LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 292

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292 NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS

vention will allow even less time for input and discussion at all lev-
els of the church before it is acted upon; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2001 synodical convention table the Task
Force Report on Nattonal/District Synod Relations; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That a process be implemented to gather input re-
garding the Task Force Report on National/District Synod Rela-
tions over the next three years, especially at the congregational
level, so that a plan can be devised to build trust and support for
how we accomplish the mission that is ours together in Jesus
Christ.

Nebraska District

8-11

To Table Task Force Report to Address Concerns

WHEREAS. An objective of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod is to deal with one another in an evangelical manner; and

WHEREAS, The recommendations of the Task Force on Na-
tional/District Synod Relations reflect in several instances a goal
of uniformity rather than unity; and

WHEREAS, The membership of the Task Force did not include a
representative of Ministers of Religion—Commissioned; and

WHEREAS, There were to be two District Presidents involved as
members of the Task Force and only one was able to participate to
a significant extent; and

WHEREAS. The time for discussion of the report and its implica-
tions for the church was severely limited by the timing of its re-
lease; therefore be it

Resolved, That the existing report of the Task Force be tabled
until such time as these issues and concerns can be broadly ad-
dressed throughout the Synod, enabling a report to be prepared and
submitted that reflects the historic and evangelical position of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

Board of Directors
Michigan District

8-12

To Table and Provide Study Documents
for Task Force Report

WHEREAS, There is much misunderstanding over the report of
the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations and an obvi-
ous need for informing the members of the LCMS just what is in-
tended; and

WHEREAS, The Task Force report appears to bring a major
change in the priority of authority within the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Task Force report be tabled until the 2004
convention; and be it further

Resolved, That detailed study documents be provided for all
member congregations during the next three years so that they may
better understand the true direction of the Task Force report.

Holy Trinity
Gulfport. MS

8-13

To Consider TF Recommendations at Later Date

WHEREAS, Res. 7-02 A of the [998 convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod directed the President of the Synod in
consultation with and mutual concurrence of the Board of Direc-
tors to appoint a task force to study the Synod as it exists and re-
lates to itself on the national, District, and Circuit levels; and

WHEREAS, The task force appointed by President Barry has is-
sued a preliminary report in which it offers numerous recommen-
dations for changes in the Bylaws of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Many of these recommendations appear to micro-
manage the actions and activities of the Districts and their Circuits

2001 Convention Workbook

(e.g.. proposed requirements for visits by Circuit Counselors, re-
quirement concerning District elections for District presidency and
vice-presidency, recommendation to question the right of Districts
to offer training and certification for church workers, requirement
that District Board of Directors allocate necessary funds for the
support of the national budget, requirement for budget consultation
on a regional level); and

WHEREAS, Congregations have not had enough time to study
and consider such recommendations and their effect upon the con-
gregations; therefore be it

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

Resolved, That the Synod decline to give consideration to the
current task force’s recommendations at this convention; and be it
further

Resolved, That a summary of the changes and rationale for such
changes be prepared and distributed to all congregations by January
1, 2002; and be it further

Resolved, That any worthwhile recommendations may be of-
fered to the 2004 convention by means of overtures; and be it fi-
nally

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

Advent, Chapel Hill, NC; Circuit 13, Southeastern District

8-14

To Declare Moratorium on Restructuring Proposals

WHEREAS, The Preliminary Report of Task Force on Na-
tional/District Synod Relations (“TF” hereafter) recommends a
massive program of restructuring, suggesting new District align-
ments, changing the size, character, and purpose of Circuits, di-
minishing the authority of District Presidents while increasing the
authority of Circuit Counselors, and instituting a centralized, au-
thoritarian approach to ecclesiastical oversight within The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod; and

WHEREAS, The rationale for the TF recommendations includes
the assumption that stricter oversight and compulsory obedience to
Synod resolutions will resolve ongoing doctrinal tension and dis-
agreements; and

WHEREAS, The ongoing restructuring attempts of the past
twenty years have failed to promote doctrinal unity or to resolve
areas of disagreement; and

WHEREAS, These restructuring attempts coincide with a decline
in Synod membership, having served instead as sources of division
and having drawn attention away from the mission of the church;
and

WHEREAS, The TF recommendations have already sparked an
increasing level of dissension and animosity within the Synod,
driving us farther apart rather than drawing us closer together;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod thank the members of the TF for their
hard work and their efforts: and be it turther

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention decline recommendations of the TF; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod declare
a moratorium for at least the next triennium on any proposals for
restructuring; and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention call on the President of the Synod to encourage the
churches, pastors, and Districts of the Synod to redirect their ener-
gies instead toward mission to the world, prayerful study of God's
Word, and dialogue between their members to further the unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Board of Directors
English District