For more details about the preliminary proposals and “possibilities” recommended by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance, click here to see the document titled “Walking Together — The LCMS Future: Proposals and Possibilities for Consideration and Discussion.” To comment or ask questions about the proposals, use the e-mail address lcmsfuture@lcms.org.
Basically, the recommendations, which are grouped under topics as they appear in that document, are as follows:
CONGREGATIONS AND DISTRICTS
“Increase the number of districts from 35 to 100 with approximately 60 congregations in each district.”
“These smaller districts could be organized into regions for staffing and for resourcing congregations.”
“Decrease the number of districts from 35 to 20 with approximately 300 to 350 congregations in each.”
“Keep the district structure as is, but encourage districts to collaborate with neighboring districts and to organize their staffs and resources for the mutual strengthening of their congregations’ mission.”
“Instill flexibility so that congregations and groups of districts could reorganize as they feel best meets their missional needs.”
“Restore visitation circuits to their primary purpose, which means omitting the action of electing convention delegates (eliminating ‘electoral’ circuits).”
“Since circuit counselors assist and are the representatives of the district presidents, involve the district president in the selection of circuit counselors.”
“Allow flexibility in providing access of pastors one to another. For example, circuits could be formed geographically, by affinity group, by size of congregation, or by any other method deemed most appropriate by the congregations of the district.”
CONGREGATIONS AND THE NATIONAL SYNOD
“Determine which boards and commissions should be retained at the national level and which would more effectively resource congregations if located at the district level. Deploy staff and resources accordingly.”
“Within such a restructuring, appoint task forces as necessary for such projects and initiatives as the National LCMS Youth Gathering, hymnal projects, transformation of congregations, urban ministry, and the like.”
“Regarding executive staff at the national level, follow the lead of our districts and allow for a minimal number of executives who report directly to the president of the Synod, with advisory boards to encourage and support the ministry. (Currently, all district executive staff report directly to and are evaluated by their respective district presidents.)”
“Standardize terms of office for all elected officials. (Currently, some officials are elected to three-year terms and some to six-year terms.)”
CONGREGATIONS, MEMBERSHIP, AND CONVENTIONS
Membership
“That commissioned ministers of the Synod be eligible to be chosen as voting delegates to the conventions of the Synod and its districts.”
Congregations, District Conventions, and Representation
“Establish at least two voting representatives — one who is the called pastor and the other who is the non-ordained person — for each congregation.”
“Ensure that each congregation in a multi-parish is represented by its pastor and one non-ordained person.”
“Ensure that vacant congregations are represented by the vacancy or interim pastor and one non-ordained person.”
“Allow congregations with more than 750 confirmed members to be represented by two additional delegates for each additional unit of 750 confirmed members or the majority thereof, with each pair of additional delegates to be one ministerial (ordained or commissioned) delegate and one non-ordained delegate.”
Congregations, National Conventions, and Representation
“Determine whether a reduced number of voting delegates — either 625 or 850 — would provide more effective representation.”
“Determine each district’s number of delegates according to that district’s exact percentage of the total number of congregations and communicants in Synod.”
“Elect national convention delegates at district conventions (where all congregations are represented) from a list of congregational delegates to the district convention that immediately precedes the national convention. Allow each district to determine how these candidates would be elected, involving all congregations within the district and based upon criteria established by national Synod.”
“Whatever the system of election, maintain an equal number of ordained and non-ordained voting delegates.”
“Discontinue the practice of designating advisory delegates and reduce the number of advisory representatives.”
“Allow in subsequent conventions for fluctuation in the number of delegates from each district based upon the most recent percentage of congregations/communicants.”
Frequency, Function, and Overtures
“Hold a national convention every three years, alternating between a focused convention and general convention in years three and six.”
“Hold district conventions every three years, alternating between a focused district convention and a general district convention in years two and five.”
“Eligibility for the submission of overtures according to the current provisions with the addition of the officers of the Synod in relation to their responsibilities for a national convention.”
“Eligibility for the submission of overtures according to the current provisions with the addition of the officers of the district in relation to their responsibility for a district convention.”
“The individual member congregation is strongly encouraged to channel its overture(s) to the district convention … through a circuit forum.”
“The individual member congregation is strongly encouraged to channel its overture(s) to the national general convention through the district convention.”
“Overtures to a district convention from individual congregations that have been channeled through a circuit forum will receive priority consideration at the district convention.”
“Overtures to a national convention from individual congregations that have been channeled through a district convention and any other overtures from a district convention will receive priority consideration at the national co
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