Congregations Walking Together in Mission in Larger Clusters (Districts) To Study Future District Function and Configuration
RESOLUTION 8-07
TF Report (CW TFR, pp. 25–26); Overtures 8-51–55 (CW, pp. 238–240)
Preamble
Districts are large ecclesial clusters (congregations and circuits) established by the Synod for the care, support, advice, ecclesiastical encouragement, service, coordination, and counsel that will foster the congregation’s greater participation in God’s mission. Present district boundaries were determined by the national Synod with the intention of providing the most efficient and effective support and ecclesiastical encouragement and counsel to local congregations. Districts (all congregations together) also serve as grassroots mission councils and as leadership avenues for in-depth study, influence, and persuasion by the Word of God, thereby serving as channels to persuade and influence the national Synod through overtures and expanded leadership (assisting in setting the agenda for the national convention).
According to the data received from all 35 districts in 2008, the districts are vastly different in size— ranging from 53 to 372 congregations and from 11,000 to 166,000 communicants. Staffing in the districts ranges from 1.5 full-time-equivalent (FTE) workers to 28 FTE workers. (A total of 386 FTEs work for the 35 districts). District budgets vary from $570,000 to more than $7,000,000. Annual unrestricted remittances from districts to the national Synod vary from $60,000 to nearly $3,000,000.
Is the current make up districts with its disparity in sizes the most effective and efficient means to support the congregations of Synod? What is the purpose and function of the districts and how do they help the local congregation carry out its ministry? This is a topic that deserves careful and thoughtful study so that we can be about our Lord’s work. This study needs to be done with great care and sensitivity to the tradition and history of the current 35 districts of Synod. The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance recognized the importance and immensity of this part of our structure and recommended that a special task force be convened by the President of the Synod to work in consultation with Synod’s Board of Directors and the Council of Presidents.
WHEREAS, Many expectations are put upon the districts to provide support and resources to advance God’s kingdom through healthy congregations. In an effort to bring the Synod closer to the congregations, districts may become the primary leaders in providing services (youth, stewardship, education, and outreach), coordinating North American mission efforts, leading North American human care ministries, providing ministerial growth and support services, and giving worship guidance and leadership; and
WHEREAS, “The Synod decides when and whether a district shall be formed, divided, realigned, or merged with another or other districts, or dissolved; determines the boundaries of a district; and approves the name of a district” (Bylaw 4.1.1.3); and
WHEREAS, Any proposal for reconfiguration of districts initiated by the national convention of the Synod shall “include a substantiated description of the nonviable aspects of the current district(s) on the basis of general principles of viability adopted from time to time by conventions of the Synod, and shall specify the problems or factors which make the adoption of the proposal advisable or necessary” (Bylaw 4.1.1.3 [b] [3]); and
WHEREAS, General principles of viability have never been adopted by conventions of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, A proposal for reconfiguration of districts is to “provide a specific and realistic development plan for the proposed district(s), including detailed proposals for staff personnel and financial operations” (Bylaw 4.1.1.3 [b] [5]); and
WHEREAS, There is a need for careful, thoughtful, and unbiased study of the function, size, and configuration of the districts of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The Atlantic, Eastern, New England, and New Jersey districts have indicated their willingness to participate as pilot districts for recommendations coming from a special task force on district configuration, size, and function; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention direct the President of the Synod to convene a special task force to work in consultation with the Council of Presidents and the Synod’s Board of Directors to submit to the next Synod convention a recommendation that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- General principles of viability for a district as called for in Bylaw 4.1.1.3 (b) (3)
- The purpose and function of a district
- Based upon the principles of viability, purpose, and function of a district, a recommendation for the number and configuration of districts
- An implementation plan for any recommended changes that will address staff personnel and financial operations, as called for in Bylaw 4.1.1.3 (b) (5)
and be it further
Resolved, That after the task force has completed its study and determined the principles of viability, purpose, and function of a district, it be encouraged to work closely with the Atlantic, Eastern, New England, and New Jersey districts in a pilot program for implementing its recommendations for district configuration; and be it further
Resolved, That the work of the task force be done with great care and sensitivity to the history and tradition of current districts, working cooperatively and collegially with each district; and be it finally
Resolved, That the task force consist of 15 members:
- Appointed by the President of the Synod in consultation with the Board of Directors and the Council of Presidents:
- Two representatives (one lay and one individual member of Synod) from each of the five geographical regions under the current district groupings of the Council of Presidents
- One district executive
- One member of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance
- One member of the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) selected by the CCM One district president chosen by the Council of Presidents
- The Chief Mission Officer of the Synod
First Resolved. We didn’t have enough restructuring fun, let’s do some more.
Second Resolved. Let’s try experiment with the Northeastern districts.
Third Resolved. Let’s be sensitive and cordial but do what we want, just like we did this time.
Fourth Resolved. Let the President pick 15 people that will say they are listening to feedback but are guided heavily by him.
Because realigning the districts is what is at the heart of our disunity. To paraphrase my DP, let’s move some more deck chairs.
Vote: No
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