To Amend Constitution Article XII 10 a to Provide Option of Appointing Ordained or Commissioned Minister as District Convention Rostered Voting Delegate

Preamble The Synod’s ministers of religion—commissioned, such as deaconesses, teachers, directors of Christian education (DCEs), and other ministers, fulfill critical leadership and ministerial roles within the church. While not ordained, their service and experience is unique and vital to the schools, congregations, recognized service organizations (RSOs), and communities that the Synod serves. This overture proposes that all roster ed workers be eligible to serve as the non-laity voting delegate to district convention under Constitution Article XII 10 a. The proposed constitutional amendment does not cause an imbalance between roster ed church worker delegates and lay delegates.

WHEREAS, Deaconesses, teachers, DCEs, and other commissioned ministers provide essential spiritual, educational, and administrative leadership in Synod schools, congregations, RSOs, and communities; and

WHEREAS, The current voting structure excludes commissioned ministers from ever serving as delegates, making them essentially voiceless members of the Synod, yet their ministry and their life in the church are impacted by decisions made in convention; and

WHEREAS, The Synod values the unique contributions of all those called to service in the church and wishes to ensure their representation in a way that respects the unique capacities of roster ed workers while preserving the balance of roster ed church workers and laity; therefore be it

Resolved, That Const. Art. XII 10 a be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Article XII Districts of the Synod and Their Regulation … 10.The meetings of the districts of the Synod are composed of the following: a. Voting Delegates Every member congregation or multi-congregation parish is entitled to two votes, one of which is to be cast by its pastor or commissioned minister and the other by the lay delegate elected and deputed by the congregation or parish. …

and be it further

Resolved, That other Synod Constitution articles or bylaws which pertain to this change also be updated to reflect this new voting delegate composition.