LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1979, Page 106

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106 RESOLUTIONS

7. To report its findings, conclusions, and recom-
mendations to the convention in 1981; and be it further

Resolved, That the current Task Force Project Coor-
dinator be retained subject to reappointment by the
continuing Task Force; and be it further

Resolved, That the Task Force be authorized to select
and secure such professional and clerical personnel and
to select consultants in order to be able to complete its
work; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Synod
appropriate sufficient funds to enable the Task Force to
complete its work; and be it finally

Resolved, That the members of the present Task
Force be thanked for their dedicated and faithful service
to the Synod.

Action: Adopted (9).

(When the committee introduced this resolution in Session
5, it changed “equitable” to “appropriate” in “a” of the first
resolve. The convention declined to add after subpoint 3 of the
first resolve a directive that an equal number of those who see
serious problems in the Task Force proposals be included in the
composition of the new Task Force. In Session 9, when
discussion was resumed, an amendment was offered to add
after point 2 of the second resolve: “3. To study the possibility of
more equitable one person-one vote lay representation by
congregations at the District level and by Circuits at the
synodical level.” This was declined after the chair ruled that
the assembly had closed debate. A late call for a division of the
house on closing debate was allowed. To close debate was
sustained by a rising vote of 711 to 217. Thereupon the
amendment was again submitted to vote and failed again. The
resolution was then adopted.)

To Restate Article VII of the
Constitution (Relationship of the
Synod and Its Member Congregations)

RESOLUTION 2-05A

Report 2-01, B, 4 (CW, p. 59); Overture 2-10 (CW,
p. 67)

WHEREAS, Article VII of the Constitution of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is designed to define
a fundamental relationship between the Synod and its
member congregations; and

WHEREAS, There is disagreement as to the meaning
of the present Article VII; therefore be it

Resolved, That the present Article VII of the Consti-
tution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod be
deleted, and that in lieu thereof the following be adopted:

PRESENT WORDING

Article VII Relation of the Synod to Its
Members

In its relation to its members the Synod is not an
ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or
coercive powers, and with respect to the individual
congregation’s right of self-government it is but an
advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the
Synod imposing anything upon the individual con-

gregation is of binding force if it is not in accordance
with the Word of God or if it appears to be inexpedient
as far as the condition of a congregation is
concerned.*

* Cp. Bylaws, 1.09 b.

PROPOSED WORDING

Article VII Relationship of the Synod and Its
Member Congregations

The congregations of the Synod are self-
governing. In relation to the congregations the Synod
is an advisory body. However, by voluntarily sub-
scribing to the Synod’s confession and conditions of
membership (Article II and Article VI of the Consti-
tution) the congregations have covenanted together
with other member congregations to fulfill the
Synod’s objectives (Article ITI). The congregations of
the Synod joyfully assume the responsibilities of
membership as they stand in a serving relationship
to one another and in loving unity under the Scrip-
tures and the Confessions, and as covenanted togeth-
er in the Constitution and Bylaws of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod.

Action: Declined (9).

To Change Title and Revise
Provisions of Art. XIII
(Expulsion from the Synod)

RESOLUTION 2-06
Report 2-01, B, 9 (CW, pp. 60—61)

WHEREAS, Human beings, as sinners, are prone to
error and to difference in judgment; and

WHEREAS, Christians should find means to solve
their differences amicably and in orderly ways; and

WHEREAS, The present Art. XIII of the Constitution
places the emphasis on the punitive rather than on the
resolution of differences and reconciliation; and

WHEREAS, The present Art. XIII limits access to the
adjudicatory process to those who have been constitu-
tionally designated as members but fails to extend the
process to those who serve the Synod, its Districts,
seminaries, colleges, faculty, boards, commissions,
committees, and organizations owned and controlled by
the Synod, who as nonmembers are officers, executives,
administrators, faculty, board, commission, and com-
mittee members; and

WHEREAS, The present Art. V of the Bylaws ex-
presses the intention of the Synod to have the processes
of adjudication and appeal available for the resolution
of all controversies, not only for members but for all who
serve the Synod in the above-designated positions of
responsibility and service; therefore be it

Resolved, That the present title of Art. XIII of the
Constitution be changed from “Expulsion from the
Synod” to “Reconciliation, Adjudication, and Appeal”;
and be it further

Resolved, That the provisions of the present Article