# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S201
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

9. STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
(a) Selection of district advisory delegates to
conventions of the Synod shall be made by the respective
groups meeting at the call of the district secretary either
during the district convention or at official district
conferences of ordained and/or commissioned ministers
or via electronic means according to Board of Directors
policy (Bylaw 1.5.3).

Action: Adopted (4)
Without discussion, the resolution was adopted [Yes: 926; No:
28].

To Amend Bylaw 3.12.2.3
to Allow District Presidents Access
to Congregational Registration Status
in the Presidential Vote
RESOLUTION 9-16
Overture L9-48 (TB, 40)

WHEREAS, The election of the President of the Synod is
important for all members of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The Secretary of Synod is involved in that
process (Bylaw Section 3.12); and
WHEREAS, The district president represents the Synod in
his district (Bylaw 4.4.2); and
WHEREAS, It would be beneficial for district presidents to
encourage voter registration; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.12.2.3 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.12.2.3 The Secretary of the Synod shall compile and
maintain the voters list for the election of the President of
the Synod. This list and any of its parts shall not be
disseminated.
(a) This voters list shall include:
(1) the pastor of each member congregation or multicongregation parish
(2) a lay person from the congregation or parish
(b) The congregation shall present to the Secretary of
Synod 90 days prior to the election a proper credentials
form provided by the Secretary, signed by two of the
congregation’s officers. If a congregation or parish has
more than one pastor eligible to vote, the congregation
shall designate on the credentials form which pastor will
cast a vote on behalf of the congregation.
(c) If one or both delegates are unavailable,
congregations shall be provided opportunity to select
substitute voters up to a deadline designated by the
Secretary.
(d) The registration status of congregations shall be
made available to respective district presidents for the
sole purpose of their encouraging registration for greater
congregational participation. The registration status of
congregations shall not be further disseminated.
Resolutions

Action: Adopted (5)
After discussion, the question was called; this motion carried
[Yes: 766; No: 168]. The resolution was adopted [Yes: 534; No:
410].

To Study Voting Privilege in the LCMS
RESOLUTION 9-17
Overture 9-22 (CW, 501)

WHEREAS, The Synod celebrates the ministry
contributions of teachers, directors of Christian education,
directors of Christian outreach, directors of family life
ministry, directors of parish music, deaconesses, parish
assistants and certified lay ministers (directors of church
ministries) through their inclusion as ministers of
religion—commissioned; and
WHEREAS, The Synod highly values commissioned
ministers for their eagerness to serve the Lord and His
Church; and
WHEREAS, The Synod recognizes the voices and wisdom
of our commissioned ministers as gifts from the Lord; and
WHEREAS, The Synod appreciates and gives thanks to
God for the unique vocations of ordained ministers,
commissioned ministers and lay people alike; and
WHEREAS, Historically, the structure of the Synod is
based on the franchise belonging to the Pfarrgemeinde,
maintaining a balance of clergy and lay voting; and
WHEREAS, The current structure of the Synod does not
allow for a third category of voting delegates at district and
Synod conventions; and
WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers from across the
Synod seek to use their gifts and serve the Church in the
fullest way possible; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Commission on Constitutional
Matters (CCM) in conjunction with the Council of
Presidents (COP), including a number of commissioned
ministers chosen by the COP, prepare a report regarding
the historic and current voting privileges in Synod; and be
it further
Resolved, That this report be made available to the Synod
at least 18 months prior to the 2022 Synod convention.
Action: Adopted as read (7)
Res. 9-17 was read and introduced by the committee, removing
the first resolved (lines 20–21), which erroneously remained in
the draft. During discussion by the assembly, the orders of the day
were called; closure of debate carried [Yes: 727; No: 188]. Res. 917 was adopted as read [Yes: 669; No: 251].

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 201