# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S375
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
Resolved, That bylaw provisions shall be determined for
adoption by the 2023 convention for the implementation of election
cycles, terms of office, staggering of terms, and all necessary issues
which may arise prior to the 2027 convention; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook be charged with
the responsibility to update and amend all additional bylaws to bring
them into conformity with this four-year cycle.
Board of Directors
Northern Illinois District
Ov. 9-09

To Change to Four-Year Convention Cycle
WHEREAS, It has been studied and discussed for several years to
move from a three-year district and Synod convention cycle to a
four-year cycle; and
WHEREAS, Such a change would save millions of dollars in
district and Synod convention expenses; and
WHEREAS, Moving to a four-year convention cycle would
demonstrate a sensitivity to the financial challenges facing many
congregations and a commitment to practice wise stewardship; and
WHEREAS, In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Synod
and many districts pivoted temporarily to a four-year convention
cycle without great difficulty; and
WHEREAS, The Southeastern District in its 2022 convention
voted to forward this overture to the Synod Convention for
consideration; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod adopt a four-year convention cycle,
effective upon completion of the 2023 Synod convention.
Southeastern District
Ov. 9-10

To Continue Four-Year Convention Cycle
WHEREAS, Many congregations are facing significant financial
pressures that have led to pastors seeking secular employment, to
multi-point parishes, and even to closure. These pressures also
necessitate greater grassroots dialogue and collaboration at the
circuit level. The costs associated with district and national
conventions are ultimately borne by congregations, for whom the
current three-year cycle leads to a heavy burden. The rising costs of
such conventions should cause the Synod to consider how to
practice wise stewardship and facilitate conversations at the
grassroots level that could lead to greater collaboration and aid our
walking together; and
WHEREAS, The upheaval of the last three years and The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod’s ability to respond to such upheaval at a
national, district, circuit, and congregational level has shown that a
four-year cycle was tenable and that district and Synod leadership
were able to response to issues without waiting for conventions; and
WHEREAS, Moving to a four-year convention cycle would
demonstrate a sensitivity to the challenges facing congregations and
the commitment to practice wise stewardship so that less funds are
taken from the support of ministry and mission work; therefore be
it
Resolved, That the Synod adopt a four-year convention cycle;
and be it further
Resolved, That the four-year cycle would be as follows:

375

year one: circuit forums meet for the purpose of
discussions of theology and collaborative efforts in
ministry and mission work;
• year two: district conventions;
• year three: circuit forums for the purpose of theology and
collaborative efforts in ministry and mission work; and
• year four: national convention;
and be it further
Resolved, That the President of the Synod, district presidents,
and circuit visitors and their respective staffs utilize the extra year
to accomplish visitation in a more reasonable and equitable fashion;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents develop additional
resources to assist the circuit visitors in facilitating circuit forums
and the renewed emphasis on visitation; and be it further
Resolved, That this become effective upon completion of the
2023 convention and shall affect every Synod and district
convention thereafter; and be it further
Resolved, That bylaw provisions shall be determined for
adoption at the 2023 convention for immediate implementation of
election cycles, terms of office, staggering terms, and any other
necessary issues that arise prior to the 2027 convention; and be it
further
Resolved, That Constitution Article VIII A 1 be amended as
follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
•

Article VIII Synodical Meetings

A. Time and Legality of Meetings
1. The Synod convenes every threefour years for its regular
meeting.
…

and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook be charged to
change all additional related bylaws to bring them into conformity
with such a four-year cycle.
Board of Directors
Missouri District
Ov. 9-11

To Appoint Task Force to Evaluate
Current Electoral Circuit Parameters
Rationale: The Principle of Franchise in the Synod
The basic principle of franchise in the Synod at the time of its
formation in 1847 involved two essential components. The first
essential component was that the Synod consisted of equal
(Pfarrgemeinde) (pastor-congregation), no matter their numerical
size, and it was these Pfarrgemeinde (pastor-congregations) that
held the franchise. The second essential component was the
maintaining of a “balance of power” in the conventions of the Synod
between the clergy and the laity. To accomplish this principle of
franchise, the 1847 Constitution of the Synod assigned the franchise
to each member Pfarrgemeinde of the Synod, with each
Pfarrgemeinde to receive two votes, one to be cast by its pastor and
the other, by the lay delegate accredited by the congregation.
2023 Convention Workbook