LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 242

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242

Synod Structure and Governance

Whereas, The same Wyoming District convention also adopted
Res. 1-04-91 “To Change the Name of Circuit Counselor in the
Wyoming District to Circuit Visitor” based on the following points:
1.
2.
3.

4.

The majority of a circuit counselor’s work is visitation of the
circuit congregations and their pastors and their families;
The circuit counselor shall “visit” each congregation once in
three years, and as he feels necessary;
The Wyoming District has initiated the “Episcope” program
among the congregations—visiting congregations on a personal
level and visiting the pastor and his family;
The circuit counselor in past history was referred to as a “circuit
visitor” and not a counselor, (as his task is the support and supervision of the pastors and congregations in his circuit).

groups, and alumni associations could be involved in the decisionmaking process if they were present at the convention. It is important
to be accurate and specific when referring to the group that is making decisions and doing the electing.
Resolved, That the phrase “LCMS House of Delegates” be substituted for “Synod in convention” in all formal documents and
communications of the LCMS when referring to the supreme legislative and policy-making body.
St. John
Aurora, IN
8-62

and

Whereas, Eighteen years later, the Synod’s Handbook still speaks
of the circuit counselor making a “triennial visitation of the congregations of the circuit” (Bylaw 5.2.3.1) and “an official visit” and “visits”
(Bylaw 5.2.3.1 [c]); and
Whereas, The 1991 Wyoming District convention (Res. 1-0491) adopted the use of “circuit visitor” in place of “circuit counselor”
in the Wyoming District Handbook, which has been the Wyoming
District’s eighteen-year terminology and practice; and
Whereas, The same Res. 1-04-91 memorialized the Synod to
make this same change in terminology and practice; therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the Wyoming District in convention once again memorialize the Synod to return to the use of the
historic words “circuit visitor.”
Wyoming District
8-60

To Increase Convention Quorum Requirement
Whereas, Constitution Art. VIII A 2 requires the presence of onefourth of the constitutionally elected voting representatives for a legal
convention; and
Whereas, The Synod will, during its 2010 LCMS convention,
be considering lowering the number of elected voting representatives to 650; and
Whereas, This could result in as little as only 163 representatives
being required to be present to decide upon the important theological
and practical matters placed before the convention; and
Whereas, The Synod in convention makes decisions that could
impact the entire Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That all the voting representatives be lovingly and
strongly encouraged to fulfill their responsibilities throughout the
entire proceedings of conventions; and be it further
Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention consider raising the
percentage of elected voting representatives by amending Art. VIII
A 2.
St. James
Lexington, TX
8-61

To Change Terminology of National Convention
Rationale
Most organizations refer to their supreme legislative and policymaking bodies with phrases like “house of delegates” or “delegate
assembly.” The phrase “Synod in convention” is not very specific and
implies that related organizations such as mission societies, women’s

To Continue to Allow Congregations
to Choose Vice-Presidents
Whereas, St. Paul reminds us to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient,
bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity
of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1–3); and
Whereas, St. Paul reminds us that the “acts of the sinful nature
are obvious … selfish ambition, dissensions, factions … and the like”
(Gal. 5:19–21); and
Whereas, The great apostle criticizes the party spirit of some of
the Corinthians because some were following Paul, others Apollos,
others Cephas, and still others Christ; and
Whereas, Our Lord Himself tells us, “If anyone wants to be first,
he must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35); and
Whereas, The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and
Governance rightly seeks “to broaden the voice and participation of
the congregations in the Synod”; and
Whereas, The great apostle seems to trust the judgment of even
the most humble Christian when he asks, “Do you not know that the
saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are
you not competent to judge trivial matters? Do you not know that we
will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!” (1 Cor.
6:2–3); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod not force the President of the Synod as
its servant to judge the qualifications of potential vice-presidents of
the Synod, but rather that the Synod be allowed to judge the qualifications of its servants directly through the vote of the delegates to
its convention or through some other form of direct election by the
Synod.
Mt. Hood Circuit
Northwest District
8-63

To Elect Officers by Direct Vote of Congregations
Rationale
Since the LCMS is a membership organization, it is important that
all members participate in the major elections of the Synod.
Resolved, That the President, First Vice-President, and all members of the Board of Directors be elected by laymen and associate
members of self-sustaining congregations. Each congregation would
be given one vote for its pastor and one vote for its voters’ assembly
or equivalent. Congregations having over a thousand communicants would be allowed one extra vote from its voters’ assembly.
Commissioned members from each district would collectively elect

2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 242

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