LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 380

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

380

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

Ov. 9-17

To Eliminate Distinction between Electoral and
Visitation Circuits and Communicant Membership
Requirement of the Same
WHEREAS, Synod Bylaw 3.1.2 (a) states: “An electoral circuit
shall consist either of one or two adjacent visitation circuits, as shall
be determined by the district board of directors on the basis of the
following requirements: each pair of delegates shall represent from
7 to 20 member congregations, involving an aggregate confirmed
membership ranging from 1,500 to 10,000”; and
WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.1.2 (a) is the only place in the Synod
Constitution or Bylaws where communicant membership is taken
into account; and
WHEREAS, The Church is not to be measured by “communicant
membership,” for wherever the Gospel is preached in its truth and
purity and the Sacraments administered according to Christ’s
command, there is Christ present and there is the Church, even if
there are only two or three gathered together in His name (Augsburg
Confession VIII; F. Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, III:409; Matt.
18:20); and
WHEREAS, All congregations, regardless of numbers of
communicant members, share equally in the authority and power of
the Church, that is, the Office of the Keys, and are the possessors of
the priesthood and all church power, even if there are only two or
three believers in them (Church and Ministry, Church Theses IV,
VI, VII; Ministry/Office Thesis VII):
“As visible congregations that still have the Word and the
sacraments essentially according to God’s Word bear the name
“church” because of the true invisible church of sincere believers
that is found in them, so also they possess the power [authority]
that Christ has given to His whole church, on account of the true
invisible church hidden in them, even if there were only two or
three [believers]” (idem, Church Thesis VII);
and
WHEREAS, All congregations, regardless of number of
communicant members, are equally members of Synod and district,
equally bound by the Constitution and Bylaws of Synod and district,
equally obligated to fulfill the requirements of Synod membership,
equally asked to financially support the work of Synod and district,
equally called upon to uphold the confessional position of the
Synod, and equally entitled to the benefits of Synod membership,
nor are there any communicant membership requirements stated for
member congregations in Synod (Constitution Articles V–VII;
Bylaws 1.3.1, 1.3.4, 1.3.4.1, 1.3.5, 2.1.1–2, 2.2.1, 2.3.1–2, 2.4.1,
etc.); and
WHEREAS, All member congregations of Synod, regardless of
number of communicant members, are considered voting members
of Synod (Const. Art. V; Bylaw 1.2.1 [y]); and
WHEREAS, The requirement of at least 1,500 communicant
members in an electoral circuit is inconsistent with our doctrine of
the Church (see third whereas, above); and
WHEREAS, The requirement of at least 1,500 communicant
members in an electoral circuit is becoming an increasing burden in
many of our districts where, due to population and membership
trends, electoral circuits of ever-increasing and burdensome
geographic size are required, as is acknowledged in Bylaw 3.1.2.1;

2023 Convention Workbook

WHEREAS, The increasing geographic distances required to form
electoral circuits of at least 1,500 communicant members is
becoming an obstacle to efficient communication within such
circuit, especially with the expectation that electors visit the
congregations of the electoral circuit both to determine the
sentiments of the congregations (Bylaw 3.1.2.2 [a]) and to report
individually to each congregation represented at convention (Bylaw
3.1.2.2 [d]), which could require significant time and travel; and
WHEREAS, Close personal and congregational relationships are
formed within circuits that greatly promote the stated goals of
Bylaw 5.1.1 and these relationships are disrupted whenever there
are changes to the formation of the circuit; therefore be it
Resolved, That the distinction between electoral and visitation
circuits be eliminated and the Bylaws be amended to reflect this
change by eliminating the words “electoral” and “visitation” in
reference to the circuit; and be it further
Resolved, That the communicant membership requirement for
circuits be eliminated; and be it finally
Resolved, That the South Dakota District in convention submit
this resolution to the 2023 Synod convention for action.
South Dakota District
Ov. 9-18

To Allow Simpler Procedure for Circuit Elections
WHEREAS, Every electoral circuit meets to elect voting delegates
to the national convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod (LCMS); and
WHEREAS, These circuits vary widely in size and composition of
congregations; and
WHEREAS, There are circuits for whom there are five or fewer
pastors eligible and willing to serve as voting delegates to the
national convention of the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, Synod Bylaws 3.1.2.1 (d–f) mandate an unnecessarily
complicated and confusing procedure of preliminary ballots and
succeeding ballots; and
WHEREAS, In elections with few voters the possibility of tied
votes is likely; and
WHEREAS, The electoral procedures in the Bylaws make no
provision for dealing with tied votes; and
WHEREAS, Every congregation should be assured that elections
are carried out in strict accordance with the Bylaws of the LCMS;
therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.2.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.1.2.1
Elections of voting delegates shall take place in accordance
with established policy and procedure.
…
(d) Each pastor who is called and installed to a congregation of
the circuit in a non-assisting capacity and not a specific ministry
pastor shall be eligible for election.
(1) Each When there are at most five such pastors willing to
serve, they shall constitute the ballot. Otherwise, each voter
may write in the names of two such pastors on the initial ballot.
The three pastors (or more, in case of a tie vote) who receive
the highest number of votes in this preliminary ballot shall be
placed on the next ballot.
…