# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S503
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
Ov. 9-25

To Amend Bylaw 3.12.2.6 Revising the Process of
Election for the Office of the First Vice-President
WHEREAS, The Church has been provided by God with many
men who are equipped to serve in the various administrative
positions of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, A diversity of individuals would be helpful in
providing God-pleasing leadership of Synod; and
WHEREAS, It is helpful to have candidates considered for the
office of First Vice-President of Synod who are the most broadly
known across the entirety of Synod to be most capable and well
respected; and
WHEREAS, The Synod already limits the election ballot for the
office of President of Synod to three ordained ministers who
received the highest number of votes in the nominating process and
who have consented to serve if elected; therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod Bylaw 3.12.2.6 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Elections of President and First Vice-President
3.12.2.6
Prior to all other elections, the convention shall elect the
First Vice-President.
(a) The President-elect shall select from the list of 20 nominees
for the Office of First Vice-President five nominees who have
consented to serve if elected, at least two three of whom shall be
taken from the top five four nominees.
(b) Balloting will proceed with the candidate receiving the
smallest number of votes eliminated from consideration until one
candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, who shall be
declared elected.

Circuit 11
Michigan District

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.
3.12.2.6
Prior to all other elections, the convention shall elect the
First Vice-President.
(a) The President-elect shall select from the list of 20 nominees
for the Office of First Vice-President five nominees who have
consented to serve if elected, at least two of whom shall be taken
from the top five nominees.
(b) Balloting will proceed with the candidate receiving the
smallest number of votes eliminated from consideration until one
candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, who shall be
declared elected.

Atonement, Glendale, AZ; Grace, Lexington, MO
Ov. 9-27

To Amend Bylaw 3.12.2.7 (d)
to Permit Floor Nominations
in Election of Regional Vice-Presidents
WHEREAS, it is beneficial that opportunity be given to the Synod
as a whole to participate in the selection of regional vice-presidents;
therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.12.2.7 (d) be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.12.2.7
After the results of the first-vice-presidential election have
been announced, the convention shall elect five regional vicepresidents according to the following nominations and elections
process.
…
(d) No oOpportunity shall be provided for additional
nominations from the floor of the convention.
…

Atonement, Glendale, AZ; Grace, Lexington, MO

Ov. 9-26

To Amend the Procedures
for the Election of First Vice-President
WHEREAS, The First Vice-President of the Synod is elected by
the Synod convention; and
WHEREAS, Through a procedure of nominations and elections,
the Synod meeting in convention should determine the man to fill
this office; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Bylaws of the Synod be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.12.2.1
The candidates for the office of President shall be the three
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 five
ordained ministers receiving the highest number of votes in the
nominating process who have consented to serve if elected. No
opportunity shall be provided for additional nominations at the
convention for the office of First Vice-President.
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
three candidates for President and the 20 five 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

503

Ov. 9-28

To Address Residency Requirements
for District Regional Positions
WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.12.1 (b) notes “For purposes of regional
elections, individuals will be considered a part of the geographical
region in which they reside”; and
WHEREAS, This requirement has also been applied to regional
elections on the district level (Bylaw 4.3.1 and 4.3.3); and
WHEREAS, On the district level, there are members and pastors
who might live across the state line or regional line from where their
congregation is located; and
WHEREAS, This eliminates otherwise qualified candidates; and
WHEREAS, The requirement of membership in a congregation of
the region is more feasible on the district level; therefore be it
Resolved, That district regional positions be exempt from this
residency requirement; and be it further
Resolved, That congregational membership in a region be
applied at the district level; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 4.3 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

2019 Convention Workbook