# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S288
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

288 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION

To Discontinue Study and Debate Over
Structure and Authority of Synod

WHEREAS, The current structure of the Synod, Districts, and
member congregations has proven effective for decades; and

WHEREAS, After more than a decade of study and debate, no su-
perior structure for the Synod, Districts, and member congregations
has been identified; and

WuerEAS, It is time to recommit more fully the Synod’s time,
talent, and treasure outward towards the mission field rather than to
continue to expend such resources looking inward; and

WuereEAS, The continued study and debate over political struc-
ture and authority has proven divisive and has increased rather than
decreased conflict within the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS, meeting in convention in St. Louis in
2001, direct the Synod for the next triennium to discontinue fur-
ther study and debate over the structure and authority of the Synod;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod recommit the time, talent, and trea-
sure that would have otherwise been used on the further study and
debate of its internal structure and authority to the mission field for
the next triennium.

Grace
Wyoming, MI

7-143

To Require Background Checks on Floor
Nominees to Officer Positions

Rationale

In order that the Synod may be judicious in electing its full-time
officers, background checks should be conducted on all candidates
as required by human resources policies of the Synod. Background
checks on most nominees can be conducted as a routine part of the
nomination process. However, when a nomination is made from
the floor, there is insufficient time to allow for background checks.
An amendment to Bylaw 3.961 is therefore necessary to provide
for background checks on a post-election basis when an individual
who has been nominated from the floor is elected to a full-time of-
ficer position. The Bylaw should also designate authority to the
Board of Directors of the Synod to act as fiduciary on behalf of the

2001 Convention Workbook

convention with regard to such background checks. The following
addition to Bylaw 3.96] is therefore recommended to the conven-
tion.

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.961 be amended to include the follow-
ing paragraph:

h. A candidate nominated from the floor of the convention
who is elected to a full-time officer position of the Synod shall
be required, immediately upon election, to undergo the same
background checks required for other full-time officers of the
Synod. The finds of the background checks shall be interpreted
by the Executive Director of Human Resources based upon the
standards applied for all other officers or employees. Should it
be interpreted that there is reason to consider removal from of-
fice, a recommendation shall be made to the Board of Directors
of the Synod. The Board shall then make a determinalion
whether the individual should be removed from office.

LCMS Board of Directors

7-144

To Require Background Checks for President
and First Vice-President of Synod

Rationale

Human resource policy of the Synod includes a requirement that
all officers and full-time employees of the Synod of a set grade and
above receive a background check before employment. Currently,
because of the election process, the President and First Vice-Presi-
dent are not included in this background check process. While
background checks can be obtained for all nominees, the conven-
tion would not be a good place to reveal and deal with background
issues, should such be found. Since the Board of Directors is re-
sponsible for the legal affairs of the Synod, a better time and place
to handle these issues would be prior to the convention by action of
the Board of Directors. The Board therefore recommends to the
convention the following addition to the Bylaws.

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.183 be amended by adding the follow-
ing paragraph:

3. [t shall receive recommendations from the Executive Di-
rector of Human Resources for any disqualification of any nom-
inee for the position of President and First Vice-President of the
Synod as a result of background check information. The cause
for disqualification shall be consistent with standards maintained
for all other officers or employees. The Board shall make the
determination if the name of the candidate should be removed
from the ballot prior to election at the convention.

LCMS Board of Directors