LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 121

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 121

common parlance these terms are regarded as interchangeable, and indeed since the Synod’s 1967 convention there has been an effort for
delegate election to be done as much as possible by the set of congregations that constitutes a visitation Circuit (see 1967 Ov. 5-09). Still,
the Bylaw indicates that an electoral Circuit may consist of several adjacent visitation Circuits. In other words, electoral Circuits are not nec-
essarily identical with visitation Circuits under our current Bylaws.

The TF recommends making a still more clear-cut distinction between electoral Circuits (hereafter referred to as “electoral regions”) and
visitation Circuits. An analysis of the Synod’s 625 visitation Circuits reveals a sizable number of exceptions to present Circuit guidelines.
The TF has also noted substantial variations between individual Circuits in the number of communicant members of their congregations.
These variations may not be so significant in relation to visitation Circuit functions, but they create material inequities with regard to vot-
ing representation at synodical conventions.

Population movement into metropolitan centers has decisively altered the demographics of our church body. An increasing number of
people hold membership in the Synod’s larger congregations. By some estimates, 20 percent of the Synod’s congregations (larger churches)
have as many communicant members as the rest of its congregations have.

The TF concludes that the criterion for the size of electoral regions to choose voting delegates for synodical conventions should continue
to be both the number of congregations and the number of communicant members. However, inasmuch as the existing parameters have been
in place for over 30 years, the TF thinks it is time to revisit this matter and revise limits for an electoral region. It recommends setting the
number of congregations at 5 to 21 and fixing the range of the communicant membership of those churches at 2,500 to 7,500. Thereby, the
TF believes, fairness will be preserved, improved representation will result, and the balance between clergy and lay delegates will be re-
tained, all with roughly the same number of voting delegates at synodical conventions.

The TF suggests that the configuration of electoral regions should be determined by each District in convention. Electoral regions
could be composed of more than one visitation Circuit. (See the proposed revision of Bylaw 5.01 in the above section on “Visitation Cir-
cuits.” The TF is convinced that it would be inappropriate to make changes in visitation Circuits without also adjusting electoral regions.
Accordingly, the TF urges that its proposed changes regarding the definition of a visitation Circuit [in the section above] and electoral re-
gions [below] be read together and be acted upon jointly.)

In its preliminary report the TF recommended that the election of voting delegates to the synodical convention should take place in a
caucus of the electoral region held in conjunction with the triennial District convention. The TF thought such a procedure would have re-
sulted in improved representation for the congregations of the electoral region, especially by providing the opportunity for more laypersons
to participate in the election process. Generally, only a few laypersons attend Circuit Forums under present procedures, effectively leaving
election of voting delegates to be done primarily by the clergy.

Responses to the TF pointed out that a caucus at the District convention can be too many months in advance of the synodical conven-
tion and that it could be difficult for congregations in multi-point parishes to be represented in such settings. Therefore the TF has recon-
sidered the recommendation that the caucus should occur at the District convention and concluded that it is not essential. Rather than in-
cluding this provision as a Bylaw requirement, the TF now recommends leaving the time and place of the election of synodical convention
voting delegates to the discretion of the Districts. It simply urges that the most appropriate forum be selected in which the greatest lay par-
ticipation can occur.

By maintaining the balance between clergy and lay voting delegates, the TF has continued to recognize the priesthood of all believers
and the Office of the Ministry. Moreover, the proposed amendments in the definition of an electoral region do not change the essential
method for the election of voting delegates, which is based on both number of congregations and number of communicant members of those
congregations as adopted by the Synod in 1967. The TF is not suggesting alteration in fundamental synodical polity.

Finally, the TF recommends that if a Commission on Structure is established, it should be assigned the following question: should
those members of the Synod currently eligible to serve only as advisory delegates (e.g., commissioned ministers) be allowed to cast either
the clergy or Jay vote at District or synodical conventions? The TF has not thoroughly studied this matter and takes no position on it, but
suggests that it be examined.

8-81

To Change Bylaws re Election of Delegates to Synod Conventions
Resolved, That the synodical Bylaws be amended as proposed:

CURRENT
3.03 Voting Delegates

Voting delegates shall consist of one pastor and one Jayman
from each electoral Circuit. An electoral] Circuit shall consist of one
or two adjacent visitation Circuits, as shall be determined by each
District, on the basis of the following requirements: each pair of del-
egates shall represent trom 7 to 20 member congregations, involv-
ing an aggregate communicant membership ranging from 1,500 to
10,000. Exceptions to these requirements and limitations can be
made only by the President of the Synod upon request of a District
Board of Directors.

3.05 Election of Delegates

a. Each electoral Circuit shall meet at the call of the Coun-
selor(s) to elect its delegates, not later than nine months prior to
the opening day of the convention. The election shall be by written
ballot. All pastors who are not advisory members under Article V,

PROPOSED
3.03 Voting Delegates

Voting delegates shall consist of one pastor and one layperson
from each electoral region. An electoral region shall consist of one
or more adjacent visitation Circuits as shal] be determined by the
District President in consultation with the District Board of Direc-
tors at least three months prior to the triennial District convention,
on the basis of the following requirements: each pair of delegates
shail represent from 5 to 21 member congregations, involving an
aggregate communicant membership ranging trom 2,500 to 7,500.
Exceptions to these requirements and limitations can be made only
by the President of the Synod upon request of a District Board of
Directors. The final assignment of congregations to specific elec-
toral regions shall be subsequently reported to the District conven-
tion for approval.

3.05 Election of Delegates

a. Each electoral region shall hold its caucus during the year of
the triennial District convention at the call of the District Secretary
to elect its delegates, not later than nine months prior to the open-
ing day of the synodical convention. The District President shall

2001 Convention Workbook