SITUATION
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod works according to a three-year cycle known as a triennium. The triennium is structured in such a way as to give circuits, districts, and synod as a whole the ability to convene either in a convocation or convention. Generally speaking, circuits do not often hold a convocation even though one year is set aside in the triennium for the circuits to organize one. District and synod conventions are held every triennium with the district convention taking place in the year that precedes the synod convention. Thus the triennium is supposed to function like this:

Year One: Circuit Convocation

Year Two: District Convention

Year Three: Synod Convention

The synod is structured this way because authority in the synod is historically understood as bottom up. Congregations hold the ultimate authority. Congregations individually and in consultation with circuits create overtures to be submitted at district and synod levels. Typically, business items like nominations or overtures go from a congregation, to a circuit, to a district convention, to the synod convention. 

Currently we are in Year Two: District Convention. In the run up to the district convention circuits must conduct forums in order to nominate and elect circuit visitors as well as consider any overtures they’d like to submit before the final submission deadline. It is also important that congregations consider who they’d like to nominate for various positions within district and synod. In our district, President Denninger is in his final term which necessitates an open election, meaning that there will be no incumbent, at the next district convention. As a congregation we have several responsibilities to consider and carry out including nominating our congregational delegate to the circuit forum and district convention. In the past these matters have been handled at a special or regularly scheduled voters’ meeting. In the current state of affairs such a meeting might not be possible but we are still bound to carry out our responsibilities. Circuit forums have been given the special dispensation to meet virtually. District and synod conventions will not be given the same dispensation. 

In an effort to carry out our responsibilities as a congregation while affording the congregation’s its right to exercise authority over these matters the following resolution to be voted on by the congregation is proposed.

RESOLUTION

The congregation delegates its authority to fulfill responsibilities related to circuit, district, and synod business to the council for the current triennium. These responsibilities include but are not limited to the nomination and/or election of: 1) our congregational delegate to circuit forums and district convention; 2) circuit visitors; and 3) college, seminary, district, or synod presidents, vice-presidents, regents, and other board positions; as well as the approval and/or submission of overtures to be submitted either to a circuit forum, district convention, or synod convention. The council must report any official action related to these matters to the congregation as they occur. 

BALLOT
In order to ensure a quorum your name will be required. If multiple people in your household need to submit the ballot, simply refresh your screen after each vote and the ballot should reappear. If it does not, contact Pastor Matt. Voting will remain open until August 28th.