Well the LCMS needs a new policy. If the current one does not allow for congregational or even pastoral discipline by the DPs then I think it should change. Why can't the LCMS become a Church body that has a biblical form of governing. This is the weirdest thing about the LCMS. We have too many parishes to allow them all to be autonomous. Can you imagine the RCC being like this? It would be an absolute disaster!
Amen! Now I know it may not be my place to speak, yet giving a "bishop" unilateral power is a dangerous thing. Especially when one considers the concerns regarding some of the more liberal pastors already in the pulpit. What if enough of these pastors became bishops with the type of power that nordiclutheran is advocating? I fear that the LCMS would find itself in a situation that is quite similiar to what the ELCA is already in. I wouldn't be too quick to give the bishop that much power.
As I stated before, Bishops should not have unilateral power. They should however be able to exercise "Scriptural authority" regarding right teaching, and right practice. When we read the Epistles it is undeniable that the "first" Bishops and Pastors certainly did. St. Paul always seemed to be admonishing and reproving the Churches.
When controversy arose it was settled in Council, as it was for centuries until the doctrine of Papal infallibility. Vatican II functioned a lot like these early councils.
Bishops would be elected, as they are now, for a fixed term. Therefore they are under the authority of the Church (Congregations). Since it would be impractical to also elect Circuit Councilors this way, the present system could remain. While CC's meet at regular intervals, its not to often that the DP attends. There should be at least two district councils with the DP and the CC's every year. The DP would also be answerable to this council, as would be each of the CC's. I believe that it should also work in the same way with the Synod President, and the DP's.
When matters are pressing a "council" should be able to convene on relatively short notice. By doing this, it would show that the CC's support the DP. Likewise, when there are issues that are communicated to the Congregations (news letters) they should be not only from the DP but the CC's as well. This not only would show unity in doctrine and spirit, but would breed it as well.
An analogy of this type of system would be the "self regulating" professions. The one that I am most familiar with being a licenced Funeral Director in Ontario Canada is our Board of Funeral Services. In Canada self regulating professions have lobbied parliament, which creates and "Act" (law) which directs the board. We have an elected board of directors made up of our peers, as well as lay "unlicensed people". The peers are elected by the licenced members. Lay delegates are appointed by "the minister", but approved by the board. A registrar (who oversees the day to day function of the board) is "hired" by the board. Also hired by the board are the Inspectors who regularly visit all of the establishments (which must be licenced by the board) and inspect the premises, records (financial included), to assist with and ensure compliance with the Act. There is also a disciplinary committee elected by the board, from the board to enforce the Act. This committee (tribunal) hears complaints by both the industry and the public. It has power to impose penalties including the suspension and even revocation of licences of both individuals and establishments. Decisions of this committee can be appealed, first to the board, then the Superior Court of Ontario, and could eventually go as far as the Supreme Court of Canada, although they would likely refuse to hear the case.
Please don't dismiss this as a rant. I'v posted this as a hypothetical example of how the power of authority could be administered by our present Synodical structures, both in LCMS and LCC, with the Synods still remaining democratic and Scriptural in structure.
Mark
