Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1975 · 51st Convention › Page 259
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 259

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

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 259

WHEREAS, This is an impossible assignment for any man to
carry out: and

WHEREAS, There is much danger that such an assignment
become the vehicle for autocratic and hierarchical exercise
of authority: and

WHEREAS, It is inconceivable that the combined wisdom
of the Council of District Presidents not be greater than that
of the President of the Synod: and

WHEREAS, The Council of District Presidents is made up of
men who are elected by their constituencies and who are in
constant touch with the problems of each individual District
and is, therefore, in the best position to give advice and coun-
sel; therefore be it

Resolved, That in all matters of controversial nature con-
cerning doctrine and practice the President seek the advice of
the council; and be it further

Resolved, That where the council is not in at least a two-
thirds majority for any one position such lack of unanimity be
taken to mean that unanimity is not possible for the time being:
and be it finally

Resolved. That the council seek such unanimity through
fraternal, loving, and thorough study and discussion of the
question.

Board of Directors
New England District
Clifford G. Larson, Secretary

5-141
To Instruct President to

Heed Advice of Council of Presidents

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod has
grown to become a large and complex church body: and

WHEREAS, 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

WHEREAS, The members of the Council of Presidents are all
theologically trained men and have the duty of supervising the
doctrine and life in their respective Districts, according to
Section 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 important
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 the Synod to
seek out and heed the advice of the Council of Presidents on
important theological matters: and be it further

Resolved. That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in
convention amend Section 3.41 of the Bylaws in the Handbook
to read ‘“. . . the President of the Synod shall meet with the
District Presidents at least twice a year for the purpose of
counseling together regarding the work of the Synod. The
President of the Synod shall seek out and, in every way possible,
abide by the advice of the Council of Presidents particularly in
theological matters . . .””: and be it finally

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be directed to ap-
point a committee from among the council to study the practice
of collegiality (shared leadership), which committee is to offer
to the 1977 convention of the Synod appropriate revisions to the
Handbook of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod to imple-
ment collegiality.

Florida-Georgia District
Theodore W. Eisold, Secretary

5-142

To Transfer Power of President to
Council of Presidents

WHEREAS, We currently suffer in part from excessive con-
centration of power in only a few offices in the Synod: therefore
be it

Resolved. That the Synod in convention mandate a study of
our Constitution and Bylaws with a view toward revising them
in the direction of decentralization of power, and in the mean-
time transfer the current powers of the President of the Synod
into the hands of the Council of District Presidents.

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Lake City, Fla.
James Bachman, Pastor

5-143A

To Restrict Council of Presidents

WHEREAS, The Milwaukee convention referred Overtures
5.44 to 5-55 to the Committee on Organization (dealing with
the matter of collegiality) for further study: and

WHEREAS, Collegiality is a euphemism for “shared authority”
and therefore a clear attempt to dilute the constitutional au-
thority of the duly elected administrative officer of the Synod
and in effect establish a ruling Council of Bishops: and

WHEREAS. The Handbook of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod clearly delineates the duties and extent of the authority
of the Synod’s officers and boards: and

WHEREAS, The Council of Presidents has met frequently to
consider matters that are clearly outside of its area of concern,
thereby downgrading the office of the President of the Synod to
one of a participant: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents restrict its activities
to such as are allowed by the Handbook: and be it further

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents meet no more than
once each year unless specifically called to meet by the Presi-
dent of the Synod: and be it finally

Resolved, That no funds be allocated for more than one meet-
ing each year unless authorized by the President of the Synod.

St. Paul Lutheran Church
Rochelle, Ill.

Frank Hewitt, President
James Cuzzo, Secretary

Identical or similar:

5-143B
Trinity, Lowden, Iowa Earl Elowsky
5-144

To State Limitations of
Council of Presidents

WHEREAS, The Synod has clearly stated its will as to the
authority and office of the synodical President: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm the authority of the
synodical President and the constitutional authority of his
office in relation to the District Presidents, who are representa-
tives of the synodical President in their Districts: and be it
further

Resolved. That the Synod state firmly the limitations of the
Council of Presidents so that it does not become a deterrent to
the useful and necessary authority of the synodical President,
especially with regard to the synodical President's authority
in the area of doctrinal supervision of what is taught in the
Synod.

Nazareth Lutheran Church
Buffalo, N.Y.
Donald J. Sampson, Secretary

5-145

To Declare Council of Presidents
Only an Advisory Body

WHEREAS, The Handbook of the Synod speaks about a ‘‘Coun-
cil of Presidents” (Bylaws 3.41, p. 88) 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 work of the
Synod,” and its second function seems to be limited to assigning