LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 248

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248

Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters

deems it necessary. He may call upon the circuit counselors and vicepresidents to assist him with the triennial visitation of congregations.
(b) In his official visits, he shall seek to bring about to the greatest
possible degree the achievement of the Synod’s objectives as expressed
in Article III of its Constitution.
(c) He shall conduct his official visits in an evangelical manner.
(d) He shall come to the pastor and the congregation as a brotherly
advisor, reminding them of the joy of serving in the mission and ministry of the church.
(e) In his visits, he shall include fraternal discussion in regard to
worship and communion attendance; participation by the congregation
in missions and the work of the church at large; the congregation’s evangelism and education endeavors; its cultivation of sound stewardship
principles; all aspects of compensation for professional church workers;
the need for maintenance of purity of doctrine; the strengthening of the
bond of Christian fellowship; and the provision of resources, opportunities, and assistance so God’s people can grow in their faith, hope, and
love.

The same 2001 resolution resolved that the Council of Presidents
(COP) develop guidelines to be used to define the intent and purpose
of congregational visits and to provide a foundation for training the
visitors. The COP has identified such guidelines.
The 2004 convention made clear the essence of ecclesiastical
supervision as provided in Bylaw 1.2.1 (g):
The responsibility, primarily of the President of the Synod and district presidents, to supervise on behalf of the Synod the doctrine, life,
and administration of its members, officers, and agencies. Such supervision, subject to the provisions of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws,
and resolutions, includes visitation, evangelical encouragement and
support, care, protection, counsel, advice, admonition, and, when necessary, appropriate disciplinary measures to assure that the Constitution,
Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod are followed and implemented.
Thus, ecclesiastical supervision is also the presenting, interpreting, and
applying of the collective will of the Synod’s congregations. Ecclesiastical supervision does not include the responsibility to observe, monitor,
control, or direct the day-to-day activities of individual members of the
Synod, whether in the conduct of their work or in their private lives (cf.
Bylaw 2.14.1 [a]). Further, those constitutional articles and Bylaws pertaining to ecclesiastical supervision shall determine the full definition of
ecclesiastical supervision.

In his presidential address to the 1848 Synod convention, Walther
stated, “We can hardly consider any other constitution as the most
salutary but one under which the congregations are free to govern
themselves, but enter into a synodical organization such as the one
existing among us with the help of God, for enjoying fraternal consultation, supervision, and aid and to spread the kingdom of God
jointly and to make possible and accomplish the aims of the Church
in general.”
While, as clearly seen above, the office of visitation among us has
been clearly defined both as to its importance and its function, the
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
Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm that visitation is
a primary function of the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That in keeping with that function the current title of
Circuit Counselor be returned to its previous designation of Circuit
Visitor; and be it further

2013 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That the district presidents be commended for all their
efforts toward visitation heretofore; and be it further
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
Resolved, That every district president, with the aid of the district
vice-presidents, shall be expected to visit every circuit counselor (visitor) and his congregation at least once every three years, and other
congregations as he deems necessary; and be it further
Resolved, That the circuit counselor (visitor) shall be expected 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 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 the evaluation of the circuit counselor (visitor); and be it further
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 be authorized to
incorporate these resolves into the Handbook, changing the terminology where necessary and adding the appropriate expectations to
the duties of Synod and district officers where necessary.
Res. 8-07 Task Force
7-02

To Return to Use of Title “Circuit Visitor”
Whereas, The congregations of the Wyoming District, at the 1991
Wyoming District convention, adopted Res. 1-03-91, “To Continue
Visitation of Pastors and Congregations,” articulating the following
points:
1. A concern for unity and purity of doctrine and practice, as well as
the welfare of congregations and pastors prompted Dr. Martin Luther
to draw up instructions for, and make provisions for, visitation of
parishes and pastors.
2. Dr. C. F. W. Walther and his colleagues had the same concerns and
thus organized The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in order to
provide for such support and assistance, unity and protection for
congregations and pastors through visitation and oversight.
3. Our Wyoming District has had the same concerns for unity in
doctrine and practice and assistance and support for congregations
and pastors and has therefore gone back to this visitation process.

And