LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 25–26, 2012, Page 1

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MINUTES
COMMISSION ON HANDBOOK
St. Louis Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel
August 25–26, 2012

37. Call to Order
Chairman Gordon Tresch called the meeting to order with all members present except Marvin Temme
(absent for personal reasons). Richard Nuffer provided the devotions and prayers for the meeting.
38. 2010 Res. 8-05B “To Elect Delegates to the Synod Convention” (11-005)
The 2010 convention of the Synod referred Res. 8-05B “To Elect Delegates to the Synod Convention” to
the Commission on Handbook for further attention. After discussion of the resolution by the commission
during earlier meetings, a committee was asked to return with a recommendation for submission to the
2013 convention. After extensive discussion of the committee’s recommendation during this August 2012
meeting, it was adopted for submission as two overtures to the 2013 convention, as follows.
Overture to the 2013 Convention
To Establish Number of Delegates to Synod Conventions
WHEREAS, The Synod convention is the “principal legislative assembly, which amends the
Constitution and Bylaws, considers and takes action on reports and overtures, and handles appropriate
appeals and establishes general positions and policies of the Synod, provides overall program
direction and priorities, and evaluates all such positions, programs, policies, directions, and priorities
in order to provide responsible service for and on behalf of its members” (Bylaw 3.1.1); and
WHEREAS, Conventions of the Synod “afford an opportunity for worship, nurture, inspiration,
fellowship, and communication….” (Bylaw 3.1.1); and
WHEREAS, Voting membership in the Synod is held by all member congregations of the Synod
and exercised through their elected representatives to Synod and district conventions; and
WHEREAS, The current system for determining the number of delegates to the national
convention is based upon a process that includes variables which result in electoral circuits that vary
widely in their size (Bylaw 3.1.2), including the number of congregations (7 to 20) and the number of
communicant members (1,500 to 10,000); and
WHEREAS, A process to determine district representation at the national convention ideally
should be based upon objective criteria designed to promote fairness and equity across the Synod,
eliminating the need to grant approval for exceptional circuits (Bylaw 3.1.2 [b]); and
WHEREAS, The number of delegates to a Synod convention should
• enable greater engagement of the delegates in the discussion and the proceedings of
mission and business;
• facilitate opportunity for deep and continuing discourse among delegates as they discuss,
debate, worship with, and inspire one another;
• ensure equity in the number of delegates each district is apportioned; and