To Eliminate Distinction between Electoral and Visitation Circuits and Communicant Membership Requirement of the Same

WHEREAS, Synod Bylaw 3.1.2 (a) states: “An electoral circuit shall consist either ofone or two adjacent visitation circuits, as shall be determined by the district board of directors on the basis of the following requirements: each pair of delegates shall represent from 7 to 20 member congregations, involving an aggregate confirmed membership ranging from 1,500 to 10,000”; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.1.2 (a) is the only place in the Synod Constitution or Bylaws where communicant membership is taken into account; and

WHEREAS, The Church is not to be measured by “communicant membership,” for wherever the Gospel is preached in its truth and purity and the Sacraments administered according to Christ’s command, there is Christ present and there is the Church, even if there are only two or three gathered together in Hisname(Augsburg Confession VIII; F. Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, III:409; Matt. 18:20); and

WHEREAS, All congregations, regardless of numbers of communicant members, share equally in the authority and power of the Church, that is, the Office of the Keys, and are the possessors of the priesthood and all church power, even if there are only two or three believers in them (Church and Ministry, Church Theses IV, VI, VII; Ministry/Office Thesis VII): “As visible congregations that still have the Word and the sacraments essentially according to God’s Word bear the name “church”because of the true invisible church of sincere believers that is found in them, so also they possess the power [authority] that Christ has given to His whole church, on account of the true invisible church hidden in them, even if there were only two or three [believers]” (idem, Church Thesis VII); and

WHEREAS, All congregations, regardless of number of communicant members, are equally members of Synod and district, equally bound by the Constitution and Bylawsof Synod and district, equally obligated to fulfill the requirements of Synod membership, equally asked to financially support the work of Synod and district, equally called upon to uphold the confessional position of the Synod, and equally entitled to the benefits of Synod membership, nor are there any communicant membership requirements stated for member congregations in Synod (Constitution Articles V–VII; Bylaws 1.3.1, 1.3.4, 1.3.4.1, 1.3.5, 2.1.1–2, 2.2.1, 2.3.1–2, 2.4.1, etc.); and

WHEREAS, All member congregations of Synod, regardless of number of communicant members, are considered voting members of Synod (Const. Art. V; Bylaw 1.2.1 [y]); and

WHEREAS, The requirement of at least 1,500 communicant members in an electoral circuit is inconsistent with our doctrine of the Church (see third whereas, above); and

WHEREAS, The requirement of at least 1,500 communicant members in an electoral circuit is becoming an increasing burden in many of our districts where, due to population and membership trends, electoral circuits of ever-increasing and burdensome geographic size are required, as is acknowledged in Bylaw 3.1.2.1;

WHEREAS, The increasing geographic distances required to form electoral circuits of at least 1,500 communicant members is becoming an obstacle to efficient communication within such circuit, especially with the expectation that electors visit the congregations of the electoral circuit both to determine the sentiments of the congregations (Bylaw 3.1.2.2 [a]) and to report individually to each congregation represented at convention (Bylaw

3.1.2.2 [d]), which could require significant time and travel; and

WHEREAS, Close personal and congregational relationships are formed within circuits that greatly promote the stated goals of Bylaw 5.1.1 and these relationships are disrupted whenever there are changes to the formation of the circuit; therefore be it

Resolved, That the distinction between electoral and visitation circuits be eliminated and the Bylaws be amended to reflect this change by eliminating the words “electoral” and “visitation” in reference to the circuit; and be it further

Resolved, That the communicant membership requirement for circuits be eliminated; and be it finally

Resolved, That the South Dakota District in convention submit this resolution to the 2023 Synod convention for action.