# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S405
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
Whereas, The above-named Bylaws could place our district president or a member of the district in the position of having to choose
between God’s Word and the laws of man; and
Whereas, According to Holy Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions, the conscience of a Christian should always be bound
by the Word of God before all things; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Wyoming District memorialize the 2016 LCMS
convention to amend the above-named Bylaws so as to be in accordance with the Word of God; and be it further
Resolved, That, should a conflict arise between those Bylaws and
the Word of God, the Wyoming District will expect and encourage its
officers and all agents of the church to act in obedience to the Word of
God, regardless of the consequences vis-à-vis Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Wyoming District secretary inform the
President of the Synod and the CTCR of this action, in accordance
with Bylaws 3.3.1.1.1 and 1.8.2.
Wyoming District
11-50

COMMISSION ON HANDBOOK
2016 LCMS Convention
OMNIBUS OVERTURE #3 (Conventions)
The Commission on Handbook recognizes that its proposed overtures to the 2016 convention can be grouped together according to
same-subject matter to facilitate the work of the floor committee. This
“omnibus” overture groups the commission’s bylaw change proposals
regarding conventions into a single overture for the floor committee’s convenience.
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A. To Designate Chief Administrative Officer
as Convention Manager
Rationale
Current Bylaw 3.1.9 (a) speaks of the “Director of General
Services” as “convention manager,” although the position of
Director of General Services no longer exists. The convention position of Director of General Services and its related responsibilities
have already been under the day-to-day supervision of the Chief
Administrative Officer in preparation for the 2016 convention. The
Commission on Handbook proposes the following change to Bylaw
3.1.9 (a) for consideration by the 2016 LCMS convention.

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B. To Clarify District Responsibilities
re Convention Publications Distribution
Rationale

Districts are required by Synod Bylaw 4.2.1 (a) to be “governed by
the bylaws adopted by the Synod for its conventions, insofar as these
may be applicable.” Synod Bylaws 3.1.8 (b), 3.1.10.1, and 3.1.10.1
(a) require printed copies of convention workbooks and proceedings
to be mailed to bylaw-assigned recipients.
Districts have indicated that the requirement to mail convention
workbooks and proceedings impose obligations on districts that often
are needlessly expensive, wasteful, and unneeded. Electronic means
of communication are now widely available and used by the Synod
in multiple other contexts.
Proposed Action

Therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention adopt the following
additional paragraph to Bylaw 4.2.1:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
4.2 District Conventions
4.2.1 Conventions of the districts shall afford opportunities for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of vital
information. They are the principal legislative assemblies, which amend
the district’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, consider and take
action on reports and overtures, and handle appropriate appeals.
…
(g) Districts may, at their own discretion, provide their convention workbooks and proceedings to each district congregation, delegate and
alternate, officer, and board, commission, and council member by
a means of electronic communication, provided that any designated
recipient shall be provided a printed copy of the workbook and proceedings upon request.

Commission on Handbook
11-51

COMMISSION ON HANDBOOK
2016 LCMS Convention
OMNIBUS OVERTURE #4
(District Administration)

Proposed Action
Therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.9 (a) be amended to identify the Synod’s
Director of General Services as the convention manager, as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Convention Order

The Commission on Handbook recognizes that its proposed overtures to the 2016 convention can be grouped together according to
same-subject matter to facilitate the work of the floor committee. This
“omnibus” overture groups the commission’s bylaw change proposals regarding district administration into a single overture for the
floor committee’s convenience.

3.1.9 The President shall be responsible for the overall organization
and operations of the conventions of the Synod.
(a) As the Director of General Services, within the assigned general
meeting and conference planning function, The Chief Administrative Officer The Chief Administrative Officer or the Chief Administrative Officer’s designee shall serve as the convention manager.
He shall be responsible to the President for making arrangements
for and directing the externals of the convention and other major
assemblies of the synod and may assist with planning and arranging
for district conventions.

405

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A. To Strengthen Bylaw Requirements
for Submission of Statistical Information

Rationale
With the active cooperation of the Council of Presidents, progress has been made by the Office of the Secretary and the Department
of Rosters, Statistics, and Research toward obtaining 100 percent
2016 Convention Workbook