LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 297

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NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS 297

WHEREAS, This responsibility of CTCR appointments is re-
garded by our District Presidents as part of their willing and faith-
ful service to our Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That we commend our District Presidents for their
role in this selection process because they are representative of,
knowledgeable about, and accountable to the congregations of the
LCMS; and be it further

Resolved, That we reject any proposals (including those of the
Task Force on National/District Synod Relations) to alter or re-
move the role of the Council of Presidents in making CTCR mem-
bership appointments; and be it finally

Resolved, That we support and encourage our District Presi-
dents in their role of providing leadership in this and other impor-
tant areas of synodical service.

Christ, Mantua, OH; Texas District; Redeemer, Cuyahoga
Falls, OH; Glendale, Glendale, MO

8-37

To Retain Responsibilities of Council of Presidents

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.930 f provides that the Council of Presi-
dents shall “carry out such assignments as the Synod may give to
the council from time to time”; and

WHEREAS, Such assignments currently include the following:

. Selection of the synodical convention site

2. Appointment of some members of the Concordia University Sys-
tem

3. Selection of candidates for appointment to the Commission on
Constitutional Matters

4. Selection of some members of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations

5. The election to membership on the Board of Regents of a semi-
nary of a District President other than the President of the Dis-
trict in which the seminary is located

6. The assignment of vicars

7. The approval of a list of candidates for the position of director of

news and information services; and

WHEREAS, The majority of these assignments will require ac-
tion by the Council of Presidents only once during a triennium; and

WHEREAS, The appointment procedures currently in place were
adopted by the Synod in convention with the intent of preserving a
balance of power between the various elective and appointing au-
thorities; and

WHEREAS, A balance of power between the various elective and
appointing authorities is desirable for a healthy “walking together”
of God’s people; and

WuereaS, The proposals of the Task Force on National
Synod/District Relations tend to concentrate such appointing au-
thority in the hands of the Praesidium of the Synod; and

WuerEAs, The proposals of the Task Force undercut the system
of checks and balances currently in place; and

WHEREAS, Such changes as proposed by the Task Force effec-
tively remove from the Council of Presidents any input into the ap-
pointment process; therefore be it

Resolved, That the proposals of the Task Force be declined; and
be it further

Resolved, That the provisions of Bylaw 3.930 f be retained.
Holy Spirit, Elk Grove Village, IL; St. Paul, Weston, FL;

Village, Bronxville, NY; Concordia, Wilmington, DE;
Emmanuel, Kettering, OH; Prince of Peace, Orlando, FL

8-38

To Retain Current Appointments
by Council of Presidents

WHEREAS, The current practice of appointments to membership
of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and other

appointments made by the LCMS Council of Presidents has served
the Synod well; and

WHEREAS, These appointments by the Council of Presidents as-
sist the Synod in providing broader representation on commissions
like the CTCR than would occur without those Council of Prest-
dents appointments; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention in 2001 reject any ef-
forts, including those written in the Preliminary Report of the Task
Force on National/District Relations, to eliminate any of the ap-
pointments made by the Council of Presidents; and be it further

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.921 in the 1998 synodical Handbook
remain as is.

Northwest District; Royal Redeemer, North Royalton. OH:
St. Peter, Brooklyn, NY: Circuit 9, Atlantic District; St.
John, Mount Prospect, IL: Circuit 8, Atlantic District,
Hope, Aurora, OH; King of Glory, Williamsburg. VA;
Bethany, Parma, OH; St. Matthew, Vermilion, OH: Our
Savior, Newton, 1A; Emmanuel, Kettering, OH: Holy
Cross, Mahwah, NJ; Our Savior, Portland. OR; Grace. El
Cerrito, CA; First, Paola. KS; Grace, Woodbridge, VA;
Salem, Orange, CA

8-39

To Decline Proposal to Change Role
of Council of Presidents re CTCR Appointments

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
was designed in ils inception to be a microcosm of the Synod
where theological matters could be carefully studied, discussed,
and debated, all with a view to discerning the Lord’s wisdom on
controverted issues; and

Wuereas, A key ingredient to such open, healthy, and frater-
nal consideration is the selection of the CTCR’s membership by a
varicty of entities, to wit, the synodical convention, the seminar-
ies, the President of the Synod, and the Council of Presidents: and

WHEREAS, This system has served us well in that it provides a
means by which no one party or interest can dominate the selec-
tion of CTCR members: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention in 2001 decline the pro-
posal of the National/District Synod Relations Task Force (TF) to
remove or reduce the role of the Council of Presidents in choosing
some of the members of the CTCR (TF Preliminary Report, p. 43.
lines 21-30; p. 45, lines 70-83, proposed Bylaw 3.92] [Member-
ship of the CTCR]); and be it further

Resolved, That the current system remain in place that we may
continue to bring together people from different constituencies to
assist our Synod in responding to the theological challenges we
face in our world today.

Florida-Georgia District

8-40
To Continue Service of COP in CTCR Appointments

Whereas, The current system of election and selection of mem-
bers to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations was de-
signed to represent a microcosm of the Synod and has worked ex-
tremely well; and

WHEREAS, The Council of Presidents docs not consider its priv-
ilege of participating in this system to be burdensome as suggested
by the report of the Task Force on National/District Synod Rela-
tions; and

WHEREAS, The District Presidents have good knowledge of
those throughout the Synod who have theological acumen as well
as acquaintance with matters of concern to be addressed by the
CTCR; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention respectfully decline the
proposed reduction of the number of members of the CTCR to be
elected by the Council of Presidents; and be it further

2001 Convention Workbook