Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1975 · 51st Convention › Page 228
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 228

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

228 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

5-37
To Revise Methods of Electing Voting
Delegates to Synod

WHEREAS. The majority principle is the basis for the present
method of electing voting delegates to the Synod from each
circuit: and

WHEREAS. The majority principle can be achieved and has
been achieved in the past in various ways, including the system
of election by “rotation”; and

WHEREAS. The present system is exceptionally time-consum-
ing and cumbersome and does not always carry out the majority
principle in the sense that it reflects anything more than the
majority feelings of those present to vote: and

WHEREAS. The present process tends to further politicize
even the circuit by various maneuverings for votes prior to the
meeting; and

WHEREAS, Instead of gaining knowledgeable delegates, it is
possible that the Synod is having more and more “professional”
delegates: and

WHEREAS. There surely is merit in giving every congregation
and pastor the opportunity to be a part of the decision process
of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod revise Handbook Bylaw 1.53 to
read:

a. Each electoral circuit shall meet at the District
convention to elect the pastoral and lay delegate to
the next convention of the Synod. The meeting shall
be chaired by the Circuit Counseloris). Each voting
pastor and voting lay delegate to the convention shall
have a vote in the meeting.

b. The electoral circuit shall be free to elect its
delegates by any system the circuit feels will protect
and reflect the majority principle of the electoral
circuit, with the following limitations:

1. No congregation shall furnish more than one
delegate and/or alternate.

2. No congregation shall succeed itself in furnishing
either the lay or pastoral delegates.

3. The electoral circuit shall elect the congregation
to furnish the lay delegate and alternate lay delegate.

c. The Counselors shall report the results of the
election to the Secretary of the District in writing
immediately after the election.

d. If neither the delegate nor the alternate (pastoral
or lay) can serve, the vacancy shall be filled by the
District President in consultation with the respective
Circuit, Counselor(s).

Board of Directors
Texas District
Carl A. Heckmann, President

To Amend Bylaw 1.53
(Election of Delegates)

WHEREAS. The procedure for the election of delegates to a
synodical convention is rather cumbersome and, in many in-
stances, requires congregational representatives to travel long
distances to attend an election meeting; therefore be it

Resolved. That Bylaw 1.53 be amended to make it possible
for the election of delegates to synodical conventions to take
place at the District convention, either (a) giving the privilege
of voting to only one pastor and one layman from each parish,
even if such a parish consists of more than one congregation; or
(b) making it possible for congregations from multiple parishes
who do not have a delegate at the District convention to ratify
the election by mail.

Board of Directors
Alberta and British Columbia Dist.
Norman W. Eifert, Secretary

3-39

To Change Election of Delegates
to Synodical Conventions

WHEREAS, In this convention we have worked for reconcilia-
tion and sought to walk together in Christ; and

WHEREAS, We would continue to seek reconciliation through-
out the Synod: and

WHEREAS, In recent years (since the 1967 convention) there
have been charges and countercharges of ‘stacked elections”:
and

WHEREAS. Our present system of the election of delegates
seems to be divisive: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Kansas District in convention petition
the Synod at the 1975 Anaheim convention to make constitu-
tional changes in or to return to our old form of electing dele-
gates:

1. Rotation of congregations, and
2. Circuit pastors elect their delegates.

Kansas District
Andrew Sabo, Secretary

To Have Delegate Nominees
at Circuit Meetings

WHEREAS, God's Word instructs us to do all things decently
and in good order (1 Cor. 14:40); and

WHEREAS, Out of respect for decency and good order our
Synod uses democratic elections to choose synodical convention
pastoral and lay delegates and alternates: and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that voters in elections for dele-
gates and alternates to synodical conventions be well and fully
informed about possible candidates for election: therefore be it

Resolved. That the following paragraph be added to synodical
Handbook Bylaw 1.53 b:

Pastoral and lay nominees for delegate status to
synodical conventions shall be invited to attend the
circuit election of convention delegates to be available
for possible discussion of issues.

Our Saviour Lutheran Church
Green Bay, Wis.

Merton Mueller, President
Michael Morgan, Secretary

3-41A

To Change Requirements for Clergy
Delegates

WHEREAS. It is important that the Synod, meeting in conven-
tion, have balanced representation; and

WHEREAS, It is desirable that delegates to the conventions
be free from political pressure to speak and vote according to
the dictates of their conscience: and

WHEREAS. The present system of selecting pastoral delegates
is meaningless and ineffective unless those voting for delegates
are aware of or able to determine the position of nominees on
matters of special concern: and

WHEREAS, The present system has been shown to foster the
choosing of sides and power politics by parties with differing
views; and

WHEREAS, Under the present system representation of Cir-
cuits to conventions may well fall only to a select few over the
years; and

WHEREAS, Changes need to be made if reconciliation is to
be possible; and