LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 276

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276

Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters
meeting convention is being convened.

and be it further
Resolved, That current Bylaw 4.9.1 also be amended as follows
and in effect only if and when amended Article VIII is ratified by the
congregations of the Synod (effective immediately):
4.9 Other District Meetings
4.9.1 Other meetings Meetings other than official district conferences, such as district theological convocations, also may consider matters of doctrine, exegesis, and practical theology, and may be used for
promotion of the basicto promote the activities of the Synodchurch.
Such meetings, including circuit conferences, shall not be regarded as
official conferences.
4.9.1.1 During the second year of the quadrennium following a national convention, districts shall hold district theological convocations,
gatherings of all member congregations of the districts.
(a) They shall provide a setting under the power and authority of God’s
Word for in-depth study and discussion (mutual conversation and
consolation) of theological, missiological, and contemporary issues
before the Synod.
(b) They shall also provide encouragement and resources for congregations and circuit forums to generate helpful, effective, and responsible overtures to district and national conventions of the Synod.
(c) The district president as the district ecclesiastical supervisor serves
as chairman of the convocation and has the primary responsibility
for setting the agenda, in consultation with the district praesidium
and the circuit counselors of the district. He may consult with and
utilize the resources of the President of the Synod, the Council of
Presidents, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, and
the faculties of the seminaries and universities of the Synod.
4.9.1.2 (a) Pastors, teachers, directors of Christian education, directors of Christian outreach, directors of family life ministry, directors of
parish music, deaconesses, certified lay ministers, and parish assistants
are encouraged to meet also jointly for the purpose of discussing doctrinal, professional, and practical matters.
4.9.1.3 Ministers of religion—ordained and ministers of religion—
commissioned ordained ministers are also encouraged to organize
smaller meetings in addition to their official conferences.
4.9.1.4 (c) Intersynodical conferences Conferences with other
church bodies for the study of theology are desirable and are encouraged to be held on a regular basis. They also are not official conferences.

and be it further
Resolved, That if and when amended Article VIII is ratified by
the congregations of the Synod, all district and national officers, as
well as all board and commission members (all elected or appointed
to positions in districts or the Synod) shall serve an additional year
(effective immediately); and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook recommend any
necessary or suggested bylaw changes for terms of office and term
limits at the 2016 LCMS convention.
Texas District Board of Directors
7-33

To Adopt Four-Year Convention Cycle
Preamble
When dealing with the issue of frequency of district and national
conventions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, members of
the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance in
2010 proposed a change in the convention cycle that aims to accomplish three important objectives:

1. Provide a structure that creates a convention culture in the church

2013 Convention Workbook

that uses the Word of God as an instrument of the Holy Spirit and
His power in conversation, discussion, and convincing, rather than
simply serving as a culture of voting power or legislation.
2. Provide economic savings.
3. Provide adequate time for church representatives to implement the
work of the church at each level of governance.

For those reasons, there is value in reconsidering a four-year convention cycle.
Whereas, A four-year cycle that begins with the grassroots of the
Synod will create a convention culture characterized by an intentional
focus on the church’s common mission and confession, on contemporary issues faced by the church, and on theology, nurture, edification,
inspiration, and worship; and
Whereas, A change to a four-year cycle allows for the central
role of congregations in all four years; and
Whereas, It is desirable to be the best stewards of both the time
and the money of the members of the congregations of the Synod; and
Whereas, Significant economic savings will be realized by the
congregations of the Synod being assessed for a district and a national
convention every four years rather than every three years; and
Whereas, The importance of matters coming from a congregation, a circuit forum, or a district convention to a convention of the
national Synod is well served by a four-year cycle; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod adopt a
four-year cycle for district and national conventions; and be it further
Resolved, That in the four-year cycle, circuits may hold theological convocations in year one; districts shall hold theological
convocations in year two; district conventions shall be held in year
three; and the national Synod convention shall be held in year four;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws be amended
to reflect a four-year convention cycle and terms of office.
Pacific Southwest District; Southeastern District
7-34

To Restore Former Adjudication Process
Whereas, Prior to 1992, the Synod was blessed with a system
of dispute resolution that was deemed to be biblical and fair and that
safeguarded the rights of individual members of the Synod, in spite
of the fact that the Synod did not always prevail in disputes against
individual members; and
Whereas, Prior to 1992, the Commission of Adjudication and the
Commission of Appeals were elected by the Synod convention in a
process deemed to be biblical and impartial; and
Whereas, Now “reconcilers” are appointed; and
Whereas, There is no guarantee that the dispute resolution panels will include pastors, in spite of Augsburg Confession XXVIII 21,
which says that the jurisdiction to judge doctrine and to reject doctrines contrary to the Gospel belongs to the office of the ministry by
divine right; and
Whereas, Some officials, clergy, and others strenuously oppose
going back to the former adjudication procedure lest they be subject
to scriptural rebuke for their sinful actions, i.e., worshiping with nonChristians, engaging in unionistic activities with heterodox church
bodies, allowing women to preach at worship services, etc.; and
Whereas, Recent events and the subsequent division and lawsuits
which continue to tear apart our Synod and cost thousands of dollars all bear testimony to the need to restore the former adjudication