# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S502
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

502

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

Ov. 9-23

To Propose Commissioned Ministers
as Voting Members
at LCMS District and Synod Conventions
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 through
their inclusion as ministers of religion—commissioned; and
WHEREAS, The Synod recognizes the voices and wisdom of our
commissioned ministers as gifts from the Lord; and
WHEREAS, The Synod Board of Directors is comprised of
ordained, lay, and commissioned ministers; and
WHEREAS, The boards of directors of the districts of Synod are
comprised of ordained, lay, and commissioned ministers; and
WHEREAS, The boards of regents of the various Concordia
colleges and universities are comprised of ordained, lay, and
commissioned ministers; and
WHEREAS, The board of regents of each of our seminaries is
comprised of ordained, lay, and commissioned ministers; and
WHEREAS, The various commissions, committees and boards of
Synod and districts are generally comprised of ordained, lay, and
commissioned ministers; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Pacific Southwest District in convention
memorialize the 67th Regular Convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (2019) to amend Constitution Article V
A–B as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

Article V Membership
…

A. Voting Members
All organized congregations that have joined the Synod hold voting
membership. At the meetings of the districts of the Synod every
congregation or parish is entitled to two up to three votes, one of which
is to be cast by the pastor, and the other one by the lay delegate and the
other by a commissioned minister. Congregations without a
commissioned minister may send a second lay or pastoral delegate. At
the meetings of the Synod a number of congregations shall form a group
which shall be represented by two voting delegates, one a pastor and
one a lay delegate and the third by a commissioned minister from one
of the congregations within this group (circuit). Groups (circuits)
without a commissioned minister may send an additional lay or pastoral
delegate.

B. Advisory Members
Advisory members only are the following:
1. Pastors whose congregations do not hold membership in the
Synod
2. Ministers not in charge of congregationsPastors who are not
called to Synod member congregations
3. Professors at the Synod’s educational institutions
4. Teachers of the Evangelical Lutheran ChurchCandidates for the
office of the ministry, for that of a teacher of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church, for director of Christian education, for director
of Christian outreach, for director of family life ministry, for
director of parish music, for deaconess, for parish assistant, or for
certified lay minister.

2019 Convention Workbook

5. Directors of Christian education
6. Directors of Christian outreach
7. Directors of family life ministry
8. Directors of parish music
9. Deaconesses
10.Parish assistants
11.Certified lay ministers
125. Candidates for the office of the ministry, for that of a teacher
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, for director of Christian
education, for director of Christian outreach, for director of
family life ministry, for director of parish music, for deaconess,
for certified lay minister or for parish assistant.

Pacific Southwest District
Ov. 9-24

To Amend Synod Bylaws 3.12.2.1 and 3.12.2.2
WHEREAS, Prior to the 2013 Synod convention, the slate for
President was the five individuals with the highest number of votes
in the nominating process who consented to serve if elected; and
WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.12.2.1 allows for only three candidates; and
WHEREAS, There is no possibility for a write-in vote, or
nominations from the floor; and
WHEREAS, Reintroducing a five-candidate slate would allow for
more diversity of candidates for Synod President; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.12.2.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.12.2.1
The candidates for the office of President shall be the
threefive ordained ministers who received the highest number of
votes in the nominating process and who consent to serve if elected.
The candidates for the office of First Vice-President shall be the 20
ordained ministers receiving the highest number of votes in the
nominating process. No opportunity shall be provided for additional
nominations.
…

and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.12.2.2 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.12.2.2
The Secretary of the Synod shall publish in the Convention
Workbook and post on the Synod Website brief biographies of the
threefive candidates for President and the 20 candidates for First
Vice-President. This report shall contain such pertinent information
as age, residence, number of years in the Synod, present position,
offices previously held in a district or the Synod, year of ordination,
former pastorates, involvement in community, government, or
interchurch affairs, and any other specific experience and
qualification for the office. Opportunity to provide a personal
statement shall be offered to each candidate for publication in an
official periodical, this statement also to be posted on the Synod’s
Website.

and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of Synod adapt the timing of the
online voting to accommodate for the increased number of
candidates; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Southern Illinois District send this resolution
to the 2019 Synod convention as an overture.
Southern Illinois District