LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 211

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CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 211

Merging Commission on Social Concerns

Milwaukee Res. 4-47 (Proceedings. 1971, p.151) asked the
committee to study and report on the feasibility of com-
bining the Commission on Social Concerns with the Board
of Social Ministry and World Relief.

Since then it has come to the attention of the committee
that an arrangement has been worked out whereby the Com-
mission on Social Concerns may become a subcommittee of
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations. The
Committee on Organization therefore recommends to the
New Orleans convention the adoption of the following reso-
ution:

Resolved, That the Commission on Social Concerns cease
functioning as a separate commission and that consequently
Sections 13.11—13.15 be deleted from the Handbook: and
be it further

Resolved, That it be subsumed to the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations as a committee which re-
ceives assignments and makes suggestions to the Commis-
sion on Theology and Church Relations in the area of social
concerns: and be it finally

Resolved, That the functions of the Commission on So-
cial Concerns as previously outlined in 13.13a and b be in-
corporated in the functions of the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations in 2.109b1dd by amending this func-
tion as follows:

in suggesting and outlining studies of contemporary
issues, including also current social issues. as they
affect the church.

The Adjudieatory Process

The Milwaukee convention Res. 5-11 asked the Commit-
tee on Organization to study the adjudicatory process of the
Synod. The committee, however, after examining the com-
prehensive Milwaukee convention Res.5-14 which estab-
lished Commissions of Adjudications (Proceedings, 1971, pp.
156—159). recommends to the New Orleans convention that
in view of this resolution no further reviews of the adjudi-
catory process within the Synod and its Districts are re-
quired at this time. As noted earlier, the committee, how-
ever, reconmmends a change in the name, from a “Commis-
sion on Adjudication” to a “Board of Adjudication.”

Council of Administrators and Divisions

Milwaukee convention Res. 5-11 (Proceedings, 1971,
p.155) referred to the Committee on Organization a study
dealing with the synodical structure and administration. Be-
cause of the great complexity and interrelationships within
the synodical structure, the need for greater efficiency and
economy, the growth and development of the synodical
structure, the many previous patchwork attempts at updat-
ing and reorganization of this structure, and the inherently
dynamic nature of the synodical structure, it has been ex-
tremely difficult for the Committee on Organization to iden-
tify the problems currently existing in the synodical admin-
istrative structure.

Hopefully, the following may aid efforts to come to grips
with an understanding of the current situation, enabling the
first steps in analyzing the weaknesses and difficulties so
that recommendations for improvement can be made.

Currently there are some 39 boards and commissions in
the synodical structure. in addition to the Board of Directors
(22 boards and 17 commissions variously elected or ap-
pointed). Generally they are directly responsible to the
biennial conventions of the Synod. Two factors bear this
out:

1. The conventions of the Synod have created these boards
and commissions: and

2. Such boards and commissions are accountable to the
conventions in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Constitution assigns supervisory responsibilities to
the Board of Directors and to the synodical President.

1. The President has the supervision regarding the doc-
trine and the administration of all officers and employees of
the Synod, the individual Districts and the District Presi-
dents (XI B); while

2. The Board of Directors is the legal representative of
the Synod and the custodian of all property of the Synod,
and upon it is incumbent the general management and super-

vision of all the business affairs of the Synod (XI F). (These
latter responsibilities are more fully explicated in the By-
laws with respect to planning, finances, property, coordina-
tion, and supervision.) (2.81—2.89)

Historically, two tensions have emerged with respect to
this:

1. The vertical relationship of the responsibilities and
accountabilities of the boards and commissions of the Synod;

2. The horizontal relationships of cooperation and co-
ordination between all synodical boards and commissions.

The structural changes inaugurated by the Synod in 1959
providing for the Council of Administrators, the divisional
structure and the creation of the office of Executive Director
were designed to integrate both of the above relationships by
providing intermediary relationships and more regularized
communication. They have not achieved the full results an-
ticipated. Problems continue to exist with respect to the
divisional structure, the role and function of divisional chair-
men, and the relationships of the chairmen to their own
boards and commissions, to the Council of Administrators,
and the boards within their division.

In view of the vast complexity and magnitude of the
situation, the Committee on Organization recommends to the
New Orleans convention that it assign to a new and con-
tinuing Committee on Organization. appointed by the Presi-
dent and provided with staff which should devote its sole
and complete attention to a study and consideration of the
development of a master organizational plan for the Synod
including:

Planning and budgeting:

Representation of boards and commissions in synodical

planning and budgeting;

Function and size of the Council of Administrators;

Divisional structure, meetings and communications;

Role of the divisional chairman;

Voting membership of the chairman of the Division of
Theology and Church Relations, the chairman of the
Division of Church Government, and the chairman of
the General Staff Services Division;

Coordination between synodical boards; and related By-
laws.

The committee recommends, with the concurrence of the
Board of Directors, that a new Committee on Organization
study Milwaukee Resolution 4-08 (Proceedings, 1971, p. 141)
regarding the number of members of each board and com-
mission of the Synod and propose reductions in the size
as well as a timetable by which such reductions can be
implemented.

The Committee on Organization is planning a session
with a subcommittee of the Board of Directors prior to the
New Orleans convention in order to study additional pro-
posals made by the latter. Any results of this joint session
will be reported subsequently to the convention.

COMMITTEE ON ORGANIZATION
Aug. R. Suelflow, Secretary

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2

Report of Commission on Mission
and Ministry in the Church
in Fulfillment of Resolution 1-15 of 1969
Denver Convention
(Examination of Constitution)

Res. 1-15 of the Denver convention instructed the Com-
mission on Mission and Ministry in the Church “to examine
the Constitution of the Synod in the light of the Mission
Affirmations and. in consultation with the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations and the Commission on
Constitutional Matters. make recommendations to the next
convention.”

This commission brought a progress report to the Mil-
waukee convention in 1971 (Milwaukee Workbook pp. 251
to 252). At that time the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations had not completed its study. The conven-