To Develop Overture for Change in Regional Vice-President Selection

WHEREAS, The Synod utilizes entities within specific groupings to live out its life together as Synod in an orderly way for the benefit of the Body of Christ; and

WHEREAS, Districts are “the Synod itself performing the functions of the Synod” (Bylaw 4.1.1.1); and

WHEREAS, “The district president shall represent the Synod in his district” (Bylaw 4.4.2); and

WHEREAS, “A president shall be elected from the clergy roster of the Synod by each district” (Bylaw 4.3.1); and

WHEREAS, “A visitation circuit is a network of congregations that ‘walks together’ for mutual care, support, advice, study, ecclesiastical encouragement, service, coordination, resources, and counsel—all for the sake of greater congregational participation in God’s mission” (Bylaw 5.1.1); and

WHEREAS, Districts “establish visitation circuits according to geographical criteria” (Bylaw 5.1.2); and

WHEREAS, “Each circuit visitor shall assist the district president within the circuit” (Bylaw 5.2.3); moreover, “[the circuit visitor] shall serve under the direction of and be accountable to the district president and shall serve as his spokesman when so authorized and directed and shall assist him in doctrinal and spiritual supervision” (Bylaw 5.2.3 [a]); and

WHEREAS, “The circuit visitor shall hold his position by virtue of his selection by the circuit forum and ratification by the district convention” (Bylaw 5.2.2); and

WHEREAS, “The [Synod] vice-presidents shall be elected advisors of the President and, upon the President’s request or as provided by the Synod, shall assist him in discharging his responsibilities or represent him” (Bylaw 3.3.2); and

WHEREAS, The filling of a vacancy in a regional vice-presidency is only made “in consultation with the district presidents within that region” (Bylaw 3.3.2.4); and

WHEREAS, Five Synod vice-presidents are designated “regional vice-presidents” (Bylaw 3.3.2.3); and

WHEREAS, Selection by regional groupings is deemed appropriate for circuit visitors and district presidents, each of whom serve under the direction of another, who is elected by a broader grouping; and

WHEREAS, Circuit visitors are selected in their regional grouping and ratified by the district in convention; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Synod develop an overture to be submitted to the 2029 Synod convention that provides for the needed changes, so that the five regional vice-presidents would be selected by their respective regions and ratified by the 2032 Synod convention.