LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 250

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250

Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters

7-05

To Adopt General Principles for Judging
Viability of Districts
(Whether Proposing a New District or Realigning,
Enlarging, or Dividing Existing Districts)
Whereas, The Synod in convention gave to the task force established by 2010 Res. 8-07 the responsibility of “establishing” general
principles of viability for a district; and
Whereas, The task force located previously existing and adopted
“General Principles for Formation or Realignment of Districts” (1969
Res. 4-03); and
Whereas, Those general principles read as follows:
“A viable district:
1. offers adequate parish services;
2. provides adequate mission development, guidance and support;
3. is adaptable and flexible in meeting new and various needs for ministry;
4. has boundaries corresponding to the major communications spheres
in a given area;
5. centers in a metropolitan area and has boundaries and internal structures adapted to the metropolitan areas within its boundaries;
6. evidences balance rather than mere homogeneity;
7. is compact in terms of travel patterns and travel times;
8. has sufficient potential financial resources for its own programs and
for the support of the Synodical ministries;
9. is large enough to be effective and efficient;
10. has general acceptance by the constituency involved. (1969 Proceedings, p. 102)

And
Whereas, The task force has reviewed and revised these principles; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention adopt these revised
“General Principles for Judging the Viability of a District” as follows:
These general principles should be considered for judging the viability of a district. Does the District do the following:
1. Provide appropriate guidance and support to member congregations
for participating in the mission God has given to the church, including how that is carried out in the various missions and ministries of
the church?
2. Carry out ecclesiastical supervision as defined in the Synod’s Constitution (Art. XII) and Bylaws (Bylaw 1.2.1 [g]) in a reasonable and
timely manner?
3. Provide encouragement and needed congregational services (e.g.,
stewardship, conflict resolution, crisis counseling, financial counseling, calling process, collaborative efforts, networking, nourishment,
and help with evangelistic outreach, etc.) to member congregations,
and provide advice and counsel to member congregations struggling
to carry out their core functions?
4. Adapt to new circumstances and meet changing needs related to the
mission and ministry of the church?
5. Ensure that the district president is carrying out the minimum requirements for official visits to each of the member congregations
as outlined in Bylaws 4.4.4ff., including coming to the pastors and
member congregations at least once every three years as a brotherly
adviser, “reminding them of the joy of serving in the mission and
ministry of the church”?
6. Meet its financial responsibilities and obligations, and receive sufficient financial resources from its membership to (i) support the
mission and ministry of the church in the district, and (ii) financially
assist the mission and ministry of the Synod?
7. Find itself to be of a size and configuration to be effective, efficient,
and capable of serving all who make up its constituency?
8. Provide adequate assistance and support to allow the district president to carry out the functions and obligations of the office of district

2013 Convention Workbook

president as set forth in the Bylaws?

And be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention adopt these general principles as guidelines for judging the viability of a district when forming,
consolidating, or dividing a district of the Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That during the next triennium, each district be encouraged (and required) to evaluate itself through its officers and board
of directors in light of these general principles and actively to consider and pursue ways in which it could possibly work with or join
with other districts to carry out more effectively its mission in light of
those principles and provide a report to the 2016 Synod convention.
Res. 8-07 Task Force
7-06

To Modify Process of Study for Synodwide District
Reconfiguration
Whereas, LCMS Bylaw 4.1.1.3 states: “The Synod decides when
and whether a district shall be formed, divided, realigned, or merged
with another or other districts, or dissolved”; and
Whereas, 2010 LCMS Res. 8-07 “To Study Future District
Function and Configuration” in its first Resolved statement directed
the President of the Synod to convene a special task force to work in
consultation with the Council of Presidents and the Synod’s Board
of directors to submit to the next Synod convention a recommendation that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
•

•
•

•

General principles of viability for a district as called for in Bylaw
4.1.1.3 (b) (3);
The purpose and function of a district;
Recommendations to improve efficiency and coordination between
the Synod and districts and among the districts, including possible
changes in the number and configuration of districts; and
An implementation plan for any recommended changes that will address staff personnel and financial operations, as called for in Bylaw
4.1.1.3 (b) (5);

and

Whereas, Res. 8-07 in its third Resolved statement directed that
“the work of the task force be done with great care and sensitivity to
the history and tradition of current districts, working cooperatively
and collegially with each district”; and
Whereas, Res. 8-07 in its fourth Whereas clause stated: “General
principles of viability have never been adopted by conventions of the
Synod”; and
Whereas, The restructuring of the organization of Synod that was
adopted under Res. 8-08A at the 2010 Synod convention eliminated
the existing “program boards” of Synod that previously provided
many resources to districts and congregations, and in their place it
established an Office of National Mission, which has been described
as a “policy office” to coordinate the ministries of the former “program boards”; and
Whereas, Res. 8-07 in its first Whereas clause states that “districts may become the primary leaders in providing services (youth,
stewardship, education, and outreach)”; and
Whereas, Districts through their service or program areas and the
offices of the district president and other district executives already
provide significant resources for youth, stewardship, education, and
outreach; and
Whereas, Districts through the offices of the district presidents
and other district executives already share many resources through
networking arrangements; and