LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1962, Page 192

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192 UNPRINTED MEMORIALS

well as in the place from which and the manner in
which various boards are to function; and

Wuereas, We are particularly concerned about how
the moving of the office of the Commission on College
and University Work from Chicago to centralized head-
quarters in St. Louis will affect the work of the com-
mission and its executive secretaries, Dr. Reuben W.
Hahn and the Rev. Rudolph F. Norden; and

Wuereas, We have up to this time enjoyed wonder-
ful service and unimpeded help through the commis-
sion office in Chicago; therefore be it

Resolved, Humbly to petition the convention not to
effect these changes without a thorough study of the
implications of these changes; and be it further

Resolved, To table the report and to study in the
next triennium both the theological bases and the prac-
tical implications involved in these changes.

Universtry Lurueran Aut~Stupent ASSEMBLY
West Lafayette, Ind.

Ricuarp P. Avers, Acting President

ANN Scirres, Acting Secretary

Rupotpey F, Renmer, Pastor

[616-A}

Identical with Unprinted Memorial 311-A under
Committee 3.

[621-A]
To Study Synodical Redistricting

Synodical Districts have been organized as they were
needed. Realignments have generally been effected by
the division of Districts that became too large or that
presented difficulties of distance or transportation. The
English District was added when the former English
Synod joined the Missouri Synod in 1911 and when
German was ‘the predominant language in most con-
gregations.

The process of District division was sometimes dic-
tated by the expedience of the moment, without refer-
ence to synodical.or District organization as a whole.
Sometimes available railroad transportation determined
District geography, yet this is no longer valid. As a
result a number of situations exist which are not in the
best interests of effective administration and therefore
not in the best interests of Synod:

1. Some Districts are of such geographical propor-
tions that the District officials find it difficult to make
personal contact with individual congregations, par-
ticularly if officials are elected far from the center of
the District (Western, Central, Northwest, English).

2. As many as three or four Districts operate within
the boundaries of certain states. For example: Cali-
fornia (3), Illinois (4), New York (3), Nebraska (3),
Wisconsin (3), Michigan (3). The two Nebraska Dis-
tricts and the Colorado District have congregations in
Wyoming. The Colorado, English, and Southern Cali-
fornia Districts have congregations in Arizona.

3. We have an “English District,” which contributed

importantly to the growth and development of Synod
but which no longer serves its original purpose since
the entire Synod has become “English.”

4. District administration in parish education, mis-
sions, evangelism, and stewardship often becomes un-
necessarily difficult because of these conditions, and at
times the costs of such administration must be substan-
tially increased if the work is to be properly done. Par-
ticularly where schools are involved, it is important that
Districts follow state lines (dealing with state officials) .

5. Nearly every convention of the Synod receives
one or more requests for the partition or dissolution of
Districts, without reference to surrounding Districts or
the Synod as a whole.

Recommendations
In view of this situation, the undersigned supports
the Western District Memorial 621, which suggests an
overall study of existing District lines. Recommenda-
tions might include:

1. That the Synod provide for a special committee
to make a careful overall study of the present District
boundaries. The task could also be assigned to the
Survey Commission.

2. That any proposal of the committee to the Synod
take into consideration the desirability of organizing all
Districts on a geographical basis, preferably along state
lines (either an entire State, or several states, or part
of a state, but never one District including parts of
several states).

3. That the committee be empowered both to recom-
mend the dissolution of some Districts and the creation
of new Districts in order to serve the Synod’s purposes
in the best possible manner.

4. That the committee suggest a new naming of Dis-
tricts that makes them easily identifiable in an alpha-
betical listing, thus: Wisconsin South; Wisconsin North;
Mlinois North; Illinois Central; Illinois South; etc.

5. That this committee consult the proper officials
in Districts where boundary changes or transfer of con-
gregations to other Districts seem advisable.

6. That the committee submit a report and complete
recommendations to the next convention of the Synod.

7. That, in anticipation of an overall study of District
realignment, the Synod deny all proposed changes in
present District boundaries or District alignment at the

1962 convention. Wiuiiam A. Kramer

Associate Secretary of Schools
Board of Parish Education

[627-A]
To Establish Two Additional
Vice-Presidencies, etc.

Wuereas, Our church hes, under God, grown to
great proportions particularly in the United States and
Canada; and

Wuereas, Under current conditions areas of the