Congregations Walking Together in Mission with Covenants of Love To Amend Article VII
RESOLUTION 8-32
TF Report (CW TF, p. 21); Overtures 7-03, 8-01, 8-17–20, 8-24–26 (CW, p. 211, 221, 227, 230–231) WHEREAS, Article VII of the Synod’s Constitution states clearly that the Synod “is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or coercive powers. . . .”; and
WHEREAS, Article VII also states that “with respect to the individual congregation’s right of self- government, it is but an advisory body”; and
WHEREAS, The proposed amendment to Article VII of the Synod’s Constitution reflects the historically recognized responsibility of the members of Synod to the Synod as stated in current Bylaws 1.3.4, 1.3.5, 1.6.1, 1.6.2, 1.7, and 1.8 (cf. 1971 Synod convention Res. 2-21, 5-24); and
WHEREAS, The relationship between and among the Synod and its members has been created to provide mutual encouragement and edification as they work and walk together responding to God’s call and direction; therefore be it
Resolved, That we give thanks to almighty God for the privilege and opportunity He gives us to work and walk together in this Synod as His ambassadors in and to the worlds in which we live; and be it further
Resolved, That Article VII be amended as shown (“2007 Handbook Convention Version,” TB, p. 162).
First Resolved. Good to thank God.
Second Resolve. Amend constitution to state that the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government.
Seems that the current constitution is already clear about this, but they also added “…subscribing to the Confession (Article II) and the Constitution of the Synod…” Two problems, the Confession in Article II are not the Bible and The Book of Concord. The confession in Article II is the confessional minimalism from Resolution 8-29. And we are also subscribing the Constitution of the Synod. So our constitution would state that we are subscribing to things other than the Book of Concord and not the BoC itself.
Vote: No
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