Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. pp. 284-287. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 4-02A
Canonical number: 4-02
Committee: Life Together
Source: Today's Business, Issue 2B
Printed pages: pp. 284-287
PDF pages: 32-35
Version: revised, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 2B, pp. 284-287
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 2B, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 284
- To Amend Bylaws to Refine Process for Creating Triennial Mission and Ministry Emphases
- RESOLUTION 4-02A
- Overture 4-12 (CW, 307–9)
- WHEREAS, The Synod in convention (2023 Res. 4- 02, “To Affirm and Continue Making Disciples for Life as
- Mission and Ministry Emphasis for 2023– 2026 Triennium”) instructed the Board for National Mission and the Board
- for International Mission to offer a recommendation to the 2026 Synod convention for refining the process for adopting
- triennial mission and ministry emphases; and
Page 285
- WHEREAS, The Bylaws require the Synod in convention to approve triennial mission and ministry emphases
- with a process that requires input from every circuit and district of the Synod (Bylaws 3.8.2.2, 3.8.3.2; 4.2.1 [b, d];
- 5.2.3 [g], 5.3.1 [a][5]); and
- WHEREAS, The mission boards of the Synod conducted extensive fraternal discussions with every district of
- the Synod over the past triennium about the work of the Synod and the triennial mission and ministry emphasis,
- including the procedure for developing triennial mission and ministry emphases; and
- WHEREAS, These fraternal discussions with the districts concluded that the current procedure for developing
- triennial mission and ministry emphases has proven to be cumbersome and unworkable; and
- WHEREAS, The Synod’s mission boards and the Council of Presidents are to assist the President of the Synod in
- establishing the goals for mission and ministry of the Synod (Bylaws 3.3.1.1.1 [a], 3.8.2, 3.8.3); therefore be it
- Resolved, That the two mission boards, in collaboration with the President of the Synod, and in continued fraternal
- dialogue with the districts, be charged with recommending to the Synod in convention triennial mission and ministry
- emphases for adoption; and be it further
- Resolved, That Bylaw 3.3.1.3 be amended as follows:
- PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
- Powers and Duties – Ecclesiastical and Administrative
- 3.3.1.3 The President shall have responsibilities and duties that are both ecclesiastical and administrative.
- …
- (q) He shall collaborate with the Board for National Mission and the Board for International Mission
- in assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphases.
- and be it further
- Resolved, That Bylaws 3.8.2 and 3.8.2.2 be amended as follows:
- PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
- Board for National Mission
- 3.8.2 The Board for National Mission is charged with developing and determining policies for the coordination
- of and in support of district ministries which support congregations and schools (Bylaw 1.2.1 [ n]). These
- policies shall embrace and apply the mission and ministry emphases adopted by the national convention.
- Under the leadership of the President of the Synod, pursuant to Bylaw 3.3.1.1.1, the board shall assist in
- identifying the specific goals for the Office of National Mission. Policies determined by the board
- (implemented by staff) may include but not be limited to:
- …
- 3.8.2.2 The Board for National Mission shall, during the course of each triennium between national conventions
- of the Synod, work with the Board for International Mission to gather pertinent and sufficient information
- from the Synod’s members that will facilitate the boards’ assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness
- of the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphases, and shall, in collaboration with the President of
- the Synod, after fraternal dialogue with the districts, develop accordingly a joint overture to the national
- convention for beneficial amendments thereto. The boards shall also provide a joint report in advance of
- the Synod’s district conventions, offering ideas and guidance for proposing triennial mission and ministry
- emphases to the national convention.
- and be it further
- Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.3.2 be amended as follows:
- PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
- Board for International Mission
- …
- 3.8.3.2 The Board for International Mission shall, during the course of each triennium between national
- conventions of the Synod, work with the Board for National Mission to gather pertinent and sufficient
- information from the Synod’s members that will facilitate the boards’ assessment and evaluation of the
- effectiveness of the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphases, and shall, in collaboration with the
- President of the Synod, after fraternal dialogue with the districts, develop accordingly a joint overture to
Page 286
- the national convention for beneficial amendments thereto. The boards shall also provide a joint report in
- advance of the Synod’s district conventions, offering ideas and guidance for proposing triennial mission
- and ministry emphases to the national convention.
- and be it further
- Resolved, That Bylaw 4.2.1 be amended as follows:
- PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
- 4.2 District Conventions
- 4.2.1 Conventions of the districts shall afford opportunities for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the
- communication of vital information. They are the principal legislative assemblies, which amend the
- district’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, consider and take action on reports and overtures, and
- handle appropriate appeals.
- (a) The conventions of the districts shall be governed by the bylaws adopted by the Synod for its
- conventions, insofar as these may be applicable.
- (b) The district convention is the instrument to receive overtures (Bylaw 3.1.6.2), including overtures
- and recommendations for synodwide mission and ministry emphases submitted by member
- congregations and adopted by a circuit forum.
- (c) Following in-depth study and discussion, the district convention shall act on the overtures and
- may, as determined by the convention, submit overtures to the national convention.
- (d) The district convention shall, through delegate vote, forward to the national convention a list of
- two or three triennial mission and ministry emphases for consideration by the national convention.
- (eb) Each district may adopt other regulations, provided these are not contrary to the Constitution and
- Bylaws of the Synod.
- …
- and be it further
- Resolved, That Bylaw 5.2.3 be amended as follows:
- PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
- 5.2 Circuit Visitors
- …
- 5.2.3 Each circuit visitor shall assist the district president within the circuit.
- …
- (f) He shall seek to strengthen the spirit of cooperation among pastors, commissioned ministers, and
- congregations.
- (g) He shall assist in the development and attainment of Synod-wide mission and ministry emphases.
- (hg) He shall assist the district president, as requested, in promoting and obtaining unanimous
- participation by congregations in the submission of annual statistical reports.
- …
- and be it finally
- Resolved, That Bylaw section 5.3 be amended as follows:
- PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
- 5.3 Circuit Forums
- 5.3.1 The circuit forum is the group which aids the process of keeping congregations, particularly the lay leaders,
- commissioned ministers, and pastors, supportive of one another in their common confession and mutually
- active in developing programs for the good of member congregations, in considering and recommending
- new work, and in suggesting improvements for services and programming at the national and district levels
- and is encouraged to meet at least twice a year.
- (a) The circuit visitor shall endeavor to provide resources, opportunities, and assistance so God’s
- people can grow in their faith.
- (b) Among the functions which the circuit forum may perform are the following:
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- (1) To study the Scriptures and the Confessions in order to promote an evangelical spirit in
- our walking together.
- …
- (5) To serve as a setting to review and evaluate programs, plans, and long- range directions
- of the district and the Synod and thus participate in the triennial process of suggesting,
- developing, and attaining the Synod’s priorities and goals.
- …
- 5.3.4 The circuit forum may also participate in the triennial process of suggesting, developing, and attaining
- the Synod’s priorities and goals.
- 5.3.54 The circuit forum shall be qualified to submit overtures to national and district conventions.
