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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 105

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

SYNODICAL REPORTS 105

Resolved, That the Synod in convention adopt Bylaw provisions providing for ecclesiastical visitations of the Districts of the Synod at least
once every three years by the President or the First Vice-President of the Synod in order to promote the relationship between the Districts and the
national Synod, to maintain communications, and to foster understandings; and be it further

Resolved, That the “manual” for congregation visitations be officially adopted by consensus of the synodical President and the other mem-
bers of the Council of Presidents; and be it finally

Resolved, That such action and the “manual” for visitation be disseminated throughout the Synod through official synodical communications
media and by having each District President assume the responsibility to communicate these matters to every congregation in his District.

The TF wishes strongly to affirm the importance of Art. XII 7 of our Synod’s Constitution. It believes that one of the most important
responsibilities of a District President’s ministry is ecclesiastical supervision and evangelical encouragement.

In conjunction with this responsibility, the TF also reviewed the role of the District President’s constitutionally assigned assistants, the
Circuit Counselors. As Districts grew in the number of congregations, the responsibility for visitation was delegated in the Bylaws to the
Circuit Counselor because it became almost impossible for a District President to make all the visits. Now, in our day, because of the
press of parish duties, it is increasingly difficult for Circuit Counselors to complete the triennial visits assigned in the Bylaws. This is the
reality of the matter.

The TF believes that the matter of visitation should be clearly delineated in the Bylaws, as it is in the Constitution, as primarily the task
of District Presidents, the vast majority of whom are serving full-time. The District Presidents can of course call upon Circuit Counselors
and District Vice-Presidents to assist them in such visitation. The TF is of the opinion that this primary responsibility of a District Presi-
dent has not received proper emphasis in recent years.

While in most cases the District President will not be able to make a triennial visit to each congregation in his District, the responsibility
for the visitation should rest upon him as an official of the Synod. In smaller Districts, the District President will normally be able to ful-
fill this responsibility himself. In larger Districts, he will probably have to seek the assistance of Circuit Counselors and Vice-Presidents to
perform this ministry.

The TF believes that the recommended Bylaw provisions set forth below will provide an encouragement for District Presidents and Cir-
cuit Counselors in the ministry of visitation that the Synod has always considered vital to its scriptural and confessional unity.

8-19

To Clearly Delineate Ministry of Visitation in Bylaws
Resolved, That the synodical Bylaws be amended as proposed:

1. District President

CURRENT PROPOSED
4.71 Role of District President 4.71 Role of District President
[Note: Much of this material derives from current Bylaws 5.13, d. The District President shall, in accordance with the Consti-
5.15, 5.19, and 5.21 on the responsibilities and relationships of Cir- tution of the Synod, in his ministry of ecclesiastical supervision
cuit Counselors.] visit the congregations of the District.

1. He shall arrange in advance for an official visit to each con-
gregation of his District at least once every three years and other-
wise as he deems it necessary. He may call upon the Circuit Coun-
selors and Vice-Presidents to assist him with the triennial visitation
of congregations.

2. In his official visits he shall seek to bring about to the great-
est possible degree the achievement of the Synod’s objectives as
expressed in Art. ITI of its Constitution.

3. He shall conduct his official visits in an evangelical manner
and not resort to legalistic measures.

4. He shall come to the pastor and the congregation as a broth-
erly advisor, reminding them of the joy of serving in the mission
and ministry of the church.

5. In his visits he shall include fraternal discussion in regard to
worship and Communion attendance; participation by the congre-
gation in missions and the work of the church at large; the congre-
gation’s evangelism and education endeavors; its cultivation of
sound stewardship principles; all aspects of compensation for pro-
fessional church workers; the need for maintenance of purity of
doctrine; the strengthening of the bond of Christian fellowship; and
the provision of resources, opportunities, and assistance so God’s
people can grow in their faith, hope, and love.

6. The jurisdiction of the District President shall include non-
member congregations whose pastors are members of the Synod.
However, for the purpose of official visits in such a congregation
the consent of the congregation shall first be secured. The District
President may appoint the Circuit Counselor in whose Circuit such
a congregation is located to be his official representative.

2001 Convention Workbook