Bylaw 3.1.2.2 Voting delegates shall serve a three-year term beginning with the convention, shall function as advisory members of the circuit forum, shall serve as resource persons in the circuit, and shall assist in the dissemination and implementation of resolutions of the Synod in the circuit.
This is vague. I'm thinking of asking my congregation or pastor to ask for an interpretation from the Commission on Constitutional Matters:
What is an advisory member of the circuit forum? (Last time around I was never contacted a single time by our circuit counselor during the trienium)
What is a resource person? (How does one do this? How does one accumulate information as a resource person?)
How does one assist in the dissemination and implementation of resolutions of the Synod in the circuit? (Synod is voluntary, so implementation means...?)
I'm not on the CCM, but I am a bit of a wonk when it comes to Synodical things.
ReplyDelete"Advisory member of the Circuit Forum" means that by virtue of your position as Synodical Convention Delegate, you have voice (but no vote) at the meeting of the congregations in the circuit. Those who have voice and vote are the pastor and the lay delegate elected from each. The Circuit Forum is required to meet at least twice during the triennium - once prior to the District Convention to select a Circuit Counselor, once to elect lay and pastoral delegates to the Synodical Convention. Most Circuit Fora are rather informal, so usually anyone who shows up can offer input, but this provision guarantees that the lay delegate to the Synodical Convention can speak (presumably to issues and discussions that happened at the Convention itself).
"Serve as resource persons in the circuit" - You got me on that one. This is new language that the BRTFSSG thought was important. I'm pretty sure it simply means that you will make yourself available to the congregations of the Circuit if they should have any questions about what happened at the Convention.
"Assist in dissemination and implementation" - Lay delegates provide reports to the congregations of the Circuit what happened at Convention (our Lay Delegate has usually provided a spreadsheet of resolutions voted on, what his vote was in representation of us, and why he voted that particular way). As far as the question about implementation - yes, Synod is voluntary, but in becoming a member of Synod, you voluntary commit yourself to certain actions, including abiding by the resolutions of Synod unless you find them in error (and follow the procedures for correcting that error) or the resolution doesn't apply to your situation (the language of the Constitution is "not expedient"). AAA is voluntary, but that doesn't make the implementation of paying your dues optional. Likewise, with Synod, when congregations/rostered individuals volunteer for membership, they also volunteer to abide by our common commitments (Constitution, Bylaws and Resolutions of Synod).
Thank you, Pr. Mohr.
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