Congregations Walking Together in Mission as We Nominate and Elect
To Elect Five Vice-Presidents by Geographic Region RESOLUTION 8-14
TF Report (CW TFR, pp. 30–31); Overtures 8-11, 8-62 (CW, pp. 224–225; 242)
WHEREAS, The Synod desires congregations to walk better together in mission; and
WHEREAS, The Synod exists to support and strengthen congregations in their mission and ministry; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of five geographic regions will serve to establish stronger connecting links the congregations, districts and the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The five geographic regions would be created primarily for representational purposes to communications and coordination of functions between the congregations and the national Synod; and
WHEREAS, The Synod would benefit by improved representation from all areas of the nation; and
WHEREAS, The Synod vice-presidents two through six would serve as the geographic representatives of the church to improve the communications and coordination of functions between the congregations within the geographical regions and the national Synod; and
WHEREAS, It is necessary to avoid conflict of interest or its appearance when an employee of the Synod or its agencies and auxiliaries serves as a vice-president of the Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod create five geographic regions within the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That the Board of Directors, with coordination through the Council of Presidents, designate the boundaries of the five regions at least 24 months in advance of each Synod convention, appropriately considering geographical and confirmed membership information; and be it further
Resolved, That the congregations of each of the five geographic regions within the Synod nominate from their regions candidates for the position of Synod vice-president and, from these nominations, the Synod in convention elect a vice-president from each geographical region; and be it further
Resolved, That an employee of the Synod or its agencies and auxiliaries not be eligible to serve as a regional vice-president; and be it finally
Resolved, That Bylaws 1.2.1 (r), 1.3.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.4(a), 3.2.4.1, 3.3.2.3, 3.3.2.4, 3.3.5.1, 3.10.1, 3.10.2, 3.12.1, and 3.12.1.6 be amended accordingly, as shown (“2007 Handbook Convention Version,” TB, pp. 171, 172, 236, 237, 238, 241, 242–243, 274–275, 303–305).
Paraphrased Resolves. The Board of Directors divides the country into 5 geographical regions and there’s a vice-president from each region.
My comment is that if the Synod were primarily a theological organization, then geographical boundaries would be, as they should be, meaningless. But since the Synod has taken on so many responsibilities that each region feels that it has different needs that other sections of the country and thus can’t be represented by those outside the geographical region. I’d rather have a confessional Lutheran from Africa as a vice-president than a VP from California who was Lutheran in name only.
Vote: No
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