LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 59

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REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT 59

mission and ministry challenges facing the Synod througb-
out the world.

LCMS Identity

In 1988, I asked the Board for Communication Services
to undertake a careful study of ways to clarify who we are,
what we do, and how we are perceived as The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod. This study was to include an
analysis of our name. The 1989 convention gave further
encouragement to that study (cf., Res. 1-05A), asking that
it include consultation with our partner churches and the
solicitation of possible names from the congregations and
other entities of the Synod. The results of this study, now
complete, will be reported to the convention, with oppor-
tunity given to the delegates to respond to a number of
critically important questions. The results of this study can
do much to help us and our publicity efforts as we seek to
carry out our mission with great boldness.

: Recommendations

Selection Procedures

The commissions that serve the Synod in adjudication
and appeals, as well as the Commission on Constitutional
Matters, which is the official interpreter of the Constitu-
tion, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod, require a high
level of expertise, impartiality, and objectivity. In our pres-
ent arrangement, Commissions on Adjudication and Ap-
peals are elected by the convention, while the CCM is
appointed by the President in consultation with the Vice-
Presidents. Prior to the 1989 convention, recognizing that
both elective and appointed processes can be abused, I ré-
quested the Commission on Structure to study this ques-
tion (including ways by which members of the judiciary
are chosen in the civic'realm) and to make recommenda-
tions to the convention that would provide for adequate
checks and balances in the selection of competent and ob-
jective individuals for these commissions. Based on these
studies, the 1989 convention resolved to continue the same

selection procedures that have been in place for a number ‘

of years. However, the question of selection, as well as the
understanding of the function of these key commiasions,
continues to be questioned by various parties in the Synod.
Such questioning is often combined with the mistaken ng-
tion that the President seeks the power to appoint all of
these commissions. Again categorically denying that ab-
sertion, ] repeat my 1989 recommendation to the Synod
that we again review our selection process for all such
commissions to insure their maximum objectivity and
effectiveness.

‘ Congregational Mission Boards

I recommend that this convention encourage every con-
gregation to identify a committee or board of interested
.members who will study the many mission and ministry
projects carried out by the District and the Synod through-
out the world, keep their congregation informed of all such

efforts, make recommendations to the voters assembly con-.

cerning the mission implications of the congregational bud-
get, and assist the pastor and other congregational leaders
in educating and assisting congregational members to be

as involved as possible in telling everyone what He has
done.

: Regional Approaches to Staffing

' IT recommend that the convention encourage appropri-
ate District and national leaders to consider regional ap-
proaches to staffing, including the use of trained
volunteers, to assist the congregations of the Synod in vi-
sion, networking, and compatible relations in support of
the mission and ministry of the entire Synod.

Theological Study

I recommend that the convention encourage the pastors
and teachers conferences of the Synod, assisted by the
CTCR and the Council of Presidents, to give intensive on-
going study to the following issues: the nature and dis-
tinctive functions of the pastoral office, the ministries of
men and women in the church, Communion practices, Lu-
theran worship practices, dealing with divisive and dis-
ruptive conduct, and end of life questions.

Uncertified Pastors
I recommend that the convention direct that any LCMS
congregations currently being served by a pastor who is
not an officially certified LCMS pastor be counseled by its
District President on how it may rectify that anomaly at
the earliest possible date.

Adjudication and Appeals

' Trecommend that the Synod clarify its Bylaws to state
the following:

1. That the Commission on Appeals and all other ad-
judicatory agencies of the Synod and its Districts must
accept all CCM interpretations of the Constitution, By-

' laws, and policies of the Synod issued prior to and apart

from any case in adjudication as binding on such cases
until and unless those interpretations are overturned by
a convention (Bylaw 3.533 d). ,

| 2. That no synodical or ‘District adjudicatory agency
may accept any case until it has been determined by that
commission that the complainant has followed biblical
mandates urging the interpersonal reconciliation of issues.

' 3. That all adjudicatory and appeals commissions or
agencies are to apply the synodical position, whether a
matter of doctrine or order, to whatever cases they are
considering, and that such commissions and agencies have
no authority to determine de novo such positions of the
Synod or to set synodical positions aside as they judge cases
in which synodical doctrine and order are an issue.

4. That any and all persons serving on commissions of
adjudication or appeals with a real or apparent conflict of
interest must be excluded from sitting in judgment on such
cases where that conflict exists or appears from available
information to exist.

5. That synodical Bylaws that prohibit publicity of is-
sues in a case (cf., 8.51 m) do not limit the responsible
reporting of the nature of a case and of the synodical pro-
cedures being followed to handle it.

Civil Action
! I recommend that the convention state that any syn-