Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2001 · 61st Convention › Page 298
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 298

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

298 NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS

Resolved, That the present wording of Bylaw 3.921 be retained.
Eastern District

8-41

To Continue Appointment of CTCR
Members by COP

WHEREAS, One of the greatest strengths of the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations is the diversity of appointment of
the members; and

WHEREAS, The preliminary report of the Task Force on Na-
tional/District Synod Relations seeks to remove this duty from the
Council of Presidents; and

WuerEAS, If any group should have its input enhanced rather
than diminished in order to ensure diversity of participation, it
would be the Council of Presidents representing the various sec-
tions of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the proposal to eliminate or diminish the role of
the Council of Presidents be rejected and the present Bylaws con-
ceming the appointment of the CTCR be retained.

Trinity
Walnut Creek, CA

8-42

To Preserve Checks and Balances
in CTCR Appointment Process

WHEREAS, The current system of election and appointment con-
tinues to serve the Synod well by providing a system of checks and
balances to eliminate one party or special interest selection of
CTCR; and

WHEREAS, The current system recognizes the importance of the
inclusion of the Council of Presidents (District Presidents) who are
elected as truly representing the accurate cross-sections of the
Synod, and have well-informed knowledge of the theological acu-
men of the people of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The current system has served the Synod well in ad-
dressing the doctrinal, theological, social, and moral issues of our
day; therefore be it

Resolved, That we support and encourage our District Presi-
dents in their role on the CTCR; and be it further

Resolved, That we do not change this system of selection and
checks and balances so that the CTCR can be truly representative
of the best of our church body without the suggestion of one party
or special interest involvement.

Ascension
North Olmsted, OH

8-43

To Continue Role of COP in CCM Appointments

WHEREAS, The practice of ratifying appointments to the Com-
mission on Constitutional Matters is not considered a burden to
their workload by the LCMS Council of Presidents; and

WHEREAS, This responsibility of ratifying appointments by the
President of the Synod to the CCM is one highly valued by our
District Presidents as a part of their willing service to our Synod;
and

WHEREAS, Such ratification of the appointments made by the
President of the Synod continues the delicate system of checks and
balances intended by the current Bylaw; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention respectfully decline the
proposal of the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations to
remove or reduce the role of the Council of Presidents in the
process of the selection of members for the CCM; and be it further

Resolved, That the present wording of Bylaw 3.903 be retained.

2001 Convention Workbook

Eastern District

8-44

To Continue Service of COP in Assigning Vicars

WHEREAS, The current process of assignment of vicars by the
Council of Presidents acting as the Board of Assignments has
worked extremely well; and

WHEREAS, The Council of Presidents does not consider its priv-
ilege of participating in the career development of these servants
of the church to be burdensome as suggested by the report of the
Task Force on National/District Synod Relations; and

WHEREAS, The District Presidents have firsthand knowledge of
those places of ministry throughout the Synod to which vicars will
be potentially assigned; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention respectfully decline the
proposed elimination of the partieipation of the Council of Presi-
dents in the assignment of vicars; and be it further

Resolved, That the present wording of Bylaw 6.85 be retained.

Eastern District

8-45

To Initiate Evaluation of District Structure of Synod

Please refer to the Report of the Task Force on National/Dis-
trict Synod Relations for the text of this overture, p. 120.

8-46

To Form Smaller, More Numerous Districts

WHEREAS, There is a shortage of both pastors and church work-
ers; and

WHEREAS, This shortage has caused many churches to be va-
cant; and

WHEREAS, Many of these vacancies could be filled by church
workers who serve full-time in District staff positions; and

WHEREAS, The need for full-time District staff positions is
caused by the great number of parishes being served in a District,
causing the tasks to be too large to be handled through part-time
involvement; and

WuereAS, If Districts were smaller, many full-time positions
could be replaced by part-time workers, saving both time and ex-
penses and filling many vacancies; and

WHEREAS, Having smaller Districts would allow for better in-
teraction between both pastors and parishes, thus enabling us to
walk together as one; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in its
2001 convention form a special task force to divide the Districts
into smaller, more manageable Districts of 50-60 parishes; and be
it further

Resolved, That each new District in a special District conven-
tion elect its own District President and Vice-President to serve
part-time; and be it finally

Resolved, That the new smaller Districts hold annual conven-
tions and that every three years these smaller Districts form into
regions of three to four Districts for convention.

Pilgrim
West Bend, WI

8-47

To Consolidate and Reduce Number of Districts

WHEREAS, There has been a number of discussions regarding
the structure of the Synod and the relationship between the Synod
and the Districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and