LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 175

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carrying out of that office has been irregular throughout our Synod.
In an effort better to enjoy the “fraternal consultation, supervision, and aid and spread the kingdom of God jointly and to make
possible and accomplish the aims of the Church in general” and
desiring to set forth the following minimal expectations concerning the Office of Visitation as practiced among us, therefore be it

To Return to Use of Title “Circuit Visitor”
RESOLUTION 7-02A
Overture 7-02 (CW, pp. 248–249)

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm that visitation
is a primary function of the Synod; and be it further

Whereas, The 2013 LCMS convention has affirmed a return
to the historic office of visitation for the circuit counselor; therefore be it

Resolved, That the district presidents be commended for all their
efforts toward visitation heretofore; and be it further

Resolved, That Constitution Article XII 3 and 7 be amended as
follows:

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, with the aid of the
vice-presidents of the Synod, shall be expected to visit with every
district president and district board of directors at least once every
triennium; and be it further

3. The officers of the districts are:
a. A district president
b.	District vice-presidents as the Bylaws prescribe
c.	As many circuit counselorsvisitors as each district may
determine upon
d. A district secretary
e.	A district treasurer, who may be elected by the district
convention or appointed in such manner as the district
may prescribe
…
7. The district presidents shall, moreover, especially exercise
supervision over the doctrine, life, and administration of
office of the ordained and commissioned ministers of their
district and acquaint themselves with the religious conditions of the congregations of their district. To this end, they
shall visit and, according as they deem it necessary, hold
investigations in the congregations. Their assistants in this
work are the circuit counselorsvisitors, who therefore shall
regularly make their reports to the district president.

Resolved, That every district president shall be expected to carry
out the visitation of every congregation of his district at least once
every three years, in accord with Bylaw 4.4.4; and be it further
Resolved, That the circuit counselor (visitor) shall be encouraged
to visit every congregation in his circuit at least once every three
years; and be it further
Resolved, That the above expectations be understood as minimal expectations and that visitation beyond those expectations is
encouraged; and be it further
Resolved, That because of the great importance of the spiritual
office of circuit counselor (visitor), the Synod encourage pastors
and congregations to give careful attention to the qualifications
and responsibilities for the selection of circuit counselors (visitors)
(Bylaw section 5.2); and be it further
Resolved, That districts and circuits be encouraged to consider
using qualified retired pastors as circuit counselors (visitors) where
available; and be it further
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be encouraged to investigate and consider means of improving appropriate visitation, care,
support, and encouragement of all rostered members of the Synod,
including ordained and commissioned ministers serving outside
the congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That each district president develop a regular program
for him to evaluate the circuit counselor (visitor); and be it finally
Resolved, That all visitations shall follow the general guidelines
established by the Council of Presidents adapted to local circumstance.

And be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook make appropriate bylaw changes consistent with the Constitutional amendment
upon its ratification by the congregations of the Synod.
Action: Adopted (4)
(Discussion began on Res. 7-02A at the end of Session 3, when a
motion to amend an additional portion of Article XII of the Constitution was ruled out of order. Discussion continued during Session
4, during which a motion to return the resolution to the floor committee to reflect more broadly the emphasis on visitation was, after
discussion, defeated [Yes: 179; No: 818]. After debate was ended, the
resolution received the required two-thirds vote and was adopted
as presented [Yes: 704; No: 257].)

Action: Adopted (3)
(After discussion, Res. 7-01A was adopted as presented [Yes:
833; No: 170].)

R e s olu t i on s

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