To Create Task Force to Develop Overture for Change in Regional Vice-President Selection

Official Workbook overture source text

9-24 
To Create Task Force to Develop Overture for 
Change in Regional Vice-President Selection 
WHEREAS, The Synod utilizes entities within specific groupings 
to live out its life together as Synod in an orderly way for the benefit 
of the Body of Christ; and 
WHEREAS, Districts are “the Synod itself performing the 
functions of the Synod” (Bylaw 4.1.1.1); and 
WHEREAS, “The district president shall represent the Synod in 
his district” (Bylaw 4.4.2); and 
WHEREAS, “A president shall be elected from the clergy roster of 
the Synod by each district” (Bylaw 4.3.1); and 
WHEREAS, “A visitation circuit is a network of congregations 
that ‘walks together’ for mutual care, support, advice, study, 
ecclesiastical encouragement, service, coordination, resources, and 
counsel—all for the sake of greater congregational participation in 
God’s mission” (Bylaw 5.1.1); and 
W
HEREAS, Districts “establish visitation circuits according to 
geographical criteria” (Bylaw 5.1.2); and 
WHEREAS, “Each circuit visitor shall assist the district president 
within the circuit” (Bylaw 5.2.3); moreover, “[the circuit visitor] 
shall serve under the direction of and be accountable to the district 
president and shall serve as his spokesman when so authorized and 
directed and shall assist him in doctrinal and spiritual supervision” 
(Bylaw 5.2.3 [a]); and 
W
HEREAS, “The circuit visitor shall hold his position by virtue 
of his selection by the circuit forum and ratification by the district 
convention” (Bylaw 5.2.2); and 
WHEREAS, “The [Synod] vice -presidents shall be elected 
advisors of the President and, upon the President’s request or as 
provided by the Synod, shall assist him in discharging his 
responsibilities or represent him” (Bylaw 3.3.2); and 
WHEREAS, The filling of a vacancy in a regional vice-presidency 
is only made “in consultation with the district presidents within that 
region” (Bylaw 3.3.2.4); and 
W
HEREAS, Five Synod vice -presidents are designated “regional 
vice-presidents” (Bylaw 3.3.2.3); and 
WHEREAS, Selection by regional groupings is deemed 
appropriate for circuit visitors and district presidents, each of whom 
serve under the direction of another, who is elected by a broader 
grouping; and 
WHEREAS, Circuit visitors are selected in their regional grouping 
and ratified by the district in convention; therefore be it 
Resolved, That a task force be established consisting of 
representatives from the Council of Presidents (COP), the 
2026 Convention Workbook
480 STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION