LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 291

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NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS 29)

sues over the next triennium as we continue to walk and work with
one another in Christian love and being careful to avoid letting le-
galism lead the way within our beloved Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Task Force on National/District Synod Re-
lations be commended for their service and for bringing their find-
ings and recommendations to the Synod for consideration and ac-
tion; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force’s final report be gratefully re-
ceived by the Synod in convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention postpone final action
on the task force’s final report until the 2004 regular convention so
that the recommendations on relational structure and operation
within our Synod for its mission and ministry might be thoroughly
studied among the congregations, Circuits, Districts, and Synod;
and be it further

Resolved, That the President of our Synod and the Task Force
on National/District Synod Relations be charged with the responsi-
bility to complete this process, bringing recommendations on rela-
tional structure and operation within the Synod that are in harmony
with our mission statement and fivefold vision to the 2004 conven-
tion; and be it finally

Resolved, That the congregations, Circuits, Districts. and syn-
odical officers and entities pray to the Lord of the church for grace
and guidance during this time of intensive study and building one
another up by speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15-16), endeavor-
ing to walk together while fulfilling our God-given mission to vig-
orously make known the love of Christ by Word and deed within
our churches, communities, and the world.

St. John
Burns, TN

8-08

To Table Action on Task Force Report

Wuereas, For over 150 years one of the great strengths of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been the healthy relation-
ship between its member congregations and the national structure;
and

Wuereas, Art. VII of the Synod’s Constitution states that the
Synod is advisory and not legislative; and

WHEREAS, The report of the Task Force on Synod/District
Relations calls for in excess of 3,000 changes to our present Hand-
book; and

Wuereas, Individual congregations have not had adequate op-
portunity to study the implications of this overwhelming number
of recommendations; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod, in convention, reaffirm that it exists
to support the mission of its local congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That congregations, professional workers’ confer-
ences, and circuit convocations be given the full opportunity to re-
spond to these proposals that, if implemented, would fundamen-
tally change existing relationships between

* congregations and the Synod

¢ Districts and the national church body

* colleagues in ministry; and be it finally

Resolved, That consideration of the report of the Task Force on
National/District Synod Relations be tabled until the 2004 conven-
tion of the Synod.

Faith
Rochester, NY

8-09

To Table Action on Task Force
Report to Allow Further Study

WHEREAS, The Preliminary Report of the Task Force on Na-
tional/District Synod Relations by one count offers over 3,500

changes from the 1998 Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod; and

WHEREAS, 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 interrela-
tionships of many of the proposals may discourage a careful and
adequate consideration of al] that is involved in the proposals of-
fered by the Task Force: and

WHEREAS, Many of the Task Force proposals seck 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. VIL) that the Synod ts advisory and not legisla-
tive; and

WuerEAS, The Synod is to function both “in support of” and
“on behalf of” its congregations (Bylaw [.01): and

WHEREAS, Many of the Task Force proposals tend to increase
the powers of the synodical structure and challenge the rights of
congregations to determine the applicability of synodical resolu-
tions to their particular circumstances: and

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

Resolved, That consideration of the Preliminary Report of the
Task Force on National/District Synod Relations be tabled until the
2004 convention of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That all the Districts of the Synod give serious con-
sideration to the proposals in their local congregations, at District
pastors and teachers conferences, at Circuit convocations, and at
their 2003 conventions; and be it further

Resolved, That a summary of District convention reactions to
the report as well as any proposals for changes in the report be con-
veyed to the Council of Presidents and to the Task Force: and be it
finally

Resolved, That a summary of the District convention reactions
and proposals for changes be published by the authority of the
Council of Presidents and distributed as part of the Convention
Workbook for the 2004 convention of the Synod.

Zion, McHenry, IL; Grace, Naples, FL: Holy Cross,
Pacific Palisades, CA; Our Shepherd, Cambridge, MD: St.
John, Hattiesburg, MS; Prince of Peace, Orlando, FL

8-10
To Table Task Force Report for Further Input

WHEREAS, We celebrate our oneness in Christ, given to us out
of God's grace and love: and

WHEREAS, We thank God for His many years of hlessings upon
our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, that the mission of our
Lord Jesus Christ might be accomplished: and

WHEREAS, The recommendations of the Task Force Report on
National/District Synod Relations were brought forth with the hope
of helping us be more effective in mission and ministry: and

WHEREAS, A climate of trust is sorely needed among us as we
seek to support and encourage one another in ministry: and

WHEREAS, The tone of the present Task Foree Report on Na-
tional/District Synod Relations seems to emphasize an investiga-
tive and enforcement approach rather than a servant-like and
grace-filled posture and supportive approach to ministry: and

WHEREAS, The time allowed to consider and react to the Task
Force Report on National/District Synod Relations was inadequate
to really access input and discussion at the congregational and other
levels; and

WHEREAS, The final Task Force Report on National/District
Synod Relations which is to come before the 2001 synodical con-

200] Convention Workbook