Walking Through the Resolutions – Resolution 8-21

Congregations Walking Together in Mission with Consistent Terms of Office To Establish Consistency in Terms of Office

RESOLUTION 8-21

TF Report (CW TFR, p. 34) WHEREAS, The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance has recommended that the

frequency of district and national conventions be held according to a four-year cycle; and

WHEREAS, The amendment of Constitution Art. VIII must be ratified by the congregations of the Synod; WHEREAS, The current terms of office of district and national officers, boards, and commissions are either

and three or six years; and

WHEREAS, A four-year term of office does not obligate one to extremely extended years of service, as does the current six-year commitment of some offices or as would a potential eight-year term of office; and

WHEREAS, A four-year term of office allows sufficient time to bring to fruition effective work begun during a term of office, at the end of which time both the church and the individual servant can evaluate whether his or her gifts are being utilized in the best manner for the good of the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That all circuit, district, and national officers, as well as all board and commission members, shall be elected or appointed to four-year terms of office; and be it further

Resolved, If the revisions to Article VIII A and B are adopted and ratified, the terms of office and term limits will go into effect with the current elections; and be it further

Resolved, That all members of all boards and commissions of the Synod shall be ineligible for reelection or reappointment to the same board or commission after serving a total of three successive terms, unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws; and be it finally

Resolved, That Bylaws 1.9.2 (a) (2); 1.10.10.1; 3.2.4–3.2.4.2 and 3.9.2.1 be amended accordingly, as shown (“2007 Handbook Convention Version,” TB, pp. 181, 188, 237–238, 267).

Summary of Resolveds. Match the length of office terms to match convention cycle.

Same vote as 8-18, 8-19, and 8-20.

Preliminary Vote: No