Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 225
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 225

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

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 225

5-47

To Declare Resolutions Binding

Wuereas, The Synod has provided with respect to synod-
ical Districts that “The Synod is not merely an advisory
body in relation to a District. A District is the Synod itself
performing the functions of the Synod. Resolutions of the
Synod are binding on the Districts” (Bylaw 3.07, a); and

Wuereas, Synodically owned and operated institutions,
and synodical boards, commissions, and other agencies are
also in fact the Synod itself performing the functions of the
Synod, and therefore stand in the same relation to the
Synod as the Districts do; therefore be it

Resolved, That, as in the case of Districts, resolutions of
the Synod are binding on all institutions, agencies, boards,
commissions, and other organizational units created by the
Synod to perform the functions of the Synod; and be it
further

Resolved, That this action be in no wise construed as
altering the provisions of the Constitution and the Bylaws
pertaining to the relation of the Synod and its members as
stated in Article VII of the Constitution and Bylaw 1.09.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF Our REDEEMER
Overland, Mo.

Oreon Wesche, President

Raymond Singer, Secretary

5-48
To Amend Nomination Procedure

Wuereas, The present regulations governing the nomina-
tions for the office of President and First Vice-President call
for five candidates for each position; and

Wuereas, The congregations are limited to one nomina-
tion for each office; and

Wuereas, This system has a tendency to give perferential
consideration to incumbents, thus creating a situation in
which the nominees for the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th positions
on the ballot would be minority candidates; and

Wuereas, It is in the best interest of the church to discover
the talents of more men who are potentially good candidates
and deserving of consideration; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod assembled in convention in
New Orleans, La., in 1973 amend section 2.127, a of the syn-
odical Handbook to read “three” instead of “one” clergyman
for the office of President and First Vice-President.

Mr. Outve LUTHERAN CHURCH
Milwaukee, Wis.

Chris Wiepking, President
Henry Paul, Secretary

5-49

To Improve New Procedures for Nominating
President and Vice-President of Synod

Wuereas, The 1971 synodical convention at Milwaukee
established a procedure by which congregations can par-
ticipate in nominating for the offices of President and First
Vice-President; and

Wuereas, This is a desirable and democratic form for

congregations to participate in elections; and

Wuereas, Participating in this nominating procedure
would be more effective and meaningful if, prior to nomi-
nating deadlines, congregations were informed who is seek-
ing office and what the qualifications and platforms of office-
seekers are; therefore be it

Resolved, That a procedure be established by Synod in
convention which would provide congregations names,
qualifications, and platforms of office-seekers for the offices
of President and Vice-President of Synod within reasonable
time before the nominating deadline for these offices; and
be it further

Resolved, That such procedure include the following,

practical ingredients:

1) Candidates would file for offices by means of petitions
signed by congregations;

2) Candidates would file with the Secretary of Synod for
the offices;

3) Required number of congregation signatures would be
specified;

4) Candidates would make available to all congregations
statements of their qualifications and platforms prior
to, and within reasonable and specified time before,
nominating deadline;

5) Congregations could still nominate candidates who did
not choose the filing process;

6) Nominating procedure already established by the 1971
synodical convention would remain the same.

Sr, PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Mount Prospect, Il.

Raymond Avischious, Chairman
Esther S. Busse, Secretary

5-50

To Include Incumbents Automatically
in Nominating Procedure for President
and First Vice-President

Wuereas, The LCMS needs a slate of highly qualified
candidates from which to make a choice for Synod’s highest
offices of President and First Vice-President; and

Wuereas, Incumbents deserve to have their names con-
sidered on the basis of their record and experience; and

Wuereas, Congregations, wishing to provide the conven-
tion with a choice of candidates, should not be placed in
a position of seemingly disavowing trust in present incum-
bents; therefore be it

Resolved, That the names of incumbent officers be en-
tered automatically into competition; and be it further

Resolved, That the nominations of congregations be lim-
ited to candidates other than incumbents.

MessiAH LUTHERAN CHURCH
St. Louis, Mo.

Robert Bernthal, President
Dudley Harder, Secretary

5-51

To Amend Procedure for Preconvention
Nominations

Wuereas, The members of the Committee for Convention
Nominations are elected by the convention while the mem-
bers of the Committee on Elections are appointed from
among the delegates; and

Wuereas, It would therefore seem more appropriate for
the chairman of the Committee for Convention Nominations
rather than the chairman of the Committee on Elections to
assist the Secretary of the Synod in the procedures govern-
ing preconvention nominations for President and First Vice-
President from the congregations of the Synod; therefore
be it

Resolved, That “the chairman of the Committee for Con-
vention Nominations” be substituted for “the chairman of
the Committee on Elections” in Bylaw 2.127, d.

COMMITTEE FOR CONVENTION NOMINATIONS
Raymond N. Joeckel, Chairman
Jack Duensing, Secretary

5-52

To Amend Consent Requirement

Wuereas, The office of the President is the highest office
in the Synod, and calls for the election of a man with out-
standing Christian qualities and talents; and