LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 155

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8. Synod Structure and Governance
Congregations Walking Together in Mission
through Circuit Networks
To Restore Circuits to Their Primary Purpose
RESOLUTION 8-02A
TF Report (CW TFR, p. 24); Overtures 8-17, 8-20, 8-57
(CW, pp. 227, 228, 241)
Whereas, The congregation is the basic unit of Synod polity; and
Whereas, A circuit is a network of congregations structured “for congregations to review decisions of the Synod, to
motivate one another to action, and to shape and suggest new
directions” (Bylaw 1 .3 .6); and
Whereas, A primary purpose of circuits is to walk together
to conserve and promote both the unity of faith and to carry
out their mission and ministry (Bylaw 1 .3 .3); and
Whereas, Districts are authorized to create this component part of the Synod (Bylaw 1 .3 .2); and
Whereas, The circuit network of congregations is that
forum where the voice of each congregation of the Synod may
most clearly impact the work of congregation, circuit, district,
and the Synod; and
Whereas, Representation at the circuit forum should be
two representatives from each congregation of the circuit–one
a pastor of the congregation and one a lay person; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the circuit network of congregations gather
during the triennium to celebrate their common confession
and give voice to opportunities to share in mission and ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That the proposed amendments to Bylaws 5 .1 .1;
5 .1 .2; 5 .2 .3 (g); 5 .3 .1 (b) (5); 5 .3 .4 and 5 .4 .2 relating to circuits
be amended accordingly as printed below .
5 .1 .1 A circuit is a network of congregations that “walks
together” for mutual care, support, advice, study, ecclesiastical
encouragement, service, coordination, resources, and counsel—
all for the sake of greater congregational participation in God’s
mission .
5 .1 .2 Districts shall establish circuits according to geographic criteria .
5 .2 .3 (g) He shall assist in the development and attainment
of synodwide mission and ministry emphases .
5 .3 .1 (b) (5) To serve as a setting to review and evaluate
programs, plans, and long-range directions of the district and
the Synod and thus participate in the triennial process of suggesting, developing, and attaining Synod priorities and goals .
5 .3 .4 The circuit forum may also participate in the triennial
process of suggesting, developing, and attaining Synod priorities and goals .
5 .4 .2 The purpose of a circuit convocation is to provide
a setting in which congregational members may learn of and
celebrate the ministry pursued by each congregation, may review and discuss the work of the circuit forum, may discuss and

Committee 8 Chairman Larry Stoterau
evaluate mission potential within the circuit, and may receive
information on various phases of the work pursued through districts and the Synod .
(a) Its emphasis should be on inspiration, education,
and motivation, and mission and theological discourse both
within and beyond the circuit . The convocation should also
be a place for in-depth discussion among all circuit congregation members of the theological and missiological issues
before the Synod .
(b) The circuit counselor shall serve as coordinator of
the circuit convocation and other circuit gatherings .
(c) The circuit counselor and any other officers shall
have the primary responsibility of preparing the agenda for
the circuit convocation .

Action: Adopted (11)
(The 8-02 version of this resolution was initially introduced by
the committee during Session 5, when the committee made several changes to the proposed resolution . The reference to Bylaw
“5 .2” in the final resolve was changed to “5 .2 .1”; the second-last
resolve was deleted; and the words “and all changes to ‘ministers
of religion–ordained’ and ‘ministers of religion–commissioned’
terminology throughout the Handbook ” were deleted from the
final resolve . During discussion, an amendment to delete the numbers “5 .1” and “5 .3” was being discussed when the committee was
asked by the chair to return with a new version of the resolution
that addressed concerns that had been raised . During Session 7, the
committee returned with version 8-02A, replacing the words “rostered member of the Synod” in the final whereas paragraph with
“pastor of the congregation .” An amendment was introduced to insert between the references to Bylaws 5 .1 .1 and 5 .2 .3 an amended
version of new Bylaw 5 .1 .2 proposed by the committee, to read as
follows: “Districts shall establish circuits according to geographic,
demographic, and mission criteria, or such other criteria as shall be
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2010 Convention Proceedings