LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 154

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154 - RESOLUTIONS

To Change Bylaw 5.11 re Nomination
“and Elections of Circuit Counselors

RESOLUTION 7-11
Overtures 7-01, 7-03-04 (CW, pp. 229-30)
- Rationale: , -

Circuit congregations value the privilege and opportu-

nity to be as involved as possible in the selection process of
their Circuit Counselor; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 5.11 a be changed to read as fol-
lows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

a. Every voting congregation of each Circuit shall be
entitled to nominate as e candidates for the office of Cir-
cuit Counselor either one, or two individual pastors of
the member congregations of the Circuit or from among
the emeriti who hold membership in one of the member
congregations of that Circuit, The nominations shall be
made at least four months prior to the elections and
shall be submitted to the Nominating Committee
through the Secretary of the District, The pastor who
receives a majority of votes cast on the nominating ballot
shall be the nominee. If no candidate has received a ma-
jority, the District Secretary shall forward to each con-
gregation in that Circuit an additional ballot with the
names of the two men, or more in case of a tie, receiving

' the highest number of votes in the initial balloting. The
congregations shall then mark their ballot with one
name and return it to the District Secretary by the date
specified by him. The pastor who receives the majority
of votes cast shall be the nominee. If no pastor has re-
ceived a majority in the voting, a Circuit caucus shall
be held during an early session of the convention at a
specified time on the agenda. Balloting shall take place
by the pastors and lay delegates of the Circuit until one
pastor receives the majority of votes, Should the candi-
date(s) no longer be available for this office, the Circuit
caucus shall have the right to act on behalf of the con-
gregations to nominate a replacement. The convention
shall have the right to alter the slate by amendment.
The convention shall then ratify the slate of Circuit
Counselors, which ratification shall constitute election.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Change Bylaw 5.13 re Responsibilities
of Circuit Counselors in Relation
to Member Congregations

RESOLUTION 7-12A
Overture 7-02 (CW, p. 229)

WHEREAS, Circuit Counselors and congregations can
benefit from knowing specific ways in which the Circuit
Counselor is expected to carry out his charge to assist the
District President “in doctrinal and spiritual supervision”
(Bylaw 5.13 a); and

WHEREAS, Congregations and pastors continue to be
tempted by false doctrines and sinful practices which are
suggested by the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh;
therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 5.13 b be changed to read as fol-
lows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

b. He shall serve in a servant role and seek to re-
mind and encourage members of the Circuit of their re-
sponsibilities as God’s people and the privilege they

have in being about His mission. He shall also inquire
whether the congregations are zealously guarding the
purity of doctrine and also inquire what means are
being used to guard against the evil influence of sects
and organizations which endanger the spiritual life of
the congregation. i: He should keep in mind
the glory and responsibility of the universal priesthood

of all believers as it applies to the congregations. He
shall remind them that they are “a chosen generation, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people to
show forth the praises of Him who has called them out
of darkness into His marvelous light.” He shall meet
with the entire congregation, if possible, rather than
with the voting members only.

Action: Declined (12).

To Encourage Congregations, Circuits
and Districts to Study and Implement
within Their District Appropriate
Structural Changes in Order to More
Effectively Serve Congregations

RESOLUTION 7-13

Report R1-8-07 (CW, pp. 17-22); Overtures 2-14, 7-
26-27, 7-29 (CW, pp. 140, 234-35) ,

WHEREAS, The 1992 synodical convention in Res. 8-09
asked the Mission and Ministry Council to appoint a task
force to study and evaluate, in consultation with the Dis-'
tricts, the following issues:

1. The configuration of Districts,

2. The regionalization of District staffs,

3. The regionalization of national staff, and

4. The development of new categories or positions for
staffing based on the changing needs of our congregations;
and

WHEREAS, The Res. 8-09 Task Force was asked to com-
plete the initial study and propose a strategic plan for re-
view by the Mission and Ministry Council, which plan, if
accepted by the Mission and Ministry Council, was to be
brought to the 1995 synodical convention for approval and
recommendation to congregations, Circuits, and Districts:
for study during the next triennium and was to be followed
by a final strategic plan from the Res. 8-09 Task Force for
action by the Mission and Ministry Council and the 1998
synodical convention; and

WHEREAS, The Res. 8-09 Task Force has completed its
initial study and presented its findings to the Mission and
Ministry Council but has determined, as a result of its
study, that it will decline at this time to propose any one
Strategic plan for adoption by the synodical convention for
the reasons stated in the report of the Res. 8-09 Task Force;
therefore be it .

Resolved, That congregations, Circuits, and especially
Districts of the Synod, through the Board of Directors, be
encouraged to study the report and recommendations of the
Res. 8-09 Task Force in the areas of structuring to best pro-
vide mission and ministry services to and on behalf of con-
gregations and in the areas of business services and eccle-
sial services, and to study the report and recommendations
of the Conference of Congregational Services regarding the
functions and staffing of national and District offices in the
areas of adult, child, evangelism, family, leadership,