wfn.org | [LCMSNews] Delegates offer feedback

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>12.31.2009		
>	LCMS News	 	
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>THE LUTHERAN CHURCH Missouri Synod  	 	
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	December 31, 2009 .................... LCMSNews -- No. 111

Delegates offer feedback at regional gatherings

>By Paula Schlueter Ross

Two of the nine regional gatherings planned for LCMS convention
delegates already have taken place, and organizer-presenter Rev. Jon
Braunersreuther says that, so far, the events are doing just what
they're supposed to do: explain the current structure of the Synod and
the 21 proposals of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and
Governance, and find out what delegates think about the proposals.

"The objective here is to share the information, to make it clear to the
delegates, many of whom don't know how the Synod is structured.  And to
make it clear what the proposals are, allow them to ask questions, and
then, to get their feedback," said Braunersreuther, assistant to Synod
President Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick.  "We want to know what they think so
that the floor committee can take that information and use it to help
mold the resolutions that they'll put forward on the floor of the
convention."

Some 1,250 delegates are expected to take part in the convention, July
10-17 in Houston, spending the first two business days (July 11-12)
determining which of the task force's proposals -- fine-tuned and
presented as resolutions -- will best prepare The Lutheran
Church--Missouri Synod to carry out its mission in the years ahead.

"We need structure and governance that are flexible and forward-looking
-- receptive to new opportunities God is giving the Synod," Kieschnick
said in introductory comments at each of the regional gatherings.  "And
we need a system of structure and governance that can help us maximize
limited resources as faithful stewards, a need that has become even more
critical in the current economic climate of our nation."

Each of the pre-convention gatherings involves between 100 and 200
delegates.  "People can really participate because of the size -- it's
not intimidating," says Braunersreuther.

One delegate told him that he had read through the task force's report
"and didn't understand a thing" until he attended the pre-convention
gathering, which "made all the difference in the world."  The delegate
said he now understands the issues "so much more."

"So, that's a delegate who, if he had just come to Houston, would have
been in the dark and it would have been confusing," Braunersreuther
said.  "And now he'll come and he'll be prepared to make good decisions
about the proposals as they're put forward."

Rev. Dennis Lassanske, a pastoral delegate from the Michigan District,
attended the Dec. 11-12 regional meeting in Detroit.  (The first meeting
was held Dec. 4-5 in Denver.)  After reading the task force's report, he
says he is "convinced that the restructure of the Synod operation is
long overdue" and that the proposals offer "some insightful options."

"I better understand their thinking as a result of the pre-convention
meeting," Lassanske said via e-mail.  And, even though he realizes that
the restructuring process will be difficult, he says he is "hopeful that
delegates will be well-read and prepared to make supportive decisions
that will move the Synod forward on these structure issues."

Particularly helpful, he added, were the question-and-answer sessions,
which "gave great information for making a more complete evaluation of
the material and its historical context and impact."

Said Lassanske: "I am more hopeful today than before the meeting and
more determined to do my research and prepare for the convention this
summer."

Ron Jenkins, a lay delegate from the Indiana District, called the
Detroit gathering "very informative and helpful."

"I think it's always good to [re-examine] our Bylaws so we can
understand why we do things and not do it just because it has always
been done that way," he said.

Eva Fronk, an advisory delegate from the English District, said the
regional meeting she attended "made me very positive and hopeful for our
Synod.

"We are examining our present practices, evaluating our strengths and
weaknesses, and prayerfully considering 'which course is best for the
salvation of souls,' " Fronk said, quoting the Synod's first president,
Dr. C.F.W. Walther.

Even though the participants didn't agree on everything, the first two
delegate gatherings "went very, very well," according to
Braunersreuther.  "There was a wonderful spirit in the room at both of
those regional gatherings."

"People have been courteous and yet upfront about what their
disagreements are.  That's a good thing."

Everyone taking part in the meetings is being asked to complete a survey
about the task force proposals, explaining what they like and don't
like.  And, in table discussion groups, they are identifying the two or
three most important proposals for convention action.

After all the regional gatherings have ended, the results of the table
discussions will be tabulated.  That information, along with the written
survey responses, will be considered by Convention Floor Committee 8, on
Synod Structure and Governance, as it prepares the resolutions and
decides which proposals are most critical for the convention to address.

The remaining seven regional gatherings will take place in January and
February in Madison, Wis.; Minneapolis; Boston; Newport Beach, Calif.;
Atlanta; Dallas; and St. Louis.

Braunersreuther asks delegates who will be attending those meetings to
"read the report, keep an open mind, and come with your questions."

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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.

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