LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 238

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238 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION

tional convention action according to the amendment process es-
tablished by the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Structure of the Synod be
instructed to provide guidelines to assist all entities of the Synod
in developing and maintaining policy manuals, guidelines that will
also uniformly and consistently incorporate the above expectations
regarding policy and procedure material from the Handbook of the
Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That updated copies of policy manuals shall be pro-
vided to the Office of the Secretary of the Synod on an annual
basis.

Commission on Structure

7-05

To Change Bylaw re Relationship
of Congregations to Synod

Rationale

Bylaw 1.09 b states regarding doctrinal resolutions that “Such
resolutions are to be honored and upheld until such time as the
Synod amends or repeals them.” Accordingly. Bylaw 2.39 b states,
“The Synod expects every member congregation to respect its res-
olutions and to consider them of binding force if they are in accor-
dance with the Word of God.”

At the same time, the Synod recognizes the congregation’s right
of self-government, the Synod being “but an advisory body” with-
out the right to impose anything upon the congregation that “is not
in accordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be inexpe-
dient as far as the condition of the congregation is concerned.” Ac-
cordingly. Bylaw 2.39 b adds, “... if (the resolutions) appear ap-
plicable as far as the condition of the congregation is concerned.”

The Commission on Structure advocates the following change
in wording of proposed Bylaw 1.4.2 (present Bylaw 2.39 b) to
more clearly emphasize the voluntary agreement of members of the
Synod to respect synodical resolutions while also recognizing the
right of congregations to take into consideration local conditions
as they inake application of those resolutions.

Resolved, That present Bylaw 2.39 b be amended as follows:

PRESENF/PROPOSED

b: Fhe-Syned-expeets Every member congregation of the Synod
agrees to respect its resolutions and to consider them of binding
force if they are in accordance with the Word of God ane they

corned. The Synod, being an n advisory ody t ) congregations, rec-

ognizes the right of ke a congregation te-bethe+dge-oHthe-ap-

plreabitity 10 make application of te synodical resolutions by
taking into consideration te its local condition. However, in exer-

cising such judgment, a congregation must not act arbitrarily, but in
accordance with the principles of Christian love and charity.

and be it further
Resolved, That proposed Bylaw 1.4.2 therefore read as follows:

[.4.2 Every member congregation of the Synod agrees to re-
spect its resolutions and to consider them of binding force if they
are in accordance with the Word of God. The Synod. being an ad-
visory body to congregations, recognizes the right of a congrega-
tion to make application of synodical resolutions by taking into
consideration its local condition. However, in exercising such
judgment, a congregation must not act arbitrarily, but in accordance
with the principles of Christian love and charity.

Commission on Structure

2001 Convention Workbook

7-06

To Separate Calling and Service of Clergy
from Other Church Workers

Rationale

Present Bylaw 2.45 b requires that congregations of the Synod,
“in conformity with Art. VI. 3, of the Constitution of the Synod,
shall call and be served only by ordained or commissioned minis-
ters who have ... become members of the Synod.” Teachers who
are not on the roster of the Synod often serve in Christian day
schools. Certified Church Workers—Lay, who also are not on the
roster of the Synod. serve congregations in various capacities. The
Commission advocates that this issue be resolved by amending pres-
ent Bylaw 2.45 b to create separate Bylaws for clergy and for other
church workers.

Resolved, That present Bylaw 2.45 b be amended as follows:

PRESENF/PROPOSED

%: Congregations +hte# that are members of the Synod;+-een-
formtity with “Artiele 43 of the-Constititter-ofthe-Syned: shall
call and be served only by ordained er-eermnrsstened ministers
who have been admitted to these-+respeetive their ministries in ac-
cordance with the rules and regulations set forth in this-Hendbook
these Bylaws and have thercby become members of the Synod.

and be it further
Resolved, That proposed Bylaw 2.4.2 therefore read as follows:

2.4.2 Congregations that are members of the Synod shall call
and be served only by ordained ministers who have been admitted
to their ministries in accordance with the rules and regulations set
forth in these Bylaws and have thereby become members of the
Synod.
and be it further

Resolved, That a new Bylaw 2.4.3 addressing service by com-
missioned ministers be added as follows:

2.4.3 Congregations that are members of the Synod shall call
only commissioned ministers who have been admitied to their min-
istrics in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth in these
Bylaws and have thereby become members of the Synod.

and be it finally

Resolved, That those church workers not cligible for a call be
encouraged to work toward commissioned minister status and that
their congregations and schools support them in this endeavor.

Commission on Structure

7-07

To Clarify Authority for Amendment
of Worker Benefit Plans

Rationale

Because of rapid changes in conditions brought about by legal
and cconomice factors in the arcas of health care and retirement ben-
efits, frequent adjustments by the Board of Managers of Worker
Benefit Plans to accommodate these changes and to achieve in-
creased benefits are often necessary. In order to allow such changes
to be made on a timely basis, the Commission is recommending
that present Bylaw 3.703 b be amended to allow the Board of Man-
agers of Worker Benefit Plans to make changes on a timcly basis
without prior Board of Directors approval. so long as limits are es-
tablished within which such changes may be made and so long as
these changes are reported to the Board of Directors on a timely
basis.

Resolved, That current Bylaw 3.703 b be amended as follows: