LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 111

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 111

ommendation to the Synod in this report. In a letter to the President of the Synod it has suggested that this subject could be an important one
for his attention.

District-Level Provision of Services
District Board and Staff Structure

District structure and related matters have been an object of focused attention within the Synod for about a decade. In 1992 the Synod
in convention called for a Task Force on Configuration of Districts and Regionalization of Staff, commonly known as the [Res.] “8-09 Task
Force.” This Task Force, which preceded the current TF, was charged with proposing “‘a strategic plan with respect to the configuration of
Districts, the regionalization of national and District staffs, and the development of new categories or positions for staffing.” In addition,
the 1992 convention established a board and a conference in the area of Congregational Services, which closely interfaces with Districts and
their service work. This board and conference became effective in 1995.

In its 1995 report (1995 Convention Workbook, 17-22), the 8-09 Task Force declined to propose plans for mandating action with respect
to District configuration, staff regionalization, or new ideas for staffing. Rather, it said each District could choose to organize in the most
appropriate manner to serve congregations. It further recommended that “Districts take action to adopt their own structural changes or
approach the Mission and Ministry Council or the Synod’s Board of Directors prior to the 1998 synodical convention for action” (1995
Workbook, 22). Hence, at their 1997 conventions a number of Districts entertained proposals for structural change. It was necessary for
these proposed structural changes to be approved by the Commission on Constitutional Matters before they were adopted. The Commis-
sion concluded that there was little room for Districts to take the sort of actions suggested by the 8-09 Task Force, for synodical Bylaws re-
quire Districts to have boards and staff that parallel elements of the national synodical structure. Consequently, most structure change
proposals were either rejected or placed on hold, although some were instituted by Districts on what was designated as a “trial” basis. In
other cases, Districts maintained the form of boards parallel to those of the national Synod, but actually had staff members carrying out
functions supposedly assigned to the boards.

It is time to stop requiring District boards and staffs to parallel national-level structure. To that end, a number of Bylaw changes relat-

ing to the structure of Districts will be required.

8-29

To End Parallel Structure of District and Synod Boards and Staff

Resolved, That the synodical Bylaws be amended as proposed:

CURRENT

1.07 Relationships: Conventions, Officers, Boards,
Commissions, Staff

d. Each board and commission that serves the Synod in a spe-
cific area of program or ministry in accordance with the Synod’s
Constitution and applicable Bylaws adopts programs in its assigned
area of responsibility; administers the programs and resources as
provided or authorized by the Constitution and applicable Bylaws,
or as assigned by the respective convention or board; and proposes
modifications thereto. It also provides program policies, as well as
directions, for its staff and shall establish, together with staff, eval-
uation criteria for its programs. It shall report its activities to the
respective convention, president, and board. National boards and
commissions obtain counsel from District boards in developing
programs, and District boards maintain communication with and
provide for utilization of applicable programs of their national
counterparts, as well as design programs to meet their own unique
needs.

e. Each staff develops procedures, recommends and reviews
programs and ministries, manages programs, and recommends pol-
icy and program modifications. It implements decisions of its re-
spective board in accordance with approved policy. It is responsi-
ble to the Synod through its respective board or commission, which
shall exercise supervision in accordance with the Constitution and
Bylaws, resolutions of the respective convention, and the decisions
of the respective board or commission. Staff represents the board or
commission and is ordinarily the liaison between the board or com-
mission and the field. Each executive officer shall report on staff
activities and recommendations to his board or commission and,
as requested, to the president of the District or of the Synod. Staff
ordinarily serves as the liaison between the national and District
program boards. Staffs consult with one another in developing pro-
gram proposals to present to their respective boards.

4.11 Relationships: Conventions, Officers, Board of Directors,
Boards and Commissions, Staff

a. The delegate convention of the District is a legislative as-
sembly which, in accordance with the Bylaws and objectives of the
Synod, establishes and evaluates policies and provides direction on
behalf of and in service to member congregations of the Synod in

PROPOSED

1.07 Relationships: Conventions, Officers, Boards,
Commissions, Staff

d. Each board and commission or other agency that serves the
Synod or a District in a specific area of program or ministry in ac-
cordance with the Synod’s Constitution and applicable Bylaws
adopts programs in its assigned area of responsibility; administers
the programs and resources as provided or authorized by the Con-
stitution and applicable Bylaws, or as assigned by the respective
convention or agency; and proposes modifications thereto. It also
provides program policies, as well as directions, for its staff and
shall establish, together with staff, evaluation criteria for its pro-
grams. It shall report its activities to the respective convention,
president, and responsible agency. National agencies obtain coun-
sel from Districts in developing programs, and Districts maintain
communication with and provide for utilization of national pro-
grams, as well as design programs to meet their own unique needs.

e. Each staff develops procedures, recommends and reviews
programs and ministries, manages programs, and recommends pol-
icy and program modifications. It implements decisions in accor-
dance with approved policy. It is responsible to the Synod at the
national or District level in accordance with the Constitution and
Bylaws of the national Synod or the District, resolutions of the re-
spective convention, and the policies of a District or any agency to
which it is responsible. Each executive officer shall report on staff
activities and recommendations to the national Synod, District, or
agency to which that officer is responsible and, as requested, to the
president of the District or of the Synod. Staff ordinarily serves as
the liaison between the national and District Synod levels and staffs
consult with one another in developing program proposals for the
Synod and its Districts.

4.11 Relationships: Conventions, Officers, Boards
of Directors, Agencies, and Staff

a. Relationships on the District level are those as defined in By-
laws 1.07 and 3.951.

2001 Convention Workbook