREAS, The Task Force has been making proposals that
appear to further the centralization tendencies; and

WHEREAS, Our existing Constitution and Bylaws would
likely serve us better if honored more; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reject the Task
Force proposals.

Trinity Lutheran Church

Scarsdale, N.Y.

M. C. Meyer, Pastor

Alfred Barsuhn, President

2-04
To Refrain from Making Changes

WHEREAS, The Task Force has reportedly cost the Synod
$310,000 prior to the 1979 convention of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Even more finances will be required to continue
the work of the Task Force committee; and

WHEREAS, Little of the revised constitutional work of the
Task Force has been accepted by the last convention; and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Constitution has served the Synod
well in the past; and

WHEREAS, The Synod is attempting to move forward in
mission as God has opened doors: therefore be it

Resolved, That we refrain from using energies and finances
for rewriting the Constitution at this time, and that we dismiss
the Task Force with thanks.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Forestville, Wis.

Robert Schley, Chairman
Kenneth Draves, Secretary
Alfred Zutz, Pastor

2-05A

To Postpone Action
on Task Force Proposals

WHEREAS. Yet another task force, Task Force II. has madea
preliminary report available to the church; and

WHEREAS, This report indicates rather considerable changes
in boards and committees, giving rise to concern as to the
wisdom of some of these changes; and

WHEREAS, Relatively large elected boards would be aug-
mented by appointed support boards to accomplish specific
ends, making board members less familiar with their particular
functions than at present and resulting in many of Synod’s
personnel being appointed rather than elected: and

WHEREAS, Circuit conventions would seem to be able to
accomplish little and would require funds, diluting or eliminat-
ing the savings of a proposed three-year convention cycle; and

WHEREAS, Doubling the number of members of the Nomi-
nating Committee would make it overly ponderous and could
result in consensus being difficult to accomplish; and

WHEREAS, This seems to be other than simplification and
would tend to further isolate the individual congregation from
decisions necessary to run the Synod, particularly if question 8
on the voluntary response is to be interpreted that resolutions
ought to originate in the Circuits; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Task Force be thanked for its efforts but
that no action be taken on these proposals at the 1981
convention; and be it further

Resolved, That an exact proposal be developed and sent out
tothe church at least one year in advance of any convention at
which it is to be considered; and be it finally

Resolved. That sufficient lead time be given any such
changes so that an orderly transition could be accomplished.

Trinity Lutheran Church

Warren, Ohio
Norman Schinkel, Pastor
Edward Bellin. Chairman
Michael Mason. Secretary

Identical or similar:

2-05B to 2-05D

St. Thomas, Rocky River, Ohio
St. Marks. Youngstown, Ohio
St. Paul’s, Fairmont, Minn.

Phillip Giessler
Ronald Theis
Vernon H. Harley

2-06
To Conduct Triennial Conventions

WHEREAS, The cost of conducting conventions has increased
substantially since 1962, when the Synod resolved to conduct
biennial conventions starting in 1965 (Res. 6-07); and

WHEREAS, Biennial conventions allow little time for boards
and staff toimplement major decisions before preparing for the
next convention; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Indiana District hereby requests the
Synod to meet triennially hereafter, beginning with the next
convention, to be held in 1984; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod accordingly take appropriate
steps to revise all Bylaws affected.

Indiana District
Donald Biester, Secretary

2-07
To Hold Fewer Synodical Conventions

WHEREAS, The ever-increasing costs of synodical conven-
tions place a real time and financial burden upon the Synod, its
Districts, and its congregations; and

WHEREAS, The frequency of conventions does not neces-
sarily result in a better program than that which long-range
planning may produce; and