Life Together — District Convention Representation
With three district conventions down and 32 to go, delegate representation is a subject of considerable interest and conversation in the Synod. This blog provides an opportunity to address five frequently asked questions.
- Q: How has delegate representation changed from previous conventions? A: Actually, representation has not changed. Article V A of the Synod’s Constitution still determines delegate representation at district conventions: “At meetings of the districts of the Synod, every congregation or parish is entitled to two votes, one of which is to be cast by the pastor and the other by the lay delegate.”
- Q: Well, something has changed. Why must some congregations now share a lay delegate when they had not done so in the past? A: We are more now applying more consistently and uniformly the historical definition for a “parish” in our Synod: “Two or more congregations served by the same pastor.” With the assistance of our Rosters and Statistics Department, this definition is being painstakingly applied across the Synod to make certain that congregations are represented equally and fairly throughout our 35 districts.
- Q: If nothing has changed, why are some congregations that were previously regarding as ”permanently vacant” now regarded as part of a “parish”? A: The decision by the 2010 Synod convention that delegates to district conventions would also be the voters in the election of the President of the Synod prompted greater care in determining those situations to which “parish” is to be applied. A phrase from Bylaw 2.11.1 is pivotal: “regularly performing the duties of…an ordained minister.” Accordingly, a pastor providing regular Word and Sacrament ministry is being regarded as the congregation’s pastor for delegate representation purposes. If he is providing such regular ministry to two or more congregations, he is serving a multi-congregation parish.
- Q: Are there any exceptions to this rule? A: Yes. If a congregation is in the process of actively calling a pastor, it is regarded as truly “vacant” even though it is receiving regular word and sacrament ministry from a pastor. The above (#3) applies only to what were once regarded as “permanent vacancies.”
- Q: What about congregations that have been served by “emeritus” pastors? A: Congregations (or parishes) receiving regular word and sacrament ministry from a rostered pastor of the Synod deserve two delegate votes at their district conventions: a pastoral vote and a lay vote. The roster status of “emeritus” pastors (advisory and therefore non-voting) is being changed to “active” status when possible to reflect the fact that they are providing regular Word and Sacrament ministry to a congregation of the Synod. Such roster status change does not adversely affect retirement status or benefits. It does provide the congregation with its rightful privilege of two votes (pastoral and lay) at district conventions and in the election of the President of the Synod.
There are, of course, many other questions that arise while working through this process with our 35 districts and their conventions. You may wish to respond to this blog with such questions.
Ray Hartwig
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about 1 year ago
So, could I say something like: Pastor Herbert Hoeppelscheuser is serving as the active pastor of 3 congregations in one parish – Old St. Olaf’s at Connor Crossroads, Iowa; St. John at Taylorville, Iowa; and Alive in the Spirit at North Des Moines, Iowa. This is 3 congregations, meeting at 3 different locations, but served by 1 pastor.
But this is one parish which has been administratively named Bullard County Iowa, Parish #3A.
Now, here’s the part not so clear to me: One district vote for one pastor of each parish. Got that. (a pastor plus a congregation equals a parish, give or take 10 or 12 situational messy messes) So no pastors getting multiple votes because they serve 3 congregations, but instead, 1 pastor votes for the 1 parish served (Bullard County Parish, #3A).
Now, on the lay delegate side, do we stll get 3 votes from 3 congregations, or do we get just one vote from administrative parish Bullard County Iowa, #3A?
Or, more simply, will 2 or 4 delegates be traveling to the district convention in Pastor Hoeppelscheuser’s car?
Situation 1.) Pastor and 3 congregation delegates?
Sitution 2.) Pastor and 1 administrative parish delegate?
I do understand that the ancient meanings of these words indicates that a parochia is a geographic area, and that a congregatoin is a committed group of people.
So, by accident 3 congregations might fall into one parochia which is geographically a logical geographic unit (all of northwest Bullard County, Iowa.)
Or they might not be one logical geographic area, if the poor pastor serving all 3 congreagatons is driving his asp off to serve them all in the far corners of rural Bullard County, but not the big congregatons in the 2 cities in Bullard County.
Sounds like those with the GIS work are going to be having the most fun.
P.S. I am at home, wearing a fake beard. Wouldn’t think of going to a stoning without one.
about 1 year ago
The explanation for District Representation is well explained. I simply do not agree with it and have authored an Overture to our District Convention via the Circuit Forum to initiate a change.
Question: If multi-point parishes are considered one unit, why does the District seek a registration fee from each congregation that makes up the multi-point parish for District Pastors Conferences when only one pastor is attending the Conference? It would seem that if multi-point parishes are considered a single unit for District Representation, then they should also be considered a single unit when it comes time to register and pay fees for District Pastors Conferences.