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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 231

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

a

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 231

are a valuable voice as the Synod attempts to address itself
to issues and opportunities which affect many areas of the
church; and

Wuerras, The use of the Council of District Presidents
as a body reflective of the will of God’s people by the syn-
odical Presidents has demonstrated itself to be a blessing
to the entire church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Southeastern District of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod petition The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod assembled in convention at New Orleans to
affirm this practice of shared leadership (collegiality) and
to further implement the same by making appropriate revi-
sions in the Handbook of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod.

SOUTHEASTERN DISTRICT
Frederick A. Stiemke, Secretary

Identical:

5-69B

Lutheran Church of Saint Andrew, Silver Spring, Md.,
Walter Petzold, President; George Lobien, Pastor.

5-69C

California and Nevada District, Theo. A. Iverson, Secre-
tary.

5-70

To Require President and Vice-Presidents
to Counsel with District Presidents

Wuereas, The President and Vice-Presidents of the
Synod and the District Presidents are elected officials of the
Synod; and

Wuereas, They corporately and individually share the
responsibilities of the whole work and mission of the church;
therefore be it

Resolved, That in all matters and procedures which affect
the life and mission of the church these elected officials shall
in the spirit of collegiality counsel with one another.

EASTERN REGIONAL PASTORAL CONFERENCE
ENGLISH DISTRICT
Erich Wildgrube, Chairman

5-71

To Obligate President to Seek Advice
of District Presidents

WuereaS, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod _ has
grown to become a large and complex church body; and

Wuereas, There is a rather broad gamut of feelings, ideas,
and opinions within our church from region to region and
District to District regarding theological matters; and

Wuereas, The members of the Council of Presidents are
all theologically trained men and have the regular duty of
supervising the doctrine and life in their respective Districts,
according to paragraph 3.45 of the Bylaws in the Handbook;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention acknowledge the
proficiency of the Council of Presidents to advise on impor-
tant theological decisions such as church relations, church
doctrine and also statements of position, church discipline,
and the like; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod urge the President of Synod to
seek out and heed the advice of the Council of Presidents
on important theological matters, and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
in convention amend paragraph 3.41 of the Bylaws in the
Handbook to read “.. . the President of Synod shall meet
with the District Presidents at least twice a year for the
purpose of counseling together regarding the work of Synod.

The President of Synod shall seek out and, in every way
possible, abide by the advice of the Council of Presidents
particularly in theological matters.”

AREA I PasTOR-TEACHER CONFERENCE
Texas DISTRICT

R. G. Friedrichs, President

Donald Hinz, Secretary

5-72

To Make More Explicit the Traditional
Authority of President

Wuereas, The Constitution and Bylaws assign responsi-
bility for the supervision of doctrine to the President of the
Synod, a function which he must normally carry out through
others over whom he has been given no direct authority (cf
XI, B,1,d contra XII 7 and 8; Bylaws 2.27, a contra 2.27,¢ and
d; 3.41 contra 3.45 and 3, 49); and

Wuereas, The assignment of responsibility without cor-
responding authority is a violation of sound business and ad-
ministrative practices and has made the management of syn-
odical affairs rather turbulent in recent years, and

Wuereas, The discrepancy between responsibility and au-
thority presented no practical problems as jong as our Syno
functioned as a sociologically homogeneous subculture in
which the President was not required personally to enforce
discipline, but could rely on his assistants to have a spirit of
ready cooperation and to work in complete harmony with
him; and

Wuereas, This traditional reverence has yielded to an
egalitarian spirit and in some cases has degenerated into a
shameful maneuvering for control by those selected to as-
sist him; and

Wuereas, The Bylaws describe Districts as subordinate
extensions of the Synod (3.01; 3.03; and 3.07, ef, Constitution
XII, 1) and describe District Presidents as assistants to the
President of the Synod (2.27); and

Wuereas, Certain Districts appear to assume differing
characteristics which derive from their administrations
rather than from geographic factors; some District officials
openly oppose the policies of the national organization; and
some Districts give the impression of promoting programs in
opposition to those of the synodical headquarters; and

Wuereas, Our fellowship experience with the ALC has
taught us that its background of heterogeneous elements was
successfully integrated by giving the synodical President di-
rect authority over District presidents so that he could re-
place them when necessary; therefore be it

Resolved, That the traditional authority of the President
be made explicit by granting him powers commensurate with
the responsibilities outlined in the Constitution, with the
prayer that by this action God will restore the harmony that
befits co-workers in our portion of His gracious kingdom;
and be it further

Resolved, That the President of the Synod be empowered
to dismiss District Presidents at his discretion, to replace
them with Vice-Presidents of the Districts affected, or with
Presidents of other Districts; and be it further

Resolved, That a full report of any such executive actions
be given to the following general convention of the Synod;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Bylaws be amended to reflect this ap-
plication of traditional authority to the administrative reali-
ties of our day.

Hore LUTHERAN CHURCH
San Leandro, CA
Caroline Uhlig, Secretary

5-73A

To Declare Council of Presidents
Only an Advisory Body

Wuereas, The Handbook of Synod speaks about a “Coun-
cil of Presidents,’ page 86, 3.41, but does not clearly define
its functions except to say that it shall meet at least once
a year “for the purpose of counseling together regarding the