Dear Greg,
You may have been made aware of the recent "white paper" sent out by Barney and his friends at the Purple Palace entitled, "Walking Together - The LCMS Future." All congregations were sent a copy of these proposals. While they are not law yet, I have little doubt that much of the document will become law in time - once the right people are directed on how they should vote when given the opportunity. Below are some of the document's highlights (better known as the means for giving greater power to Pope Jerry):
1. Creating new "executive staff" positions in each district office - executives who are "to report directly to the president of the Synod."
2. "Allow congregations with more than 750 confirmed members to be represented by two additional delegates [to synodical conventions] for each additional unit of 750 confirmed members or majority thereof."
3. "Determine each district' number of delegates according to that district's exact percentage of the total number of congregations and communicants in Synod."
4. When referring to the proceedings of a national convention, one of the regular items of business is listed as, "The Divine Call of the president, vice presidents, and secretary." (At least the Roman Pope is still elected!)
5. That conventions will take turns being "focused" and "general." Focused conventions will have their agendas determined by the Synodical President and District Presidents alone. (And you thought Vladimir Putin was a powerful dictator.)
6. "Doctrinal resolutions of special significance require a two-thirds vote for adoption." (Women's ordination, anyone?)
7. Allowing circuits to be formed by various means, including by size of congregation, affinity group, or by any other method deemed most appropriate..." (What is an "affinity group?")
8. Increasing the number of districts to 100 or reducing the number of districts to 20. (There are 35 districts currently.)
Also, there is a proposal to change the name of the synod "to better reflect who we are today."
The Swede needs a drink...
