Congregations Walking Together in Mission Through Conventions To Amend Article VIII of the Constitution
RESOLUTION 8-18
TF Report (CW TFR, p. 31); Overture 8-60 (CW, p. 242)
Rationale
When dealing with the issue of frequency of district and national conventions of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, members of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance have proposed a change that aims to accomplish three important objectives:
Provide a structure that creates a convention culture in the church that uses the Word of God as an instrument of the Holy Spirit and His power in conversation, discussion, and convincing, rather than simply serving as a culture of voting power or legislation.
Provide economic savings.
Provide adequate time for church representatives to implement the work of the church at each level of governance.
That is the impetus behind the task force’s recommendation to amend the cycle of district and national conventions from three years to four years.
WHEREAS, A four-year cycle that begins with the grassroots of the Synod will create a convention culture characterized by an intentional focus on the church’s common mission and confession, on contemporary issues faced by the church, and on theology, nurture, edification, inspiration, and worship; and
WHEREAS, A change to a four-year cycle allows for the central role of congregations in all four years; and
WHEREAS, It is desirable to be the best stewards of both the time and the money of the members of the congregations of Synod; and
WHEREAS, Significant economic savings will be realized by the congregations of Synod being assessed for a district and a national convention every four years rather than every three years; and
WHEREAS, The importance of matters coming from a congregation, a circuit forum, or a district convention to a convention of the national Synod is well served by a four-year cycle; and
WHEREAS, The terminology of Constitution Art. VIII A and B needs to be updated; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod adopt a four-year cycle for district and national conventions; and be it further
Resolved, That in the four-year cycle, circuits may hold theological convocations in year one; districts shall hold theological convocations in year two; district conventions shall be held in year three; and the national Synod convention shall be held in year four; and be it finally
Resolved, That Constitution Art. VIII A and B be amended accordingly, as shown (“2007 Handbook Convention Version,” TB, p. 162).
This resolution sounds like a 4-year convention cycle would solve all our problems. I mean we’ll be able to focus on our common mission and confession, contemporary issues, and on theology, nurture, edification, inspiration and worship. Plus they’ll be economic saving to boot.
I don’t see a reason to prefer a 3 or 4 year cycle. The cost saving are not for the Synod as the convention costs are covered by assessments to the 6000+ congregations. So this change would in no way address the Synod’s financial troubles. There’s no clear reason to vote for or against this resolution. My first impulse is to vote no on it as general rejection of all these structural changes.
Preliminary Vote: No
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