LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 301

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NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS 301

Wuereas, These complementary alternative approaches to mis-
sion and ministry are often facilitated by nongeographic Districts;
and

WHEREAS. These complementary alternative approaches to mis-
sion and ministry provide significant resources to the geographic
Districts of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the nongeographic Districts of the Synod not be
eliminated; and be it further

Resolved, That we thank and praise God for the mission and
ministry of all Districts of the Synod, both geographic and non-
geographic.

Messiah
Parker, AZ

8-55

To Affirm Present Structure of Districts

WHEREAS, The creation of Districts has been an effective means
to conduct affairs of both geographically and nongeographically
connected members of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Synod’s current District structure allows locally sit-
uated ministries best to realize the mission God has entrusted to
them without outside interference from those who do not under-
stand or appreciate local needs and circumstances, and

Wuereas, The District structure has allowed members of the
Synod to express their will to an advisory Synod through such
means as a District convention; and

Wuereas, A task force on the relationship between the Synod
and Districts seeks the guidance of the Synod on its work; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Northwest District in convention inform the
synodical task force on the relation between the Synod and its Dis-
tricts that the current District structure represents the will of the
Northwest District; and be it further

Resolved, That the Northwest District in convention offer its
thanks to God for the many blessings God has given through the
current, historic District structure of our Synod.

Northwest District

8-56
To Affirm Right of Nongeographic Districts

to Determine Own Status

WHEREAS, The Task Force on National/District Synod Rela-
tions’ reasons for its recommendation are directed toward conve-

nience in a man-made order and fail to address the question of

whether mission and outreach are enhanced by this action; and

Wuereas, The English District emphasis on mission by its con-
gregations in joint assembly would certainly be diminished or pos-
sibly lost by separating these congregations into respective geo-
graphic Districts; and

WHEREAS, The task force failed to consider that the Canadian
congregations currently served by the English District and thus tied
to the LCMS would not have a geographic district to receive them
and likely would be lost to the LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The prior agreement by the Synod to first receive en-
dorsement by the nongeographic Districts before recommending
dissolution was not followed in the current task force recommen-
dations: and

Wuereas. The English District has in convention on 6/16/2000
passed a resolution “To Affirm Right of English District to Deter-
mine Its Own Status”; and

Wuereas, The historical precedents of self-determination that
brought the English District and SELC into the LCMS should
equally apply to determining their status with the Synod: therefore
be it

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention in 2001 reject the task
force recommendations that would lead to the dissolution of the
nongeographic Districts within the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS approve the English District resolu-
tion “To Affirm Right of English District to Determine Its Own
Status.”

Faith
Arlington Heights, [L

8-57

To Affirm Nongeographic Districts as Models

WuereaS, The Task Force has concluded four main points for
dismantling nongeographical Districts; and

WHEREAS, We as a congregation can find little or no merit to
these four main points; and

WHEREAS, We as a congregation support both the Synod and
the District with firstfruit stewardship: and

Wuereas, We as a congregation owe our very existence to the
English District; and

WHEREAS, We as a congregation have been given the opportu-
nity to reach across geographical limits to support mission starts as
a collateral partner with other District congregations; and

WHEREAS. We as a congregation place great value on history:
however. we do not allow it to stand in the way of God’s work: and

WHEREAS, We as a congregation use and support the use of
technology to further the vision of mission and ministry. not use
technology as a reason to curtail Mission and Ministry goals; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention affirm the nongeo-
graphical Districts of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention look to the nongeo-
graphical Districts as a model for the use of District congregational
assets to promote mission starts; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention look to the nongeo-
graphical Districts for leadership in using technology as a way to
extend the Kingdom: and be it finally

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention put the matter of the
validity of nongeographical Districts to rest forevermore.

Prince of Peace

Medina, OH

8-58

To Reject Task Force Proposal re English District

Wuereas. The English District takes seriously its responsibility
to “say and do the same things in matters of doctrine and practice
enjoined upon the church by God Himself in His Word” (Task
Force, p. 6) and those matters of doctrine and practice that the
Lutheran Confessions teach, and which pastors and congregations
subscribe to as the true exposition of the Word of God; and

Wuereas, The English District takes seriously the scriptural in-
junction to’ maintain “the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
(Eph. 4:3), and therefore strives for and has maintained a collegial.
peaceful spirit in its relationships; and

WHEREAS, Past and current Presidents have striven to exercise
their responsibility to provide evangelical doctrinal supervision for
church workers and congregations in their care; and

Wuereas, Restructuring would neglect or undermine the mis-
sion and outreach of the Synod and also the peace and harmony
and trust that now exist, and

WHEREAS, The Task Force bases its proposal to dissolve and
amalgamate the English District on these points:

* The cost of operating nongeographic Districts

* The absence of compelling reason to continue the nongeo-
graphic Districts

2001 Convention Workbook