LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 302

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302 NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS

* Clear prior intent on the part of the Synod to carry out disso-
lution and amalgamation long ago

¢ Changed capabilities to serve congregations with advances in
technology: and

WHEREAS, Operation of the English District compares favorably
with that of geographic Districts: no evidence suggests that Synod
would save money by dissolving the English District; and

WuerEAS, English District monies are spent for mission and
service, not merely for administration; and

WHEREAS, The English District stresses volunteerism and par-
ticipation of the laity; and

WHEREAS, There are compelling reasons to continue the Eng-
lish District:

|. The English District is an alternative structure to the geographic
arrangement.

a. It has been able to plant congregations and begin ministries in
locations in settings where geographic Districts were not able
to go (1.e.; Arizona, racetrack ministry).

b. The English District continues to hold as its first and highest
priority the mission of the church in cooperation with geo-
graphic Districts. (Over the years, it has released over 300
congregations to geographic Districts and has helped in the
formation of two of the Synod’s geographic Districts.)

c. The alternative structure enables the Synod to cross geo-
graphic borders and go quickly where there is need for new
mission.

d. The alternative structure fosters willingness to be creative in
approaches to mission and ministry by offering new para-
digms such as multiethnic congregations, racetrack ministry,
day-care-based mission starts, International Student Ministry,
Generation-X outreach, and a District-funded mission to Er-
itrea, Africa.

e. The flexibility for mission provides options for individuals
whose approaches to ministry are marked by Spirit-led cre-
ativity.

2. The English District is a microcosm of the Synod.

a. It provides an effective vehicle to test the Synod’s new pro-
gram materials.

b. It acts as liaison within the Synod, linking areas separated by
District boundaries, such as the planting of new congrega-
tions in southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey,
the Center for Asian American Missions and Evangelism,
with outreach to Koreans, Chinese, Vietnamese, Hmong. and
Japanese people, a ministry involving East Coast geographic
Districts, the English and the SELC Districts.

3. The English District provides The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod with connection to Canada with its eleven congregations
in two visitation and one electoral Circuit in the Ontario
Province. Without the English District those congregations
would likely leave The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and

WHEREAS, Previous resolutions to synodical conventions
proposing dissolution and amalgamation in 1923, 1956, 1974, and
1969 have been declined; and

Wuereas, Unlike geographic Districts, the nongeographic Eng-
lish District was not created by the Synod, but rather the English
District existed as an English synod or part of a synod 27 years be-
fore the formation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and

WHEREAS, The Synod in previous attempts to dissolve and
amalgamate the English District has agreed that dissolution of non-
geographic Districts not take place without the endorsement of the
nongeographic Districts; and

Wuereas, The Synod ought not dissolve an entity that it has not
created; and

WHEREAS, The English District sees no connection between
technological advances and a diminished need for nongeographic
Districts, but sees technological advances as one of many tools to
spread the Gospel; and

WHEREAS, It was and continues to be the mission of the Eng-
lish District and its antecedents to proclaim and demonstrate the

2001 Convention Workbook

faith of the fathers in the languages of the children through chang-
ing times; and

WHEREAS, The harvest ts white and The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod should avail itself of increased opportunities for
mission work such as the English District is involved in; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod reject the Task Force proposal to dis-
solve and amalgamate the English District.

Holy Spirit, Elk Grove Village IL: Good Shepherd,
Detroit, MI; Borrego, Borrego Springs, CA; Trinity.
Scarsdale, NY; Trinity, LePorte, IN; Mount Olive,
Cleveland Heights, OH; St. Mark, Misstssauga, Ontario;
Forest, Silver Springs, FL

8-59
To Urge Opposition to TF Report re English District

Preamble

We believe that the Lord’s work is being carried out by the mis-
sion work and service of the English District by transcending geo-
graphic boundaries. The English District provides the Synod a
means to go to any area in need of a new mission. The Christian
church needs to be able to react quickly to the rapid social and eco-
nomic changes that continuously occur and the subsequent mission
opportunities that the Lord provides to us. As Christians, we must
remember to put the Lord’s work first.

Resolved, That Grace Lutheran Church urges The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod in convention to oppose and reject the
part of the Preliminary Report of the Task Force under the District
realignment that recommends the possible dissolution and amalga-
mation of the English District, of which Grace Lutheran is a mem-
ber.

; Grace
Warminster. PA

8-60

To Reject Amalgamation
of English District Congregations

WHEREAS, The English District of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod has enjoyed a long history as a nongeographic District
dating back to May 15, 1911, predating more than half of the cur-
rent Districts of the Synod; and

Wuereas, The English District of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod has consistently exhibited a singularly unique zeal for
sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, witnessed by the following:

(1) That the District has started more new missions than any
other District of our beloved Synod;

(2) That currently among English District congregations eight
languages are being used;

(3) That five of the goals set forth by the Board of Directors of
the English District for the current triennium relate to her congre-
gations reachtng out boldly with the Gospel to the unchurched in
their communities; and

WHEREAS, Many of geographic Districts in which the English
District has congregations are alrcady quite large and the amalga-
mation of the English District congregations into the geographic
Districts would make these large geographic Districts unwieldy;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention reject the proposed resolution of the Task Force on Na-
tional/Synod Relations “calling for an evaluation of the existing
District structure of the Synod with the possibility of “formation,
division, realignment, merger or dissolution’ of existing nongeo-
graphic and geographic Districts”; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in
convention reject any amalgamation of the congregations of the