LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1989, Page 138

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

138

RESOLUTIONS

pastors and teachers; the participation of congregations
in the work of the church-at-large and in missions; the
need and opportunities for continuing education; the
Christian training of the children; the adequate indoc-
trination of adult catechumens; and the maintenance of
family devotions.

e. He shall work through the Circuit Forum to provide
resources, opportunities, and assistance, so God’s people
can grow in their faith in their Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.

f. He shall ordinarily serve as chairman of the Circuit
Forum. The Forum may elect another member to serve
in that capacity. He shall serve as chairman of the Cir-
cuit gathering and convocations.

g. He may serve as a mediator to effect reconciliation
of disputes within the Circuit not under synodical ad-
Jjudication as outlined in Section VII of the Bylaws.

h. He shall seek to strengthen the spirit of cooperation
among pastors, teachers, and congregations.

i. He shall be conversant with and supportive of
synod-wide and District resolutions and programs and
shall be responsible for communicating them to the con-
&regations of the Circuit.

J. He may appoint from member congregations of the
Circuit, by and with the approval of the District Presi-
dent, pastors, teachers, or laypersons to assist him in
fulfilling his responsibilities.

k. Official visits shall be arranged in advance by the
Circuit Counselor with the respective pastor and con-
&regation, except under extraordinary circumstances. If
he deems it necessary, the Circuit Counselor may upon
his own initiative through the proper channels arrange
for a special meeting of the congregation.

6-48 5.15 Official Visits

a, The Circuit Counselor shall visit each congrega-
tion once in three years and otherwise as he deems it
necessary.

. Fhe-purpese-of official-visits-shaltbe The Circuit
Counselor shall seek to bring about to the greatest pos-
sible degree the achievement of the Synod’s objectives
as expressed in Article III of its Constitution.

c. The congregation of a Circuit Counselor shall be
visited by the District President or by one of the District
Vice-Presidents or by another Circuit Counselor des-
ignated by the District President.

6-45 5.17 Relation to District President

a. Each Circuit Counselor, by virtue of his office,
shall assist the District President within the Circuit,
Therefore the District President shall meet with the
Circuit Counselors of the District at least once a year
for the purpose of discussing the work of the Circuit
Counselor.

b. The Circuit Counselor shall regularly report on
his activities to the District President.

5.19 Relation to Non-member Congregations

The jurisdiction of Circuit Counselors shall include
nonmember congregations whose pastors are members
of the Synod, but for the purpose of official visits in such
a congregation the consent of the congregation shall first
be secured.

5.21 Relation to Pastors

a. The Circuit Counselor shall conduct his official
visits in an evangelical manner and not resort to legal-
istic measures.

b. He shall come to the pastor as a brotherly adviser,
reminding him of the glory of the ministry and of its
great responsibilities.

c. He shail ascertain whether the pastor is faithful
in preaching the Law and the Gospel in their purity,
properly dividing and applying them, whether he pri-
vately ministers of the needs of the individuals, exer-
cises church discipline in an evangelical manner, and

properly supervises all Christian education and training
in his parish.

d. He shall in a brotherly manner discuss the spir-
itual life, home life, and studies of the pastor with him,
also his library and professional studies and profes-
sional growth.

5.25 Expenses

The Circuit Counselor is authorized to draw on the
District treasury for his expenses.

Action: Adopted (14).

(A motion to refer the resolution to the Council of Presidents
requesting them to discuss it with their Circuit Counselors and
bring a resolution on the matter to the next convention was
defeated.)

To Publish List of Items Considered
by Commission
on Constitutional Matters

RESOLUTION 5-14
Overtures 5-20A-21 (CW, p. 229)

Wuereas, Decisions of the Commission on Constitu-
tional Matters (CCM) are available on request; and

Wuereas, Decisions printed in full are often too lengthy
for the space available in our official publications; and

Wuereas, Excerpts from opinions which have been pub-
lished are not always helpful and have at times resulted
in unfortunate misunderstandings; therefore be it

Resolved, That the CCM provide a published list of mat-
ters which it has considered so that parties with legitimate
interests and concerns may secure further information and
the rights of individuals may be protected.

Action: Adopted (15).

To Request Commission on Appeals
to Review Rules of Procedure

RESOLUTION 5-15
Overtures 5-31A-C (CW, p. 232)

Wuereas, District Commissions on Adjudication have
expressed a concern in understanding, interpreting, and
utilizing the Rules of Procedure; and

Wuereas, District Commissions on Adjudication have
also expressed additional concern that they be involved in
any revision of the Rules of Procedure; and

WuHEREAS, Bylaw 8.51 now establishes full authority to
the Commission on Appeals in an established procedure
to amend the Rules of Procedure; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Appeals be in-
structed to review its Rules of Procedure with input from
each District Commission on Adjudication; and be it
further

Resolved, That the Commission on Appeals implement
the changes it feels necessary in accordance with Bylaw
8.51.

Action: Included as part of Res. A.