LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 25–26, 2013, Page 17

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The chairman of the Commission on Handbook requested input from the Council of President regarding
the current circuit counselor nominations and elections process and reported that the Council apparently is
happy with the current bylaw process, including its provision of an opportunity to select circuit
counselors from outside the circuit. After discussion of Bylaw 5.2.3.2 (a) and its reference to “fellow
pastors,” the commission advocates a minor change to delete the word “fellow” to make clear that a
circuit counselor may be selected from outside the circuit, as follows.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
5.2.3.2 The circuit counselor shall serve the pastors of the circuit as a collegial and brotherly adviser,
reminding them of the joy of the ministry and of its great responsibilities.
(a) He shall encourage the fellow pastors of the circuit in their preaching and teaching, in the
exercise of church discipline in an evangelical manner, and in the proper supervision of
Christian education and training in the parish.
(b) He shall encourage, in a brotherly manner, the pastors of the circuit in their spiritual and
family life.
(c) He shall encourage the pastors of the circuit to continue both formal and informal
continuing professional education.

(B) Circuit Counselor Selection Process When No Candidate Is Available
(Bylaw 5.2.2)
Rationale
A difficulty develops in the Bylaw 5.2.2 circuit counselor selection process when, prior to convention
election action, no candidate has been selected by a circuit forum or a properly selected candidate no
longer is available to serve. Current bylaws provide no direction for making a selection under these
circumstances. The commission proposes the following bylaw amendment to provide such direction.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
5.2.2

The circuit counselor shall hold his position by virtue of his selection by the circuit forum and
ratification by the district convention.
(a) Circuit forums shall meet at the call of their circuit counselors to select their circuit
counselors no later than the time established by the district.
(b) Nominations for candidates for the office of circuit counselor may be submitted by a
voting congregation of the circuit and suggested by the district president, in consultation with
the praesidium of the district.
(c) Selection of the circuit counselor shall be by election by written ballot. The privilege of
voting shall be exercised by the representatives from each member congregation of the
circuit, who shall have been selected in the manner prescribed by the congregation (Bylaw
5.3.2).
(d) All nominated pastors serving congregations and emeriti pastors shall be eligible for
election in accordance with section 4.3 of these Bylaws.
(1) Following presentations of pertinent information regarding each pastor as listed in
Bylaw 3.12.3.6 (c) and circuit counselor responsibilities as provided hereafter in this
bylaw, each voter shall write in the names of two pastors on the initial ballot.

Page 44 – 01.25 to 01.26.13 – COH Minutes