LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 249

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Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters
Whereas, The same Wyoming District convention also adopted
Res. 1-04-91, “To Change the Name of Circuit Counselor in the
Wyoming District to Circuit Visitor,” based on the following points:
1. The majority of a circuit counselor’s work is visitation of the circuit
congregations and their pastors and their families.
2. The circuit counselor shall “visit” each congregation once in three
years, and as he feels necessary.
3. The Wyoming District has initiated the “Episcope” program among
the congregations—visiting congregations on a personal level and
visiting the pastor and his family.
4. The circuit counselor in past history was referred to as a “circuit
visitor” and not a counselor (as his task is the support and supervision
of the pastors and congregations in his circuit).

And
Whereas, The LCMS Handbook still speaks of the circuit counselor making a “triennial visitation of the congregations of the circuit”
(Bylaw 5.2.3.1) and “an official visit” and “visits” (Bylaw 5.2.3.1
[c]); and
Whereas, The 1991 Wyoming District convention (Res. 1-04-91)
adopted the use of “circuit visitor” in place of “circuit counselor” in
the Wyoming District Handbook and such terminology has been practiced in the Wyoming District for eighteen years; and
Whereas, The same Res. 1-04-91 memorialized the Synod to
make this change in terminology and practice; therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the Wyoming District in convention memorialize The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to return
to the use of the historic title “circuit visitor” rather than the title “circuit counselor.”
Wyoming District
7-03

To Establish Visitation Circuits to Best Meet Needs
of Congregations
Whereas, Circuits are the Synod at the local level and are the
primary organizations in serving the office of visitation to maintain
consistency of doctrine and communication of God’s mission, and
they should therefore be organized in a manner that best fulfills the
office of visitation; and
Whereas, The member congregations of the Synod are the basic
unit of the Synod’s polity; and
Whereas, A circuit is a network of congregations structured
“for congregations to review decisions of the Synod, to motivate one
another to action, and to shape and suggest new directions” (Bylaw
1.3.6); and
Whereas, A primary purpose of circuits is to carry out the office
of visitation so as to walk together to conserve and promote both
the unity of faith and to carry out their mission and ministry (Bylaw
1.3.3); and
Whereas, Circuits have also carried out the function as a basic
electoral unit for selecting delegates to the Synod’s conventions; and
Whereas, Grouping congregations into circuits based on needs
for visitation and electoral needs may sometimes be in conflict; and
Whereas, Districts are authorized to create this component part
of the Synod (Bylaw 1.3.2); and
Whereas, The circuit network of congregations is that forum
where the voice of each congregation of the Synod may most clearly
impact the work of congregation, circuit, district, and the Synod;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the individual districts may establish visitation circuits different from electoral circuits should a district determine that

249

this would best serve the needs of the congregations and be beneficial
to the office of visitation among its congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That the circuit network of congregations be encouraged
to gather regularly during the triennium to celebrate their common
confession and give voice to opportunities to share in mission and
ministry.
Res. 8-07 Task Force
7-04

To Preserve Focus of Districts as Functional Units
of Ecclesiastical Supervision
When Realigning Districts
Whereas, The true unity of the Church is found in the pure
teaching of the Gospel and right administration of the Sacraments
(Augsburg Confession VII); and
Whereas, The primary constitutional objective of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod is, “under Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions,” to “conserve and promote the unity of the true faith
(Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor. 1:10) … and provide a united defense against
schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17) and heresy” (Constitution Art.
III 1); and
Whereas, District presidents shall “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” (Constitution Art. XII 7); and
Whereas, The Synod has, in Bylaws 4.4.4, 4.4.5, and 4.4.6, elaborated upon the duties of district presidents in these regards, requiring
congregational visitations, theological interaction with ministers
under his ecclesiastical supervision, and investigation and resolution
of problems in doctrine and practice, these being well-reasoned and
godly responsibilities and demanding of a district president’s time
and energy in proportion to the number congregations he serves; and
Whereas, The most intimate and influential interaction of the
Synod with pastors and congregations (including visitations, encouragement and consolation, call and placement of new ministers, and
dispute resolution) is through their respective district presidents; and
Whereas, The Synod has, at the direction of her 2010 convention (Res. 8-07), undertaken to study the realignment of her districts;
therefore be it
Resolved, That any process of district realignment have as its primary focus the preservation or realignment of districts as functional
units of ecclesiastical supervision, to be of such size and character
that district presidents can reasonably carry out their duties; and be
it further
Resolved, That this concern for effective ecclesiastical supervision, which requires district presidents’ close interaction with church
workers and member congregations, be considered chief among the
“general principles of viability for a district” as called for in Bylaw
4.1.1.3 (b) (3); and be it further
Resolved, That the Minnesota North District in convention give
thanks to God for the faithful and diligent service of its district presidents, past and present; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Minnesota North District convention memorialize the 2013 LCMS convention to adopt this resolution as its own.
Minnesota North District

2013 Convention Workbook