LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 265

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STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 265

7-81

To Amend System for Synodical Delegate
Representation

Rationale

In their report to the synodical President the Blue Ribbon Com-
mittee states that “these are things which are better done collec-
tively than by congregations acting alone, subject always to the
Scriptures and to the Confessions. The Christian freedom and the
integrity of our congregations are best respected and maintained
when their will as expressed when the Synod meets in convention
is carried out” (p. 2, lines 26-30). The underlying principle is that
the will of the people should be expressed when the Synod meets in
convention. We affirm that principle and believe that it is funda-
mental to our effective and harmonious functioning.

However, as demographics have changed, resulting in new pat-
terns of where our constituency holds membership, it is apparent
that an increasing number of our people hold membership in the
largest congregations of our Synod. Some estimates put it as high
as 20 percent of our congregations contain 50 percent of our mem-
bers, while the remaining 80 percent of our congregations have the
remaining 50 percent of our members. With our system of choosing
one pastoral and one lay delegate from each electoral Circuit, re-
gardless of the number of communicants in that Circuit, a serious
problem of unequal representation seems to be the result. In the
secular political realm the principle of one man/one vote was insti-
tuted to correct a similar problem. We believe the time has come
for us to openly address the issue in our life together as brothers
and sisters in Christ. Once again we underscore the observation of
the Blue Ribbon Committee that “the entire structure should be
marked by openness and responsiveness to the will of the mem-
bers” (Blue Ribbon Committee Report, p. 2, lines 36-37).

Resolved, That to achieve a more equal and better representa-
tion of the will of our members, we ask the President of the Synod
in consultation and cooperation with the Council of Presidents to
appoint a special committee to carefully study the system of se-
lecting voting delegates to the synodical convention. We ask that
the committee be empowered to bring a report and recommenda-
tions to the next convention of the Synod, with the intent of pro-
viding a system, that will more accurately reflect the will of all of
the people of our congregations.

Board of Directors, Pacific Southwest District; Board of
Directors, Atlantic District

7-82

To Consider Changes to Bylaw 3.03
in Regard to Electoral Circuits

WHEREAS, Synodical Bylaw 3.03 defines the parameters and
number of member organizations (congregations) and communi-
cant members that comprise an electoral Circuit; and

WHEREAS, Population trends have altered the demographics of
the Synod with many rural congregations diminishing in size and
some urban and suburban congregations growing with a few even
classified as “mega’’ churches; and

WHEREAS, The balance of congregations and memberships
thought equitable when Bylaw 3.03 was adopted may not be
achieved because of the shift in demographics; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Minnesota South District in convention
memorialize the 1998 synodical convention to direct the synodical
President to appoint a committee to study the matter and present
recommendations for considered changes to Bylaw 3.03 at the
2001 synodical convention.

Minnesota South District

7-83

To Memorialize Synod
to Make Circuit Convocations Voluntary

WHEREAS, Circuit Convocations have met with success in some
locations and have not been adequately attended or even held in
other locations; and

WHEREAS, Many of the functions of Circuit Convocations are
implemented already at the congregational level by the local con-
gregation members; and

WHEREAS, Many of the minor festivals of the church year and
particular Sundays set aside by District and Synod can provide the
desired setting in which congregational members may know of and
celebrate the ministry pursued by each congregation, and may re-
view and discuss the work of the Circuit Forums, and may imple-
ment information received on the various phases of the work pur-
sued through District and Synod as they already emphasize
inspiration, education, and motivation; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Iowa District East in convention memorial-
ize Synod to change the word shall in 5.51 of the 1995 Handbook
to may as concerns the holding of Circuit Convocations.

Iowa District East

7-84

To Make Circuit Forums Optional

WHEREAS, Synodical Bylaw 5.31 requires each Circuit to hold a
forum at least twice a year; and

WHEREAS, Many Circuits ignore this requirement because they
apparently judge semiannual forums unnecessary; and

WHEREAS, The failure to hold semiannual forums does not ap-
pear to adversely affect these Circuits; and

WHEREAS, Insisting on a practice judged unnecessary may en-
hance negative attitudes toward Districts; and

WHEREAS, Consciously ignoring some specific requirements
may well encourage apathy in other areas; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Southern Illinois District in convention
memorialize the next synodical convention to drop the current final
sentence of synodical Bylaw 5.31, which reads, “The Circuit
Forum will meet at least twice a year,” and replace it with a new
concluding sentence. This new concluding sentence of Bylaw 5.31
would then read, “The Circuit Forum is encouraged to meet at least
twice a year.”

Southern Illinois District

7-85

To Restore District Conventions

Wuereas, The 1995 Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod states that the District convention is a legislative as-
sembly to establish and evaluate policies and provide direction for
that District’s work in God’s kingdom (Bylaw 4:11); and

WHEREAS, Some Districts are attempting, without the approval
of the congregations and contrary to our synodical Handbook, to
change the nature of the convention to a conference/convocation
(e.g., PSW 6-27 to 7-1, 1997; SED 4-11 to 13, 1997); and

WHEREAS, This deprives the congregations within that District
from having a voice concerning the District’s directions, policies
and goals; and

WHEREAS, This creates a hierarchical business model governed
by a few select individuals; and

WHEREAS, Such a hierarchical structure creates the climate for
controlling congregations’ thoughts and actions; and thereby grows
increasingly irrelevant for many pastors and congregations; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its
1998 convention instruct the synodical President to inform all Dis-