LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 289

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8. NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS

8-01

To Reject Report of Task Force on National/District
Synod Relations

WuereEasS, The Formula of Concord (Ep X 4) provides for con-
gregational autonomy in matters of adiaphora; and

WHEREAS, Freedom in matters of adiaphora enables a congre-
gation to adapt its mission and ministry to meet the unique needs of
its locale; and

WHEREAS, The changes proposed by the Task Force on Na-
tional/District Synod Relations severely limit congregational au-
tonomy; and

Wuereas, Art. VII of the Constitution provides that the Synod
is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or coer-
cive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s right
of self-government the Synod is but an advisory body; therefore be
It

Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the Synod uphold con-
gregational autonomy as set forth in Art. VII of the Constitution so
that matters of adiaphora continue to be determined by the needs of
the local congregation; and be it further

Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the Synod reject the re-
port of the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations; and
be it finally

Resolved, That we exhibit the love Jesus commanded of His dis-
ciples in John 13:34—35 as we work together to find God-pleasing
solutions to matters of concern among members of the Synod.

Messiah
Parker, AZ

8-02

To Decline Preliminary Report of Task Force

WHEREAS, Many of the proposals of the Preliminary Report of
the Task Force on National/Synod Relations seek to alter the rela-
tionship between the congregations in the various Districts of the
Synod and the national body, which will centralize control in the
national offices and officers of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Such proposals run counter to the guarantees of the
Constitution (Art. VII) that the Synod is advisory and not legisla-
tive; and

Wuereas, Many of the task force proposals will increase the
powers of the synodical structure and diminish the rights of con-
gregations to determine the applicability of synodical resolutions
to their particular circumstances as guaranteed by the Synod Con-
stitution in Art. VII; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention decline the recommen-
dations of the special task force; and be it further

Resolved, That specific recommendations of the Preliminary
Report that may have some merit for further consideration be re-
vised and placed in specific overtures for further consideration by
future conventions of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That the members of the task torce be thanked for
their efforts and be released from any further responsibilities.

Our Savior
Plantation, FL

8-03

To Reject TF Report and Notion of Hierarchy

WHEREAS, Jesus said: “You know that those who are regarded
as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials
exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever
wants to become great among you must be your servant ...” (Mark
10:42-45); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has rejected
the notion from the beginning of being a hierarchical church; and

WHEREAS, There is little opportunity in the structure being put
forward by the Task Force for the national church body to listen to
the needs of the local congregations since the flow of information is
strictly from the national level down; and

WHEREAS, When there is little opportunity for listening there is
little opportunity for responding to local situations; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod con-
serve the wonderful legacy given us from the past by our forefa-
thers in the church; and be it further

Resolved, That the report of the Task Force on National/District
Synod Relations be rejected; and be it finally

Resolved, That we encourage all officers and workers of our na-
tional church body to consider themselves servants in Jesus to as-
sist in the ministries of the various congregations in our Synod.

Grace
Queens Village, NY

8-04

To Reject Each of the
Recommendations of the Task Force

WHEREAS, The proposed recommendations of the Task Force
on National/District Synod Relations seek to greatly expand the
centralized control and authority of the Synod over individual, au-
tonomous congregations; and

WHEREAS, Such expansion of centralized contro] and authority
will increase rather than decrease conflict within the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Such expansion of centralized control and authority
will hinder rather than nurture the conduct of God’s Great Com-
mission on earth through us; and

WHEREAS, Such expansion of centralized control and authority
would abandon our trust in God to lead our individual and au-
tonomous congregations in the mission field and would replace
Him and His leadership with man and man-made dogma; and

WHEREAS, The proposed involuntary dissolution of the English
District ignores prior resolutions of a similar nature made at the
Synod in convention in 1911, 1923, 1935, 1950, 1953, 1956, and
1975, all of which were soundly rejected; and

WHEREAS, The English District has neither requested nor does it
consent to such proposed dissolution; and

WHEREAS, The English District continues to function well, effi-
ciently, and economically in its numerous ministries; and

WuereAS, The involuntary dissolution of the English District
would gouge deep wounds between the English District’s member
congregations and the Synod; and

WHEREAS, On balance, the proposed recommendations of the
task force, if implemented, would harm rather than improve na-
tional/District/congregation Synod relations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS meeting in convention in St. Louis
in 2001 reject each of the recommendations of the task force as set
forth in its Preliminary Report on National/District Synod Rela-
tions, including, but not limited to, the recommendations to change
the structure and authority of the Synod and to dissolve the English
District.

Grace
Wyoming, MI

8-05

To Remove Proposed Changes from Convention
Consideration

WHEREAS, Art. VII of the Constitution is clear when it says “the
Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or
coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s
right of self-government it is but an advisory body”; and

2001 Convention Workbook