News & Notes

CPH and Interim CPH President Support President Kieschnick’s Vision for the LCMS

We were pleased to see that Interim CPH President, Paul McCain, in a letter to pastors, has expressed his personal support for President Kieschnick’s One Mission, One Message, One People, Ablaze!  In the letter McCain writes, “We march together under the banner of genuine Lutheranism, united in heart and purpose by the precious Confessions in the book of Concord….Let us continue to raise high the banner of authentic Lutheranism! Raise it for all to see! The pure, free, and full Gospel of salvation is what historic, authentic, and genuine Lutheranism stands for.” As McCain states, “We march together” that One Mission. “The Gospel of salvation” is our One Message. “United in heart and purpose” we are One People. We are thankful to hear that the CPH Board of Directors has also pledged full support for Ablaze!

What are the circuit exceptions and how do they affect the convention?

Every three years, the LCMS meets in convention. The convention elects officers and makes decisions about doctrine and the ministries of the church. Circuits are groups of congregations grouped in geographical regions. According to the LCMS Handbook, circuits must have 7-20 congregations and 1,500 – 10,000 communicant members. Each circuit sends a pastor and a layperson to the convention as voting delegates.

What happens if a circuit is too small, either in number of congregations or communicants? What happens if  it is too large? When circuits are larger than this definition, they often split into two circuits. This allows all people and all congregations to have representation at the Synod convention in a constantly proportionate manner. But, if a circuit is too small, the district Board of Directors is allowed to make a request for an exception. For example, suppose a circuit just had a congregation close leaving only six congregations but 2,000 members. If that District Board of Directors asks for an exception, and if the exception is granted by the LCMS president, then they will still have two voting delegates.

For many years, the LCMS President has trusted the District Boards of Directors to make the best choices possible. While he thoroughly reviews the requests, he is most likely to grant them based upon the recommendation of the District.  Some people have alleged that President Kieschnick approved more exceptions in order to assure his election to office. This is a false allegation. All LCMS presidents have granted nearly all exception requests for all but one convention (2001).   It is time for all of us to join as One People, in the One Mission and One Message of Ablaze!