LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 225

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synod structure and governance
the precise process proposed by the task force. The Committee on
Convention Nominations may attempt to bring to the Synod a regionally based slate of candidates for the Board of Directors. It may also
try to cobble together regionally-based slates for the proposed mission commissions, but it will be doing this work in the absence of
responses to a synod-wide call for nominations for worthy prospective candidates to serve on these commissions. In any case, none of
these slates will be available for 2010 convention delegates to see and
consider until the convention is underway.
Haste makes waste.
Resolved, That the Synod, if it adopts any of the BRTFSSG recommendations in the following areas, do so clearly asserting its will
that any resulting new offices are not to be implemented until Sept. 1
following the next convention of the Synod. The nominations process
preceding the next convention and the elections at that convention
could thus take place with the new offices in view. The areas are
• Elimination of any current boards and commissions (thus, even if
the task force recommendations are adopted, the current boards and
commissions would remain for one more term).
• Creation of new boards and/or commissions involving regional
representation/elections.
• Change in the composition of the Synod’s Board of Directors
involving regional representation/elections.
• Regional vice-presidencies for the Synod.
Carrollton Circuit Forum, Missouri District; Zion, Moberly, MO;
Springfield Circuit Forum, Missouri District
8-12

To Consider Recommendations of BRTFSSG as
Separate Items to Be Voted on Individually
Whereas, The final report of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on
Synod Structure and Governance (BRTFSSG) has been received and
discussed by the Sandia Circuits Forum; and
Whereas, The Sandia Circuits Forum finds some of the recommendations unacceptable but others beneficial; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Sandia Circuits Forum requests the 2010
LCMS convention to allow each recommendation of the BRTFSSG
to be voted on separately and not as a package.
North and South Sandia Circuit Forum
Rocky Mountain District
8-13

To Consider Alternate Restructure Plans and
Proposals and Decline Recommended Changes
to Synod Constitution
Whereas, Concerns about the governance and structure of the
LCMS gave rise to the Synod President’s forming of the Blue Ribbon
Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance (BRTFSSG) to
address areas which might need adjustment or correction; and
W hereas, The proposed changes, as summarized by the
BRTFSSG itself, go to the heart of who and what The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod is, to wit:

225

D. Conditions for membership in the Synod;
E. The relation of the Synod to its members; and
F. The process whereby resolutions are made and accepted by Synod in convention;
and

Whereas, These proposals will profoundly impact and alter the
Synod’s theology and practice, as well as its structure, process, and
membership; and
Whereas, The final proposals will not be available until the fall
of 2009 after the district conventions, preventing the districts in convention from considering the final proposals; and
Whereas, The currently proposed changes may well necessitate
further and unforeseen changes, the BRTFSSG itself having stated
that “it is likely that more constitutional paragraphs will require
change depending on the outcome of the task force’s work”; and
Whereas, The number, substance, and impact of these changes is
unknown and impossible to predict; and
Whereas, There has been no clearly demonstrated necessity for
immediate action; and
Whereas, There has been limited opportunity for broad-based
timely analysis and discussion across the congregations and districts
of the Synod; and
Whereas, We in the Montana District would be unable to accept
these proposed changes to the Constitution of the LCMS with a clear
conscience, as has also been stated by the Wyoming district in convention; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Montana District in convention request the
President of the Synod to suspend the current timeline for consideration of the current BRTFSSG proposals, and not to bring a plan for
restructure before the 2010 convention, and to consider alternate proposals for addressing the problems plaguing the Synod, including the
proposals put forward in the document “It’s Time: LCMS Unity and
Mission II” by Rev. Matthew Harrison; and be it further
Resolved, That the Montana District in convention memorialize
the 2010 LCMS convention to consider none of the recommended
changes to the Constitution of the Synod proposed by the BRTFSSG.
Montana District
8-14

To Retain Existing Synod Constitution
Whereas, In 2005, President Gerald Kieschnick appointed the
Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance; and
Whereas, The task force’s proposals in its final report of October
15, 2009, are far reaching in scope and significant in import; and
Whereas, Experience teaches that maximum attention must be
given to details and wording in making adjustments and/or changes
impinging on structure; and
Whereas, The Synod would do well to proceed with prayerful and
appropriate care in considering any changes; and
Whereas, The existing Constitution has served the Synod well for
many years; therefore be it
Resolved, That Our Savior Lutheran Church of Muscatine,
IA, memorialize the Synod not to change any part of the Synod’s
Constitution.
Our Savior, Muscatine, IA; Zion, Wilton, IA

A. The Synod’s reason for existence;
B. The Synod’s confession;
C. The Synod’s mission and purpose;

2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 225

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