LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 293

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NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS 293

8-15

To Consider Task Force Report Section by Section

WHEREAS, The report from the Task Force on National/District
Synod Relations is long and complex; and

WHEREAS, All the parts of the report vary in degrees of impor-
tance and implications; and

WHEREAS, Some of the sections of the report call for a more
thorough discussion by the convention than other sections; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the report be divided into sections by the floor
committee; and be it further

Resolved, That the convention discuss the report in seriatim
(section by section); and be it finally

Resolved, That each section, in turn, be accepted or rejected by
the convention.

Board of Directors
Michigan District

8-16

To Clarify Relationship between Synod and Districts

Please refer to the Report of the Task Force on National/Dis-
trict Synod Relations for the text of this overture, p. 103.

8-17
To Affirm that Synod Serves Its Members

Rationale

Some confusion has arisen as a result of the Preliminary Report
of the Task Force on National/District Relations, and at times there
appears to be confusion in the task force report itself. The confu-
sion is as follows: Some apparently believe and advocate an atti-
tude and structure that have the members serving the Synod rather
than the Synod serving its members. If control is the central issue
for our life together, then it follows that the Synod is in charge and
its members exist to serve the Synod. But Lutheran theology and
practice from the time of the Reformation have emphasized that
the Gospel and service rather than control are at the center of the
life of the church and that the institutional church, which in our
case is the Synod, must serve the ministry of Gospel and the people
of God. We must avoid any return to institutional polity for exer-
cising control rather than supporting and expanding the mission
and ministry of the church. Luther, the Reformers, Walther, Pieper,
and many others have left us a precious and clear heritage that is
based on our Lord’s concept of ministry of loving service rather
than sceking power and control in order to be served (see Matt.
20:24—28; Mark 10:41-45). We need to help one another so that
the Synod consistently serves its members rather than providing an
upside-down polity where the Synod is at the top controlling, leg-
islating, and directing its members in coercive ways.

Resolved, That the Synod gathered in convention clearly affirm
that it exists to serve its members; and be it further

Resolved, That all members of the Synod gratefully support the
work of the Synod as it carries out all its objectives delineated in
such service-oriented language in Art. III of its Constitution; and
be it finally

Resolved, That all officers, boards, and committees of the
Synod and Districts be commended in their helpful work to estab-
lish more clearly that the Synod is directed by an attitude and prac-
tice that emphasize service rather than power and control.

Resurrection
Coronado, CA

8-18

To Provide Manual for Visitation of Congregations

Please refer to the Report of the Task Force on National/Dis-
trict Synod Relations for the text of this overture. p. 104.

8-19

To Clearly Delineate Ministry of Visitation in Bylaws

Please refer to the Report of the Task Force on National/Dis-
trict Synod Relations for the text of this overture, p. 105.

8-20

To Provide Visitation Training for Circuit Counselors

WHEREAS, A primary duty of the Circuit Counselor is the visi-
tation of his Circuit's churches as the representative of the District
and synodical President; and

WHEREAS, The Circuit Counselor is concerned for the goals of
the Synod, including the use of synodically approved worship ma-
terials; and

WHEREAS, The visitation of the Circuit Counselor is the official
observation of the theology and practice of the congregation on be-
half of the Synod’s elected Presidents of District and the Synod;
and

Wuereas, C. F. W. Walther, the first President of our Synod,
wrote: “It is therefore not enough that a synod, so to speak, have
only the official Lutheran statement, ‘A synod true to the Confes-
sions, adhering without reservation to all the Symbols (confessional
statements).’ It is not enough that it receive only such pastors and
teachers as prove themselves faithful to the Confessions. It must
also see to it that they remain that way: for only ‘he that is faithful
to the end shall be saved’ (Matt. 10:22). But it is impossible for a
sizeable church body to remain in the true faith if there isn’t a con-
stant check to see that everything still is as it was in the beginning,
when the pastor came to the congregation. Without visitation it is
probably impossible for a church to remain in unity of faith and
confession” (Essays for the Church, vol. If, CPH, 1992, p. 19); and

WHEREAS, These visitations need to include both encourage-
ment and admonition also in the areas of preaching and worship,
for the sake of Christ’s people and the centrality of God’s Word
made flesh in Christ and given to His people in Word and Sacra-
ment; therefore be it

Resolved, That Circuit Counselors be given training by the
Praesidium during the upcoming year of the triennium on biblical
and confessional principles that inform our worship practice. in-
cluding tools for evaluating the content of hymns and any locally
produced liturgies for doctrinal and Christological content, as well
as identifying themes and presentations that do not promote repen-
tance and glorify Christ. the Savior, but promote self-glory; and be
it further

Resolved, That these guidelines be applied to the subsequent re-
quired visitation of the Circuit congregations and that encourage-
ment and admonition be given and received in a brotherly manner,
and be it further

Resolved, That the Praesidium be responsible not only for the
training but also for the assurance that these visitations take place
in each congregation; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Praesidium be informed by the Circuit Coun-
selors of the visitations and their results, with the follow-up being
done by District Presidents and finally by the synodical President
when resolution of problematic practice is not possible during Cir-
cuit visitations.

Emmanuel
Dearborn, MI

2001 Convention Workbook