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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 496

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

496

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

district convention or any other district meeting for that matter, and,
as a result, valuable ministry moments are lost. This is an important
matter that should be corrected to assist in assuring the long-term
viability of these congregations.
One of the frequently voiced arguments for keeping things the way
they are has to do with the theoretical “balance” between lay and
clergy representation. Such representation is not guaranteed by
current practice. For instance, congregations with vacancies not
being served by called and installed intentional interim pastors are
still entitled to their lay representation even though they do not have
clergy representation. As the available supply of ministers of
religion—ordained continues to shrink, the number of such
congregations is destined to grow. Also, there are no procedures in
place to assure such “balance” is attained either at district or Synod
level. In fact, for Synodwide election/ratification processes, the
results are determined by percentage of votes actually cast, not on
percentage of eligible voters. In the last election for Synod
president, only 78% of eligible votes were actually cast.
Past efforts to deal with the issues involved have included lengthy
and valid theological and historical arguments, all of which have
gone to naught.
Perhaps it is time to realize that the real rationale for addressing and
correcting this inconsistency is simply that it is the “meet, right, and
salutary” thing to do.
The path to correction is simply to eliminate the dual use of the word
parish.
Therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention correct the inequity in
congregation voting rights by taking the actions described in the
following resolves; and be it further
Resolved, That Const. Art. V A be amended by the Synod in
convention as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
A. Voting Members
All organized congregations that have joined the Synod hold voting
membership. At the meetings of the districts of the Synod and for all
Synodwide elections and ratifications every congregation or parish is
entitled to two votes, one of which is to be cast by the pastor and the
other by the lay delegate. In the case of a pastor serving two or more
congregations by regular call, he shall be entitled to only one vote. At
the meetings of the Synod a number of congregations shall form a group
which shall be represented by two voting delegates, one a pastor and
one a lay delegate.

and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.2.1 (c) be amended by the Synod in
convention as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.1.2.1
Elections of voting delegates shall take place in accordance
with established policy and procedure.
…
(c) The privilege of voting shall be exercised by one pastor and
one layperson from each member congregation of the circuit,
both of whom shall have been elected in the manner prescribed
by the congregation. Multi-congregation parishes shall be
entitled to a lay vote from each member congregation Pastors
serving multiple congregations shall be entitled to only one vote.
…

and be it further

2019 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That Article 3.1.2.1 (h) which defines the delegates
and alternates to Synod convention of the circuit in the Bylaws be
amended by the Synod in convention as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.1.2.1
Elections of voting delegates shall take place in accordance
with established policy and procedure.
…
(h) All four persons elected shall come from four different
parishes congregations.
…

and be it further
Resolved, That Article 3.12.2.3 of the Bylaws be amended by the
Synod in convention as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.12.2.3
The Secretary of the Synod shall compile and maintain the
voters list for the election of the President of the Synod. This list and
any of its parts shall not be disseminated.
(a) This voters list shall include:
(1) the pastor of serving each a member congregation. or
multi-congregation parish Pastors serving multiple
congregations shall be entitled to only one vote.
(2) a lay person from the each congregation or parish
(b) The congregation shall present to the Secretary of Synod 90
days prior to the election a proper credentials form provided by
the Secretary, signed by two of the congregation’s officers. If a
congregation or parish has more than one pastor eligible to vote,
the congregation shall designate on the credentials form which
pastor will cast a vote on behalf of the congregation.
…

and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 4.8.2 (d)(1) be amended by the Synod in
convention as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
4.8.2
Official conferences for all ordained and commissioned
ministers on the respective rosters of the Synod shall meet, if
possible, in plenary sessions at least once each year.
…
(d) All ordained and commissioned ministers on the district
rosters are expected to attend meetings of their official
conference or present a valid excuse.
(1) Attendance at the official conferences shall be obligatory
for ordained and commissioned ministers serving in
congregations and parishes.
…

and be it further
Resolved, That all prior rulings and opinions of the Secretary of
the Synod and the CCM on this subject be declared superseded by
this action; and be it finally
Resolved, That we renew our pledge that all member
congregations of the Synod strengthen and encourage each other in
all aspects of our walk together in our work to fulfill the Great
Commission in our fallen world.
Board of Directors
Southeastern District