# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S390
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

390

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

Whereas, Close personal and congregational relationships
are formed within circuits that greatly promote the stated goals of
Bylaw 5.1.1, and these relationships are disrupted whenever there
are changes to the formation of the circuit; and
Whereas, These personal and congregational relationships
often extend to the auxiliaries of Synod (LWML and ILLL) operating within the circuits, which relationships are also disrupted when
there are changes to the formation of circuits; and
Whereas, The LCMS Bylaws allow all congregations/parishes,
regardless of the number of confirmed members, equal voice and
vote in the nomination and election of the LCMS President and vicepresidents (Bylaws 3.12.2 [b] and 3.12.2.7 [a]); and
Whereas, Bylaw 3.1.2 (b) allows the Synod President to make
exceptions to the requirements of electoral circuits, which has been
done in the past and caused much turmoil and dissent within Synod;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the distinction between electoral and visitation circuits be eliminated and the Bylaws be amended to reflect this change;
and be it further
Resolved, That the confirmed membership requirements for circuits be eliminated; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.2 be amended as follows: Voting delegates shall consist of one pastor and one layman from each electoral
circuit; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaws 3.1.2 (a) and (b) be eliminated; and be it
finally
Resolved, That a new Bylaw 5.1.3 be added which shall read: A
circuit shall consist of 7 to 20 congregations and at least 7 pastors,
except during pastoral vacancy in any member congregation(s).
St. Peters, Wentworth, SD; Zion, White, SD; First English,
Aurora, SD; Trinity, Spencer, SD; St. Martin’s, Alexandria,
SD; West Point Circuit, Nebraska District
11-13

To Create Term Limits for Synod Elected Officers
Whereas, The Synod has been served by the multiple gifts and
abilities of those who serve it; and
Whereas, Term limits provide opportunity for fresh perspectives
and use of different gifts and abilities; and
Whereas, There is no uniformity of practice in regard to term
limits for the various elected offices in the districts of the Synod and
those offices of the Synod elected or appointed when Synod is in convention; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Nebraska District memorialize the LCMS to
limit the terms of the officers (President, First Vice-President, regional
vice-presidents, and Secretary) elected by the Synod in convention to
not exceed a total of 12 years; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended to read:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

(da) If the President, First Vice-President, regional vice-presidents, or
Secretary are not reelected or do not stand for reelection, they shall
continue to receive full salary for a period of six (6) months while
rendering transitional service.
(eb) Such service and salary will cease at the time such person accepts
another full-time position.
(fc) Before his successor assumes office, the outgoing President shall
use the intervening time to settle the affairs of his administration and
assist the newly elected President as requested to become acquainted
with the responsibilities of the office.

Nebraska District
11-14

To Determine How Midterm Vacancies of Regional
Vice-President Positions Are Filled
Whereas, The nomination and election of the regional vice-presidents is a regional action; and
Whereas, All candidates on the ballot have been thoroughly vetted; and
Whereas, It is understandable that life changes and the call to a
new ministry outside of the region can create a vacancy in a regional
position; therefore be it
Resolved, That in the event that a regional vice-president position
becomes vacant, the Synod President shall appoint as a replacement
the candidate for that regional vice-president position who received
the next greatest number of votes from the delegates of that region at
the last Synod convention. If that man is unable or unwilling to serve,
the President shall appoint the candidate with the next greatest number
of votes, and so on down the line until a regional vice-president has
been appointed. If none of the candidates from the last Synod convention are able or willing to serve, the Synod President shall appoint as
vice-president the minister of religion—ordained from the clergy roster of the Synod with residence in the region who is recommended by
a majority of the district presidents within the region; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod’s Bylaws be amended to reflect such
a change.
Board of Directors
Southeastern District
11-15

To Alter Method of Electing Synod
Regional Vice-Presidents
Whereas, Synod Bylaw 3.12.2.7 states:
After the results of the first-vice-presidential election have been announced, the convention shall elect five regional vice-presidents according to the following nominations and elections process. (This shall also
be the process used for all other regional elections.)

3.2.4.1 Those holding theThe offices of President, First Vice-President, regional vice-presidents, and Secretary shall be ineligible for reelection to the same office after serving a total of four successive threeyear elected termswithout limitation as to reelection.

(a) Each member congregation of a region (including any non-geographic-district congregations in that region) shall have been given
opportunity to nominate two ministers of religion—ordained from
the clergy roster of the Synod with residence in its designated region
as candidates for regional vice-president.

(a) Such persons may become eligible again for election to the same
office after an interval of three or more years.

(b) The Secretary of the Synod shall receive such nominations (signed
by the president and secretary of the nominating congregation).

(b) More than one-half of a term shall be regarded as a full term under
limited tenure rules.

(c) The names of the five ministers of religion—ordained residing within the boundaries of each geographic region who receive the most
nominating votes shall form the slate from which the Synod convention shall select by majority vote each regional vice-president.

(c) Any officer who is ineligible for reelection may be elected or appointed to another position.

2016 Convention Workbook