Congregations Walking Together in Mission Through National Representation To Determine the Number of Delegates at National Conventions
RESOLUTION 8-26
Overtures 8-28–29, 8-31–32, 8-35–45, 8-60 (CW, pp. 231–236, 242)
WHEREAS, The Synod convention is the “principal legislative assembly, which amends the Constitution and Bylaws, considers and takes action on reports and overtures, and handles appropriate appeals and establishes general positions and policies of the Synod, provides overall program direction and priorities, and evaluates all such positions, programs, policies, directions, and priorities in order to provide responsible service for and on behalf of its members” (Bylaw 3.1.1); and
WHEREAS, Circuits no longer exist for the election of delegates; therefore the size of the national convention is undetermined, and
WHEREAS, Removal of the electoral circuits eliminates the need for exceptional circuit delegates; and WHEREAS, Reducing the number of delegates
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enables greater engagement of the delegates in the discussion and the proceedings of mission and business;
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ensures equality in the number of delegates each district is apportioned; and
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allows for a greater stewardship of the gifts of God’s people for the work of mission and ministry by opening up less expensive venues;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the number of delegates to the Synod convention be fixed based on ten percent of the number of congregations in the Synod six months prior to the first district convention; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.2 be amended accordingly, as shown (“2007 Handbook Convention Version,” TB, p. 228).
First Resolved. Fix the number of national delegates to 10% of the number of congregation six month prior to the first district convention.
Second Resolved. Update the bylaws to match.
Fewer delegate doesn’t necessarily increase delegate engagement. Ensuring equality in the number of delegates each district is apportioned seems inconsistent, since earlier resolutions wanted the number of delegates to be numbered based on the size of the congregation. Costs saving are good, but as I mentioned while commenting on Resolution 8-05, this modification of the number of delegates will tend to create a political class.
Vote: No
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