LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 269

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STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 269

Resolved, That time be scheduled in the convention to allow
candidates for President and First Vice-President to address the del-
egates prior to the election; and be it further

Resolved, That the elections take place on the third full day of
the convention.

St. Paul, Weston, FL; Immanuel, Riverside, CA

7-81

To Allow Convention Presentations
by Candidates for President

Rationale

No decision made by delegates to the synodical convention is
more important than the election of synodical President. In the past,
the election for President has been the first item of official busi-
ness. Because the election has been scheduled first, many delegates
have never had the opportunity to hear from the candidates about
their vision for the Synod. In fact, because the delegates have not
had opportunity to hear from the candidates firsthand, many have
made decisions based on videotapes sent to them by unofficial
groups within the LCMS. This has provided an unfair advantage to
candidates for President who enjoy the endorsement of certain self-
interest groups within the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention take up as its first item of busi-
ness the introduction of the five leading candidates for President.
Each candidate should be given 20 minutes to speak to the assem-
bly. At the end of these presentations, the election for synodical
President should take place.

Abiding Savior
Lake Forest, CA

7-82

To Encourage and Commend District Presidents

WHEREAS, The Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod has established the position of District President to guide
and direct the churches of each of our Districts; and

WHEREAS, These positions are held by faithful and good men
willing to serve the Savior in this capacity; and

WHEREAS, St. Paul implores us to speak the truth in love (Eph.
4:15), and that we support one another and build one another up;
and

WHEREAS, We all may at times give harsh and unloving criti-
cism to these servants of Christ; therefore be it

Resolved, That we as congregations and individuals continue to
encourage our District Presidents by lifting them up in prayer; and
be it further

Resolved, That the New England District petition the next con-
vention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod that a commen-
dation of all District Presidents be made at that convention with
thanksgiving to God.

New England District

7-83

To Thank and Encourage District Presidents

WrereEas, District Presidents are servants in Christ to the con-
gregations of their Districts; and

WHEREAS, District Presidents often face thankless tasks in the
areas of Christian admonition and counsel; and

WHEREAS, District Presidents have recently received much
unchristian criticism and have been blamed wrongly for problems
in the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank the District Presidents for their ser-
vice; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage the congregations of the Districts
to pray for their Presidents and show their Presidents appropriate
honor and respect as due their office; and be it finally

Resolved, That we encourage our District Presidents to continue
being a voice of faith to our Districts.

Grace
Queens Village, NY

7-84

To Assure Due Process for District Presidents

WHEREAS, The current Bylaw 2.27 g does not assure due
process for a District President suspended or removed from mem-
bership in the Synod by the synodical President; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod be directed
to assure due process; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of such action be reported to the
Synod through an official announcement within six months of the
closing of this convention.

Faith
Rochester, NY

7-85

To Add Bylaws re Review
and Recall of District Presidents

Wuereas, The office of District President is a human institu-
tion, created by the congregations of the Synod through the Synod;
and

Wrereas, The office of District President and the Council of
Presidents have taken unto themselves many powers and duties that
have not been directly assigned to them by the Synod in conven-
tion; and

WHEREAS, The office of District President has a tremendous in-
fluence over the lives of pastors who serve in the divinely insti-
tuted office of the ministry and in congregations; and

WHEREAS, This power and influence, along with the lifestyle
that accompanies the office of District President, may have a cor-
rupting influence on the men who serve in this position, and

WHEREAS, The Bylaws presently have no provision whereby a
man may be removed from the office of District President for neg-
ligence, abuse of power, maleficence, administrative corruption,
incompetence, or the inability to perform the duties of his office
without also seeking his removal from the clergy roster of the
Synod; and

WuerEAS, The office of District President is a human institu-
tion and as such may not require the same level of misconduct and
evidence as would be true to remove a man from the divinely insti-
tuted pastoral office (as set forth in Holy Scripture and Art. XIII of
the LCMS Constitution); and

WHEREAS, The misconduct of a District President may rise to
the level of removal from the office of District President, but not to
the level of removal from the clergy roster; and

WuerEAS, The District President, while rightly possessing the
authority of ecclesiastical supervision over the doctrine and life of
the pastors and church workers in his jurisdiction, is still to be a
humble servant of the congregations of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, There is a great temptation, to which District Presi-
dents have fallen, to lord their authority over those who may ques-
tion their performance in office (Matt. 20:25-27); and

WuereAsS, The District President has broad powers of restric-
tion, investigation, and suspension and can use the same against
those who might take issue with his administration; and

WHEREAS, District Presidents are generally elected to their of-
fice as the first item of business at District conventions; and

WHEREAS, The Districts and the Synod have provided no venue
or system wherein a proper and fair review, evaluation, or discus-

2001 Convention Workbook