RESOLUTION 11-12
Overture 11-53 (CW, p. 408–411)
A. To Remove Bylaw Provisions Adopted by the 2013 Convention for Staggering Terms
Rationale
The final paragraphs of Bylaws 3.8.2.2 and 3.8.3.2 were adopted by the 2013 convention to create staggered terms beginning with the 2016–2019 triennium. Similarly, Bylaw 3.9.4.1 was amended to create staggered terms when the voting members of the Commission on Handbook are appointed for the 2016–2019 triennium.
Since these were temporary changes that will have accomplished their purpose with the 2016 mission board elections and 2013–2016 triennium Commission on Handbook appointments, the following bylaw changes will restore the bylaws to their pre-2013-convention content.
Proposed Action
Therefore be it
Resolved, That the following changes be made to Bylaws 3.8.2.2 and 3.8.3.2 by the 2016 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
See resolution for proposed wording
and be it further
Resolved, That the wording of Bylaw 3.9.4.1 be amended as follows, effective with the appointment of Commission on Handbook members for the 2016–2019 triennium:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
See resolution for proposed wording
B. To Clarify the Role of the Synod President in Executive Appointment Processes
Rationale
The President of the Synod has a role in the appointment of certain staff positions of corporate Synod and certain agencies of the Synod, including the executive directors of the offices of national and international mission and the chief executives of the synodwide corporate entities, a role that differs in these appointment processes (Bylaw 3.3.1.3 [e]).
The current wording of the bylaw does not adequately differentiate between the two processes, thereby creating confusion. To clarify, the following bylaw changes are proposed to the 2016 LCMS convention.
Proposed Action
Resolved, That current Bylaw 3.3.1.3 (e) be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
See resolution for proposed wording
C. To Stipulate Commissions Meeting Requirement
Rationale
Synod Bylaw 1.5.3 requires every Synod agency to meet at least quarterly unless otherwise stipulated in the bylaws, exceptions requiring approval at least annually by the President of the Synod. In the case of the Commission on Constitutional Matters, and possibly other commissions, responsibilities vary considerably from year to year depending upon business to be addressed.
It is in the fiduciary interest of the Synod that groups such as commissions do not incur unnecessary meeting expenses. The following proposed overture would introduce a stipulation into the bylaws (new Bylaw 3.9.1.1) that would reduce the quarterly meeting requirement for commissions of the Synod to at least two times per year.
Proposed Action
Therefore be it
Resolved, That a new Bylaw 3.9.1.1 be inserted in Bylaw section 3.9 as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
See resolution for proposed wording
D. To Clarify Responsibility of the Commission on Handbook
Rationale
Bylaw 3.9.4.2 (e) assigns responsibility to the Commission on Handbook to respond to requests from agencies of the Synod that propose new provisions to address specific handbook-related issues that surface between conventions. The role of the commission is to assist such agencies when developing bylaw proposals to determine their language (terminology) and suitability for incorporation into the Handbook, thereby to maintain its integrity and good order.
A number of agencies have requested that the Commission on Handbook create and propose new bylaws addressing topics referenced by the requesting agency without indication as to what the bylaw solution should be. Such requests place the commission in an advocacy rather than assisting role. Recognizing that existing Bylaw 3.9.4.2 (e) governing that role of the commission may not be sufficiently clear, the commission proposes the following additional wording.
Proposed Action
Therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.9.4.2 (e) be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
See resolution for proposed wording
E. To Clarify the Process for Calling, Ordaining or Commissioning, and Installing Missionaries
Rationale
The general rule that governs calls, ordinations, commissionings, and installations is that the president of the district from which a call originates provides counsel, signs documents, and authorizes ordinations 1 or commissionings and installations of called ordained or commissioned ministers. This general rule holds true for first calls of candidates as well as second and subsequent calls and installations of rostered church workers.
The Bylaws of the Synod in general support this rule, also in the case of candidates and rostered workers called to serve as missionaries in foreign mission fields. Because such calls by the Board for International Mission (and non7 foreign specialized ministry calls by the Board for National Mission) originate in the Missouri District, the president of the Missouri District provides counsel and signs documents. Several current bylaws, however, take exception to the general rule when addressing authorization of ordinations or commissionings and installations of missionaries.
The introduction of this exception, while certainly well intended for such special occasions as the ordination, commissioning, and/or installation of missionaries, departs from the ecclesiastical supervisory norm that is otherwise consistent throughout the pertinent bylaws of the Synod. What appear to be conflicting requirements in these bylaws have caused some disagreement and confusion.
Proposed Action
Therefore be it
Resolved, That the proposed changes to the following bylaws be adopted by the 2016 LCMS convention to provide uniformity throughout the ordination or commissioning and installation procedures of the Synod.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
See resolution for proposed wording
[The estimated cost to implement this proposed resolution appears in the Report of the Finance Floor Committee – found in Sunday’s issue of Today’s Business.]