Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 223
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 223

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 223

5-35

To Reduce Number of Synodical Convention
Delegates

Wuereas, The biennial conventions of the LCMS are
becoming increasingly costly and unwieldy because of the
large number of people involved; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
initiate a study designed to reduce proportionately, while
maintaining equitable geographic distribution, the number
of delegates required to conduct convention business.

Boarp oF DIRECTORS
CALIFORNIA AND Nevapa DISTRICT
Theo. A. Iverson, Secretary

5-36A

To Study Proposal that Representation
Reflect Number of Communicants

Wuereas, According to Synod’s Constitution, one of the
objects of the Synod is, Article III, 8, “The protection of
pastors, teachers, and congregations in the performance of
their duties and the maintenance of their rights’; and

Wuereas, The rights of individual members of Synod and
of congregations are not maintained when these members
are not fairly represented in the District and synodical con-
ventions of the Synod; and

Wuereas, All congregations of Synod without regard of
the number of individual members in the congregations are
granted the identical two (2) votes at District conventions;
and

Wuereas, Voting delegates to the synodical conventions
are chosen from electoral circuits to represent seven (7) to
twenty (20) congregations, involving an aggregate of 1,500
to 10,000 communicants; and

Wuenreas, It is evident that under these rules equal repre-
sentation at conventions is not possible, and probable that
members in larger congregations have less of a voice and
vote in their Synod than the members of smaller congrega-
tions; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention at New Orleans
instruct its President to appoint a special committee to study
the matter of communicant representation at District and
synodical conventions with the intent that a plan be devised
to grant equal representation to all communicants in the
conventions of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the committee's report and recommenda-
tions be presented to the next regular convention of the
Synod.

Curist MemortaL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Plymouth, Minn.
Warren Mohrenweiser, Secretary

Similar:
5-36B

St. Peter Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights, Ill., Paul
A. Hauer, President; Robert Bartz, Pastor.
5-36C

St. Paul Lutheran Church. Mount Prospect, Ill., Raymond
Avischious, Chairman; Esther 5. Busse, Secretary.

5-37

To Revise Basis for District Convention
Representation

WuHerEAS, We believe in the priesthood of all believers
(1 Peter 2:9) and the unique contribution which each mem-
ber of the Synod may make; and

WuHereas, We believe that laymen have abilities and tal-
ents but need greater opportunity and encouragement for
involvement; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Committee on Organization review

the lay contribution and participation in all levels of church
structure and provide recommendations for modifications,
paying particular concern to representatives to District con-
vention being selected on a more democratic basis, e.g., one
lay member for each 300 members of a congregation or
major portion thereof.

Grace LUTHERAN CHURCH

Edmonton, Alberta

F. W. Appelt, Secretary

5-38A

To Allow All Congregations Lay Delegates
to District Conventions

Wuereas, The Bylaws of the LCMS state that for District
conventions: “... If a pastor serves two or more congrega~
tions, these shall be regarded as one parish and shall be en-
titled to only one lay vote” (Bylaws 3.17); therefore be it

Resolved. That the Southeastern District memorialize the
LCMS meeting in New Orleans to amend its Bylaws to pro-
vide that “every congregation holding synodical membership
be permitted a voting lay delegate at District conventions.”

SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT
Frederick A. Stiemke, Secretary

Identical:

5-38B
California and Nevada District, Theodore A. Iverson,
Scretary.

5-39
To Clarify Synodical Bylaw 1.57

Wuereas, Synodical Bylaw 1.57, in speaking about ad-
visory delegates to conventions, states that there shall be
one advisory delegate for “approximately” every 30 advisory
pastors and teachers; and

WuereaS, The same paragraph indicates “fractional group-
ings shall be disregarded . . .”; and

Wuereas, Uncertainty could result for Districts whose ad-
visory members are not in exact multiples of 30; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the convention clarify this paragraph, de-
ciding whether the word “approximately” or the expression
“fractional groupings’ should be deleted.

Boarp OF DIRECTORS
FLORIDA-GEORGIA DISTRICT
Theodore W. Eisold, Secretary

a-40A

To Eliminate Double Representation
by Professors

Wuereas, The present synodical Handbook makes it pos-
sible for professors of synodical colleges and seminaries to
obtain double representation at synodical conventions (i.e.,
under 1.57 as advisory delegates and under 1.61, Other Ad-
visory Representatives); and

Wuereas, Such double representation is manifestly un-
fair and contributes to an obvious imbalance of influence at
a convention; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod add a note to Handbook 1.57
(Advisory Delegates) indicating that professors of synodical
colleges and seminaries shall not be included in this category
but instead shall find their representation under Handbook
1.61 (Other Advisory Representatives).

First LUTHERAN CHURCH
Clearwater, Fla.

Donald R. Drung, President
Duane L. Hubbard, Secretary
David V. Dissen, Pastor