# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S42
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

42

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

continuing education for hearing facilitators and already-rostered
reconcilers.

Other Roles Reported Elsewhere
The Secretary of the Synod serves ex officio on the BOD of the
Synod and the Concordia Historical Institute Board of Governors,
as Secretary of both the CCM and the Commission on Handbook.
He regularly assists the COP and is involved in many task forces
and other efforts (including particularly, this triennium, the 2019
Res. 7-03 work on university governance and the Res. 9-17 work
on advisory delegates); as these are reported on elsewhere and by
others, these activities are not reported here.

Conclusion
It has been a very challenging but also very rewarding fouryear “triennium,” trying to “do what comes to hand and do it with
vigor” (Eccl. 9:10). Much of the work is less tangible, the office attempting to serve as a nexus of communication to hold a sometimes
fractured Synod together and to assure that necessary services are

2023 Convention Workbook

provided reliably, objectively, and with uniform expectations to all
the Synod’s districts and members. We are truly stronger together
but maintaining “life together” in reality takes real and considerable administrative and personal work.
The office rejoiced with Mrs. Pam Weeke, who retired after thirteen years of tireless and faithful service to the Office of the Secretary and many more to the Synod in general. We welcomed Mrs.
Amy Schaeffer, formerly in the Office of International Mission, to
carry on in her stead.
In Fiscal Year 2023, including the commissions and dispute resolution and expulsion, the staff of Rosters, Statistics, and Research
Services, and all overhead, the office cost each parish in the Synod
about $280, on which we earnestly attempt to deliver value, and
to do so all the more effectively in years to come. We are grateful
for the Synod’s investment in this work. We often find ourselves
taxed beyond capacity but with no shortage of opportunities for
new and improved work with significant promise. This is a source
of perpetual challenge but also of eagerness and excitement. The