LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 290

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290 NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS

WHEREAS, Art. VIII C specifies that “Al] matters of doctrine and
of conscience shal] be decided only by the Word of God. All other
matters shall be decided by a majority vote”; and

WHEREAS, These two articles mean each congregation should
determine whether or not a resolution passed by a synodical con-
vention is in accord with Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions;
and

WHEREAS, The Preliminary Report of Task Force on Na-
tional/District Synod Relations contains hundreds of proposed
changes to the Synod Bylaws, many seemingly intended to cen-
tralize governance over local congregations and Districts in a “from
the top down” style by a central Synod headquarters; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention reaffirm its intent to honor and abide by Art. VH and Art.
VIILC, and to remove or change any Bylaws that are not in accord
with these articles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod hold null and void the Sept. 14, 1999,
ruling of the Commission on Constitutional Matters, which says
only nondoctrinal synodical resolutions are advisory, as this ruling
goes against the tone of Art. VII and Art. VIII C; and be it further

Resolved, That all proposals for changes in relationships among
us as we interact with one another as the Synod, as Districts, and as
Circuits presented in the Preliminary Report of Task Force on Na-
tional/District Synod Relations and shown in both parts I and II of
the “Preliminary Report, Commission on Structure, The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, July 2000” be removed from considera-
tion by the 2001 convention; and be it finally

Resolved, That we trust one another in Christ and with the guid-
ance of the Holy Spirit to continue to work together under the
guidelines and Bylaws we have used in the past, so that we might,
together, advance the cause of the Gospel.

Bethel
Gurnee, IL

8-06

To Decline to Give Consideration
to Task Force Recommendations

WHEREAS, The Preliminary Report of the Task Force on
National/District Synod Relations has close to 3,500 changes
from the present 1998 Handbook; and

Wuereas, The Preliminary Report indicates that there will be
further changes suggested prior to the 2001 convention; and

WHEREAS, The length of the report and the complex inter-
relationships of many of the proposed changes may discourage a
careful] and adequate consideration of all that is involved in the
proposals offered by the Task Force; and

WHEREAS, Many of these recommendations tend to
micromanage the actions and activities of the Districts and their
Circuits (e.g., proposed changes in the role of Circuit Counselors,
removal of the Council of Presidents’ responsibilities to appoint
and nominate individuals, recommendation to question right of
Districts to offer training and certification for church workers),
and

WHEREAS, Many of the Task Force proposals seek to alter the
relationship between the congregations in the various Districts of
the Synod and the national body in an effort to centralize control
in the national 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
legislative; and

Wuereas, Many of the Task Force proposals tend to increase
the powers of the synodical structure and lesson the rights of
congregations to determine the applicability of synodical
resolutions to their particular circumstances; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force’s concern for “cohesiveness” often
is at the expense of the freedom of congregations and Districts to
meet the specific needs of their areas of ministry; therefore be it

2001 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That the Synod in convention resist the tendency to
centralize authority in the national Synod and its leadership at the
expense of local leadership; and be it further

Resolved, To decline to give consideration to the current Task
Force’s recommendations at this convention; and be it further

Resolved, That any worthwhile recommendations may be
offered to the 2004 convention by means of overtures; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the members of the current Task Force be
thanked for their efforts and be released from further
responsibilities.

Immanuel
Riverside, CA

8-07

To Postpone Final Action on Task Force Report

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod adopted its
mission statement, “to vigorously make known the love of Christ
by Word and deed within our churches, communities and the
world,” at the 1998 regular convention since “such a mission state-
ment can provide guidance, direction, and encouragement for a
church body as it communicates internally and externally in the
pursuit of its God-given mission and ministry” (Res. 1-01 A): and

WHEREAS, The 1998 convention also reaffirmed the Fivefold
Vision Statement for 2000 and Beyond, “to be a church body (1)
strong in the Word, (2) Christ centered and people sensitive, (3)
reaching out boldly with the Gospel, (4) faithful to the Scriptures
and the Lutheran Confessions, (5) marked by peace and unity,” by
resolving “that the synodical boards and commissions of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod continue to develop goals and
strategies that are in harmony with this fivefold vision; and ... that
we urge the Districts and congregations of our Synod to continue to
strive with God’s help to put this fivefold vision statement into
practice” (Res. |-05); and

WuereaS, The Task Force on National/District Synod Relations
was formed in conformity with 1998 Res. 7-02A to “study the
Synod as it exists and relates to itself on the national, District, and
Circuit levels, the manner of electing delegates. the role of the
Council of Presidents, as well as other issues”: and

WHEREAS, The task force was unable to have as comprehensive
a representation of congregations, Circuits, all Districts, and syn-
odical entities in its interview process as might have been desired
before presentation of its preliminary report, due to its deadline of
July 2000; and

WHEREAS, The task force is refining its report due to much re-
sponse throughout the Synod, both positive and constructively crit-
ical on the various findings and recommendations, in order to pre-
sent its final report to the 2001 convention; and

WHEREAS, The final report will certainly have many findings
and recommendations that the congregations, who join together to
form the Circuits, Districts, and Synod and from which come the
officers and servants on boards and commissions of the Synod,
would want to seriously consider the recommendations together be-
fore making any significant changes regarding our relational struc-
ture and operation in order to “vigorously make known the love of
Christ by Word and deed” to fulfill our God-given mission and put
into practice the fivefold vision through them; and

Wuereas, Our Synod has many relational, ministry, and busi-
ness issues also before the convention requiring substantial time
and attention in addition to acting on the task force’s final report;
and

WHEREAS, Our Synod has been involved in an intensive three-
year study on church fellowship between the LCMS and other
Christians involving individual discussions, study documents, and
distinct large and small group studies at all District conventions in
preparation for the 200! convention; and

WHEREAS, It would also be fitting to do a similar intensive study
of these extremely important relational structure and operation is-