Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2001 · 61st Convention › Page 294
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 294

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

294 NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS

8-21

To Decline Task Force Recommendation
re Circuit Counselors

WHEREAS, Bylaw 5.03 a establishes Circuit Counselors as offi-
cers of the Circuit; and ‘

Wuereas, A helptul aspect is the way this provides a link be-
tween the congregations of their Circuits and their District Presi-
dent; and

WHEREAS, This also provides a mechanism for the Circuit
Counselor to assist the District President within their Circuits; and

WHEREAS, They hold their positions by virtue of election among
the congregations of their Circuit; and

WHEREAS, This is all in harmony with a founding purpose of
the Synod to be advisory to the members and congregations of
Synod (Art. VID; and

Wuereas, The Task Force Report seeks to redefine the role of
the Circuit Counselor, putting a greater emphasis on his being “an
officer of the District” (Task Force Report, 5.03 a) to the detriment
of his role as an officer of the Circuit; and

WHEREAS, In his role as an officer of the Circuit, Circuit Coun-
selors function in a servant role toward the congregations of their
Circuit and as assistants to the President of their Districts; and

WHEREAS, The proposed Bylaw changes in the Task Force Re-
port turn this role around, placing more emphasis on their being a
District officer with responsibility for promoting primarily District
and synodical concerns instead of fulfilling a servant role toward
their Circuit congregations; and

WHEREAS, The proposed Bylaws promote a synodical scenario
ripe for legalistic abuse; and

WHEREAS, The present Bylaws in the 1998 Handbook are quite
adequate for God to accomplish His mission through The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, To leave the description of the Circuit Counselor’s
role as currently contained in paragraphs 5.03, 5.13, and 5.17 of
the Handbook.

First, Willows, CA; St. Paul, Artois, CA

8-22

To Reject Proposed Changes to Circuit
Counselor Duties

WHEREAS, Circuit Counselors serve both as links between their
District President and congregations of their Circuits and as assis-
tants to the District President within their Circuits; and

WHEREAS, They serve by virtue of election; and

WuereEas, The Task Force on National/District Synod Relations
seeks to shift the rol] of the Circuit Counselor from being an officer
of the Circuit to being an officer of the District (Task Force Re-
port, 5.03 a); and

WHEREAS, The role of the Circuit Counselor is that of a servant
toward the congregations in his Circuit and an assistant to the Pres-
ident of his District; and

WHEREAS, Based on the proposed Bylaw changes recommended
by the Task Force, the servant role toward the congregations of
their Circuit of Counselors currently would shift to a District officer
role with primary emphasis being to promote District and synodical
concerns; and

WHEREAS, The proposed Bylaw changes all possess the poten-
tial for legalistic abuse and are contrary to the servant role mod-
eled by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as contrary to
the advisory nature of our synodical covenant; and

Wrereas, In Bylaw 5.17 b, the Circuit Counselor relationship
with the pastors of his Circuit is to remind them of the “joy of min-
istry and its great responsibilities,” the Task Force proposal speaks
of the “glory of the ministry,” representing a dramatic shift of em-
phasis concerning the office of the Holy Ministry; and

2001 Convention Workbook

Whereas, The proposal for Bylaw 5.03 (“he [the Circuit Coun-
selor] shall, as an officer of the District, honor and uphold the Con-
stitution and Bylaws of the Synod and the Bylaws of his own Dis-
trict, as well as the public doctrinal statements and resolutions of
the Synod”) creates such an emphasis that competent and gifted in-
dividuals may find it necessary to refuse nomination for the office
of Circuit Counselor for the sake of conscience; and

WHEREAS, The existing Bylaws in the 1998 Handbook ade-
quately express the Synod’s expectations of Circuit Counselors;
therefore be it

Resolved, That no changes be made in paragraphs 5.03, 5.13,
and 5.17 of the current edition of the Handbook.

St. Paul, Weston, FL; Village, Bronxville, NY; Trinity,
Portland, OR; Concordia, Wilmington, DE; Emmanuel,
Kettering, OH; Prince of Peace, Orlando, FL

8-23

To Provide More Information for District Elections

Please refer to the Report of the Task Force on National/Dis-
trict Synod Relations for the text of this overture, p. 108.

8-24

To Provide More Extensive Orientation
for District Presidents

Please refer to the Report of the Task Force on National/Dis-
trict Synod Relations for the text of this overture, p. 109.

8-25

To Change Criteria for Visitation Circuits

Please refer to the Report of the Task Force on National/Dis-
trict Synod Relations for the text of this overture, p. 109.

8-26

To Support Distinction between Visitation Circuits
and Electoral Regions

WHEREAS, Using distinct terminology in the Bylaws to differ-
entiate between visitation circuits and electoral regions will make
clear the difference between the two; and

WHEREAS, The proposed range for electoral regions of 5 to 20
congregations and 2,500 to 7,500 communicant members will help
equalize representation of congregations to synodical conventions;
therefore be it

Resolved, That proposed Bylaw 3.03 be adopted.

Board of Directors, Southern Illinois District; Metro North
Circuit Forum, Southern Illinois District

8-27

To Amend Bylaw re Visitation Circuits

WHEREAS, There is significant variation in size of congrega-
tions, number of pastors serving a single congregation, and the
number of dual parishes throughout our Synod; and

WuerEAS, In areas where there are many large congregations a
visitation Circuit of five congregations would be sufficient for there
to likely be a pastor with sufficient experience to serve as Circuit
Counselor; and

WHEREAS, In areas where there are a large number of dual
parishes a visitation Circuit with fewer than 9 or 10 congregations
might have only two or three pastors, most of whom could be re-
cent seminary graduates, making it less likely that there would be a