Convention Workbook

Report from Mr. Troy Norton,
Chairman Committee on Constitutions
Each district is required by the Synod Bylaws
to have a Committee on Constitutions. (Bylaw
2.2.1.b&c, 2.4.1.a&b) The Pacific Southwest
District Committee on Constitutions has the
responsibility and authority to review all new
and revised constitutions of the congregations
and auxiliary organizations of the district.
The Committee has to assure the district
Board of Directors that these constitutions
and bylaws are in accordance with the
Church’s doctrine and with the Synodical
Constitution and Bylaws. The Committee is
also tasked with suggesting improvements in
constitutions and bylaws that will better serve
the administration of their affairs.
(PSD Bylaw 8.1)
During this triennium, the committee has
fulfilled these requirements and continues to
work with the churches in our district. The
committee’s goal is to help congregations
adopt governance that can free them up to
further the mission of the Church. To that
end the committee is working with
congregations even before they begin to revise
their documents. The committee can then
assist them in identifying what areas of their
governance are working well, and what may
need to be changed. This has led to a more
concise process, as the committee and
congregations work together as partners in
ministry. Since the vast majority of the
committee’s work is done via email and
phone, there is virtually no cost to the
District.
The committee keeps up to date with new
opinions from the Commission on
Constitutional Matters, and makes
adjustments to the review process or the
District Guidelines. It provides consultative
services to pastors and congregations,
regarding constitutions, forms of governance,
Committee on Constitutions
endowment committees and opinions on their
current documents.
The members of the committee consider it a
privilege to work with the congregations
throughout our district. We have enjoyed
working with you, and getting to know our
brothers and sisters in Christ. We want to
thank all those in the District office who have
been so helpful, President Stoterau for his
counsel and guidance and the Board of
Directors. We also want to thank those
congregations that were so understanding
while we dealt with the loss of Pastor John
Sauer, our initial chairman.
Below is a list of all the actions that this
committee has taken from July 2009, till
March 2012.
Constitutions approved by the Committee on
Constitutions and subsequently ratified by the
District Board of Directors:
Bethel, Buena Park, CA
Christ, Costa Mesa, CA
Crown of Life, Sun City, AZ
Faith Community, Las Vegas, NV
First Lutheran, Van Nuys, CA
Friends In Christ, Fullerton, CA
Grace, San Diego, CA
Hosanna, Mesa, AZ
Lift High The Cross, Alpine, CA
Light of Christ, Irvine, CA
Living Water, Buckeye, AZ
Lutheran High School Association of
Southern California
Hedhane-Alem Ethiopian, Anaheim, CA
Mesquite Lutheran, Mesquite, NV
Mount Olive, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
One Faith Korean, Irvine, CA
Prince Of Peace, Anaheim, CA
Ramona, Ramona, CA
Redeemer, Wickenburg, AZ
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