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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 523

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

ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
pastoral care to all of their rostered workers, if districts consisted of
a more manageable number of congregations; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Montana District memorialize the 2019
Synod convention to direct the President of the Synod to appoint a
task force to develop a plan to resize the districts of the Synod, such
that no district would consist of more than 100 congregations, and
propose it to the next Synod convention.
Montana District
Ov. 10-05

To Reorganize The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod into Smaller Districts
WHEREAS, The Wyoming District of the Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS) consists of 60 congregations and has
observed great success in having visitations conducted by the
district president to every congregation each triennium; and
WHEREAS, Visitation is a priority in the LCMS, and has been
made so even more by the work of Floor Committee #7—Structure
and Ecclesiastical Matters of the 2013 Synod convention in
Resolutions 7-01A, 7-02A, and 7-03A; and
WHEREAS, 2010 Res. 8-07 and the 2013 Res. 7-04A both
expressed interest in considering reorganization of districts; and
WHEREAS, A smaller district containing fewer congregations is
preferable to make a visitation by the district president possible each
triennium; therefore be it
Resolved, That the High Plains Circuit of the Wyoming District
memorialize the 2019 Synod convention to begin the process
leading to the formation of smaller districts consisting of 35–70
congregations by creating a Redistricting Task Force; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Redistricting Task Force be composed of the
President of the Synod, First Vice-President, the Secretary of the
Synod, one district president from a district containing over 200
congregations, one district president from a district containing in
between 100–199 congregations, one district president from a nongeographic district and two district presidents from districts
containing fewer than 100 congregations, a member of the Synod
Board of Directors, and up to three others chosen by the members
of the task force for their expertise in organizational restructuring,
financial matters, or legal matters; and be it further
Resolved, That district presidents in this new arrangement be
thus required to actively serve as called pastors in a congregation;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Board of Directors in consultation with the
Council of Presidents be given the task of reorganizing the Council
of Presidents tasks and duties to accommodate having a greater
number of district presidents and make suggestions for changes to
bylaws to the 2022 Synod convention; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Redistricting Task Force propose the
boundaries and guidelines for the re-districting of the LCMS to the
2022 Synod convention.
High Plains Circuit
Wyoming District

523

Ov. 10-06

To Permit Access by Rostered Workers and
Formerly Rostered Workers to Own Personnel
Records
WHEREAS, The districts of the Synod maintain personnel records
on rostered workers; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of record keeping is to benefit the church
as a whole and to ensure that all things are done decently and in
order; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate that rostered workers and formerly
rostered workers be able to review their personnel records to ensure
that they are accurate or that they are up to date; therefore be it
Resolved, That all currently or formerly rostered workers of the
Synod shall have the right from time to time and upon reasonable
advance notice to inspect their personnel records maintained by the
district within which they currently have or last had a call or
wherever such records are kept and maintained; and be it further
Resolved, That if any currently or formerly rostered worker
disputes information therein contained and is unable to resolve such
dispute by fraternal consultation within 60 days after request to the
district maintaining the records, then as his or her sole remedy he or
she may institute a dispute resolution complaint against the district
president of such district with respect thereto; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook modify relevant
bylaws accordingly.
Redeemer
Fort Wayne, IN
Ov. 10-07

To Affirm the Advisory Role of District Presidents
in Their Service of Calling Congregations of the
LCMS
WHEREAS, The district presidents of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS) and their staff provide a valuable service
in guiding and assisting congregations in the process of calling a
new pastor, and an important part of that process is providing
congregations with information on potential pastoral candidates at
their request; and
WHEREAS, According to LCMS polity, district presidents and
their staff serve the congregations of their district in an advisory
capacity; and
WHEREAS, Many congregations are not aware of their rights and
privileges with regard to the sacred task of calling a pastor; therefore
be it
Resolved, That all congregations of the LCMS be reminded that
district presidents and their staff serve in an advisory role only when
it comes to the calling of pastors; and be it further
Resolved, That calling congregations of the LCMS, at the start
of their call process, be reminded by their district presidents of their
rights and privileges to call any rostered pastor in the LCMS,
excluding those who have limited calls or are under discipline.
Circuit 15
Southeastern District

2019 Convention Workbook