# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S393
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
Resolved, That the limitations established by Bylaw 3.2.4.1 as
amended shall be applied, imposed, and effective for all elections
held on or after Sept. 2, 2023.
Nebraska District
Ov. 9-42

To Amend Synod Bylaw 3.2.4.1 to Limit Terms
of Office for President, First Vice-President,
Regional Vice-Presidents, and Secretary
WHEREAS, The Lord gifts all people with many and diverse gifts;
and
WHEREAS, Paul acknowledges this truth in 1 Corinthians 12:28–
31 with reference specifically to the Office of the Holy Ministry,
where it is written, “And God has appointed in the church first
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts
of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work
miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with
tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts”; and
WHEREAS, The Lord has gifted the Church with many faithful
men who possess the gifts of leadership and administration; and
WHEREAS, We are discouraged from trusting in human princesprecisely because of their humanity—rather than in God who alone
saves and endows all pastors with these various gifts, as it is written
in Psalm 146:3, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in
whom there is no salvation”; and
WHEREAS, All elected offices in the world and in the church,
including the elected offices of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, are often very stressful and take their toll on any and all who
hold them; and
WHEREAS, We should always be concerned for the physical,
emotional, and spiritual welfare of all who hold office in our Synod,
that they not become negatively impacted by their work and are
encouraged to return to their lives after service, healthy at all levels;
and
WHEREAS, One of the benefits of term limitation is that it focuses
the office holder by helping him to see what limits there are to his
time and the authority of his office; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has already seen the wisdom of limiting
the tenure of board and commission members; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Terms of Office
…
3.2.4.1
As to reelection, the The offices of President, the first VicePresident, regional vice-presidents, and Secretary shall be without
limitation as to reelection limited to three consecutive terms for a
maximum of 9 years lifetime in one particular office.
…

and be it further
Resolved, That this amendment take immediate effect regarding
those elected at this convention, with the count of consecutive terms
to begin with the convention at which the amendment is adopted.
Circuit 2 (Metro West)
South Wisconsin District

393

Ov. 9-43

To Establish Term Limits
for Elected Officers in the Synod and Districts
WHEREAS, The Lord gifts all people with many and diverse gifts
(1 Cor. 12:28–31); and
WHEREAS, The Lord has gifted the Church with many faithful
men who possess the gifts of leadership and administration; and
WHEREAS, Scripture discourages us from trusting in human
princes—precisely because of their humanity—rather than in God
who alone saves (Psalm 146:3); and
WHEREAS, All elected offices in the world and in the Church are
often very stressful and take their toll on those who hold them; and
WHEREAS, One of the benefits of term limitation is that it focuses
the office holder and helps him to see what limits there are to his
time and the authority of his office; and
WHEREAS, Both Synod and districts have already seen the
wisdom of limiting the tenure of some elected offices (such as
circuit visitors) and elected board and commission members; and
WHEREAS, More than half of the districts in Synod already have
term limitations for some of their elected offices, although the
specified offices vary widely as well as the precise term limits, and
it is preferable for this to be standardized throughout the Synod;
therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Terms of Office
…
3.2.4.1
The offices of President, the first Vice-President, regional
vice-presidents, and Secretary shall be without limitation as to
reelection ineligible for reelection after serving a total of four
successive three-year elected terms or 12 years total (successive or
non-successive terms), unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws.
…

and be it further
Resolved, That this restriction take effect upon passage by the
convention and is retroactive, meaning that those elected at this
convention may not be elected again if the term limit has been
reached at the end of this term or before the end of this term; and be
it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 4.3.4 be added as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
4.3 District Officers
…
4.3.4
The elected offices of President, the Vice-Presidents, and
Secretary shall be ineligible for reelection after serving a total of four
successive three-year elected terms or 12 years total (successive or
non-successive terms). Term limits, if any, for other elected offices
and board and commission members may be determined by the
individual district.

and be it further
Resolved, That this restriction take effect upon passage by the
convention and is retroactive, meaning that those who currently
hold these offices may not be elected again if the term limit has been
reached at the end of the current term or before the end of the current
term; and be it finally

2023 Convention Workbook