Final report of the Ad Hoc Commission
From the office of President Mark Schroeder
The Final Report and Recommendations of the Ad Hoc Commission is now available online. The report will also be published in the Book of Reports and Memorials and will be presented to the synod convention in July.
The commission has been working on its report for 18 months. A preliminary report was submitted to the district conventions last summer. The commission considered feedback from the districts and made a number of changes to its final report.
Along with the adoption of the budget for the next two years, the report of the Ad Hoc Commission will be a major item of business at the convention. Sections of the report have been assigned to six convention floor committees for study and reaction.
The assignment of the commission was to review all areas of the synod's work and to bring recommendations to improve the way in which the synod carries out its mission. Its report begins with a lengthy preamble outlining the nature of the synod's mission and purpose.
The report is divided into nine sections, each addressing a different aspect of the synod's work. Each section contains endorsements of actions already taken in various areas, as well as recommendations for addressing specific issues.
The report contains approximately 80 separate recommendations. Some of the more significant recommendations or proposals are:
- The Synodical Council would be asked to develop a comprehensive policy governing the establishment, use, and number of special funds.
- In an effort to foster spiritual health, several new districts would be created from the five largest districts. The change would enable better spiritual care from district presidents by reducing the size of circuits to no more than eight congregations. Since this proposal would require a great deal of study, the commission recommends that a complete redistricting proposal be brought to the 2011 convention.
- The commission recommends placing the ministries now a part of Parish Services under the oversight of the Conference of Presidents so that they can be more fully utilized in serving congregations. Since the these ministries would report to the Conference of Presidents, the report recommends that the Parish Services board and the position of Parish Services administrator be eliminated and the overall number of commissions be reduced.
- To encourage a commitment to excellence in our called workers, the commission recommends that a greater number of merit-based scholarships be offered at Martin Luther College; that study fellowships and directed study programs be instituted at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary; that a sabbatical program for seminary professors be reestablished; and that a comprehensive and flexible program for continuing education for called workers be developed over the next two years and presented to the 2011 convention.
- The commission recommends that a four-year cycle of doctrinal studies be carried out in districts, conferences, and circuits. Suggested topics for these studies include the efficacy of the means of grace, a proper understanding of Christian vocation, care of souls, and the sacramental life.
- The commission recommends a limited restructuring of the Synodical Council, replacing the chairmen of the four areas of ministry with four at-large members (three pastors and one teacher) elected by the synod convention. The purpose of this recommendation is to increase grass-roots representation and to avoid having members of the Synodical Council involved in decisions that govern the areas in which they serve.
- Recognizing the increasing costs of ministerial education, the commission is recommending increased efforts to provide scholarship assistance and/or reduced tuition rates for those preparing for the public ministry.
We encourage all members of the synod to become familiar with this important report.
Serving in Christ,
Mark Schroeder
Filed Under: Ad Hoc Commission, Synod Convention
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