HOUSTON – “The interesting work of Committee 7 is interesting only to a few because it deals with a lot of minutiae and detail,” Rev. Dan May, chairman of the Floor Committee for Planning and Administration and LCMS Indiana District president, told the assembly at the 63rd Regular LCMS Convention here July 17.
Over the next 80 minutes, delegates considered and adopted three resolutions from May’s committee – at times affirming May’s reference to “minutiae,” but also adopting at least one of those resolutions with ease.
Two of those resolutions amend Synod Bylaws:
• One adds words to Bylaws about emeritus – or retired – professional church workers, asking for a yearly report to help district leaders stay updated on their whereabouts and other information.
• Another adds words to a Bylaw concerning the LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters and Board of Directors review of policy manuals from Synod program units. Those additions change the word “regulations” to “governing instruments;” make clear that the Board of Directors reviews Synod “policies and directives;” and specify that such reviews may require that boards or commissions change plans and policies to comply with Board of Director’s policies. The resolution passed with little discussion.
The third planning and administration resolution calls for “transparency in governance of [the] Synod and its institutions,” primarily directing agencies of the Synod to announce their upcoming meetings and to make minutes of Synod boards and commissions available on request. It also asks the CCM to incorporate the directives into “the appropriate place in the [Synod] Bylaws.”
This was the second time the floor committee offered its resolutions to the convention. Convention delegates approved three Committee 7 resolutions July 16.
The theme of the convention, meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center, is “One Message – Christ! His Love is Here for You!”
