To Amend Bylaw 4.2.2 to Grant Lay Vote to Every Congregation at District Conventions

Official Workbook overture source text

9-44 
To Amend Bylaw 4.2.2 to Grant Lay Vote  
to Every Congregation at District Conventions 
WHEREAS, The Synod Constitution Article V A deals with voting 
members of the Synod and states: “All organized congregations that 
have joined the Synod hold voting membership.” At the meetings 
of the districts of the Synod every congregation or parish is “entitled 
to two votes, one of which is to be cast by the pastor and the other 
by the lay delegate” (Const. Art. XII 10 A); and 
W
HEREAS, Multi-congregation parishes are presently 
represented by one voting pastoral delegate (if not vacant) and one 
voting lay delegate, plus an advisory lay delegate for each 
congregation that does not supply a voting delegate (Bylaw 3.1.2.1 
[c]); and 
WHEREAS, The emphasis of our polity on the representation of 
congregations is intrinsically connected to the scriptural and 
confessional understanding of a congregation’s bearing all the 
characteristics of the Church; and 
WHEREAS, Every individual congregation is a member of the 
Synod; and 
WHEREAS, Few, if any, district conventions have had an equal 
number of lay and clergy delegates present and has never resulted 
in a domination of either lay or clergy; and 
WHEREAS, All congregations are created equal: “Where two or 
three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matt . 
18:20); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give all organized 
congregations that hold membership in the Synod the opportunity 
to be represented by a lay delegate and a pastoral delegate at district 
conventions, noting that Bylaw 3.1.2.1 (c) allows such 
representation at circuit forums and regional caucuses; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 4.2.2 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
4.2 District Conventions 
… 
4.2.2 The delegates of a voting congregation or multi -
congregation parish to a district convention shall be accredited. 
…  
(d) Each member congregation of the Synod shall be entitled to 
representation at its district convention by one voting lay delegate 
elected and deputed by that congregation. Congregations served 
in multi-congregation parishes shall, in addition, be represented  
collectively by one voting pastoral delegate in accordance with 
Constitution Article XII 10 , so that every organized member 
congregation has its own lay vote at district conventions. 
Southeastern District 
Ov.