LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 215

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CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 215

5-08

To Change Legislative Process in Synod
and Districts

As a church which believes in the priesthood of all be-
lievers, it follows that all “priests,” as far as is humanly
possible, should have a voice in determining the policies and
programs of the Synod. Good administration also calls for
the greatest possible involvement of the constituency.

Holding our synodical conventions every 2 years instead
of every 3 years, as formerly was the custom, has not, as far
as the average member can discern, resulted in greater in-
volvement of the membership, has not promoted a greater
degree of unity, nor can one discern a greater efficiency in
administering the work of the Synod.

The more frequent conventions of the Synod and holding
them in various parts of the country has greatly increased
the cost to the congregations and this at a time when con-
gregations are struggling to meet their own needs in doing
the Lord’s work at the local level.

For the above reasons the undersigned recommend the
following:

I. The Synod

A. That we reaffirm the principle that the congregation
is the primary unit in the administration of Synod’s work
and that the Synod is an advisory body to the congregation.
(Objects, Article II, c)

B. That the Synod strengthen and recognize the Circuits
as important links in the administration of the Lord’s work
both on the District and synodical level.

C. That Circuits (the total communicant membership of
the Circuit) be given an opportunity to express themselves
before any action is initiated by the District or the Synod.
This expression by the Circuits would cover program needs
of the congregations before programs are developed by the
District or the Synod. It would cover mission needs both in
the local area as well as in the District and the Synod,
ecumenical relations, educational needs both on the parish
level and the higher education needs of the Synod.

D. That the Synod would meet in convention every 4
years.

E. That the conventions of the Synod be held in some
central location such as St. Louis or Chicago.

F. That the conventions of the Synod be more in the
nature of an inspirational rally with a minimum of attention
to administrative matters, such as election of officers and
the like.

G. That the administration of synodical affairs be con-
centrated in an administrative assembly to be structured in
the following manner:

1. Membership: The Presidium of the Synod, the Board
of Directors of the Synod, and three representatives from
each District (the District President and two representatives
designated by the District).

2. Functions:

a. The Assembly would perform the same functions as
are performed by a synodical convention with the exception
of the election of synodical officers and boards.

b. It would set the synodical budget and develop general
policies for the guidance of the various boards and agencies.

3. Meetings: The Assembly would meet annually in
St. Louis.

4, Preparations for the Meeting of the Assembly: Prior to
the annual meetings of the Assembly, the District President
would through Circuit meetings and other avenues ascertain
the sentiments and needs of the constituency with reference
to all aspects of the work of the church. This would assist
the District representatives as they play their part in the
meetings of the Assembly.

II. The District

A. That Districts in the administration of their affairs
would follow a pattern similar to the one proposed above
for the Synod.

B. That the District meet every 4 years in the year fol-
lowing a synodical convention and that the District conven-
tions be more in the nature of an inspirational rally with
a minimum attention to administrative matters.

C. That the administration of District matters be concen-
trated in a District Council (to distinguish it from the syn-
odical Administrative Assembly), to be structured in the
following manner:

1, Membership: The Presidium of the District, the Board
of Directors, the Circuit Counselor and a layman from each
Circuit.

2. Functions:

a. The Council would perform the same functions as are
performed by a District convention with the exception of the
election of District officers and boards.

b. It would set the District budget and develop general
policies for the guidance of the various District boards and
agencies.

3. Meetings: The District Council would meet annually.

4. Preparation for the Meetings of the Council: Prior to
the meetings of the Council, the District President would
arrange for meetings in each Circuit to discuss the work
and the policies of the District. These meetings would be
open to all communicants and each member would be en-
titled to voice and vote.

Finally, We Recommend that the Board of Directors of
the Synod and the Council of District Presidents appoint
a Commission of nine to review and analyze the administra-
tive structure of the Synod giving particular attention to the
objectives and recommendations of this memorial.

St. Joun’s LUTHERAN CHURCH
Orange, Calif.

Fred Herrlein, President
Donald E. Pargee, Secretary
J. M. Geisler, Pastor

5-09

To Alter Makeup of Board of Directors

Wuereas. According to Article XI, F, 1 of the Constitu-
tion of the Synod, the Board of Directors is divided between
clergy and laymen; and

Wuereas, The faithful teachers of the parochial schools of
our Synod have no official voice or franchisement in the
administration of the Synod; and

Wuereas, It is most desirable that the highest governing
body of the Synod be as representative of the whole Synod
as possible; therefore be it

Resolved, That Article XI, F, 1 of the Constitution of the
Synod be changed to read as follows, “The Board of Direc-
tors shall consist of not fewer than seven members, to wit:
the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, one teacher, and

.
three laymen. Grace LUTHERAN CHURCH

Jacksonville, Fla.
Herbert Schert, Chairman

5-10

To Provide New Structure for Policy
Making

Wuereas, Each District president and lay trustee is
elected by two persons from every congregation in their
District, a lay person and a pastor; and

Wuereas, Each District president and lay trustee knows
the needs, concerns, and desires of those congregations and
workers to the best of any person on the synodical level; and

Wuereas, The Synod must express what those who belong

to it finally desire for it, if it is to continue to be a “walking
together of congregations”; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be empowered
to determine each and every policy of the Synod together