wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Structure task force considers input

["LCMS e-News" <LCMSENEWS@lcms.org>]

> 	
>	
> 	
>	
>9.24.2009		
>	LCMS News	 	
> 	

>THE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod  	 	
>	

	

	September 24, 2009 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 79

District convention input added to task force report

Responses from delegates at the 2009 LCMS district conventions will be
used by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance to
further refine its proposals for restructure prior to completing its
final report, due in the Office of the President Oct. 15.

The document deals with relationships between congregations and
districts, including consideration of the number of districts;
relationships between congregations and the national Synod, including
the number of boards and commissions and national staff; congregational
representation at district and national conventions; and frequency and
function of district and national conventions.  The final report will be
presented to the 2010 Synod convention for action.

Following the election of convention delegates, Synod President Gerald
B. Kieschnick will host nine regional delegate caucuses to present the
report for discussion.  District presidents will inform their district's
respective delegates about the specific locations and times of the
caucus meetings they will attend.

>The dates and cities of the caucuses are:

>	
>*	Dec. 4-5 -- Denver

>	
>*	Dec. 11-12 -- Detroit

>	
>*	Jan. 8-9, 2010 -- Madison, Wis.

>	
>*	Jan. 15-16 -- Minneapolis

>	
>*	Jan. 22-23 -- Boston

>	
>*	Jan. 29-30 -- Newport Beach, Calif.

>	
>*	Feb. 5-6 -- Atlanta

>	
>*	Feb. 12-13 -- Dallas

>	
>*	Feb. 19-20 -- St. Louis

"The goal of the caucuses is to help the convention delegates gain an
understanding of the major proposals of the task force report," said
Pacific Southwest President Larry A. Stoterau, member of the task force
and chair of the floor committee on Synod Structure and Governance at
the convention.  "The meetings will also provide an opportunity for
delegates to ask questions and obtain clarification about the changes in
the report."

Following the caucuses, Stoterau says delegates will take the
information obtained back to their circuits for additional discussion
and dissemination.

After the report leaves the President's Office, it will be posted on the
task force's Web site at http://www.lcms.org/lcmsfuture.

The task force will be disbanded following its final report to the
President's Office. Stoterau said its members had many surprises during
its four years of work.  "I think one surprise was that we found a real
openness by the people of Synod to hear and listen to what we are trying
to do, even though there is some criticism of the proposals.  We found
great receptivity to our work."

Rev. Robert C. Greene, chairman of the task force, said he was surprised
to find as much support for the recommendations as evidenced by the
survey results.  "The task force was encouraged by the positive
reception of all within the Synod -- the laity, commissioned, clergy --
for the proposals," he said.  "When we identified areas of concern from
the survey or from individual notes sent to us, we looked at those and
carefully considered each in crafting the recommendations."

The results from the 7,500 surveys taken at district conventions are
posted on the task force Web site.  "We encourage everyone within the
Synod to go to the site and review these results," Greene said.

Stoterau gave members of the task force a grade of "A" for their
"diligence and patience in really hearing what the church is saying,"
and said that the final report will present to the church some "new and
exciting opportunities, if the church is ready."

The 64th Regular Convention of the Synod will be held July 10-17, 2010,
in Houston, under the theme "One People -- Forgiven."

>****************************************

If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release, contact
Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org
<mailto:joe.isenhower@lcms.org>  or (314) 996-1231, or Paula Schlueter
Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org <mailto:paula.ross@lcms.org>  or (314)
996-1230.

>****************************************

>	
> 	

This Edition of "LCMS News" e-News is provided
by:

Board for Communication Services, Division of News and Information

Contact Editor

<http://www.lcms.org/enews/contact_editor.asp?title=LCMS%20News&editori d
=6> 
	

This LCMS e-News message comes from a "Send Only" mailbox that
does not recognize replies. To reply to this message, please click on
"Contact Editor" above.

>_____

To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this Newsletter and many others,
please visit LCMS e-News <http://www.lcms.org/enews> .
Share this Newsletter <http://www.lcms.org/enews/forward.asp?m=8001
with a Friend. 	
MessageId=8001 UserId=10073

>_____

© 2002 - 2008 The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod  <http://www.lcms.org/
.
No reproduction without consent. All rights reserved.