# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S 18
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Name of delegate ­­___________________________________________________________
Home address _____________________________________________________________
Convention address _________________________________________________________
For reporting errors in registration listings, see last page of this Convention Workbook.
For ongoing convention information, check www.lcms.org/convention.

Preface
The work of a convention of the Synod can be divided into three parts. The first and most important
part will not be covered in this Convention Workbook. It is described in Synod Bylaw 3.1.1.1: “The national
convention of the Synod shall afford an opportunity for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the
communication of vital information.” This part comes later, in the form of worship services, Bible studies, and
presentations that will deliver truly vital information regarding the work of the Church. Delegates to the 2013
Synod convention, “Baptized for This Moment,” will do well to arrive prepared to contemplate and celebrate
their Baptisms.
The second part of the business of the convention is contained in the separate smaller booklet accompanying
this Convention Workbook. This Biographical Synopses & Statements of Nominees booklet contains the
information necessary to participate in the elections to take place. In this regard, the 2013 convention will
be a first-of-a-kind in that the election of the President for the next triennium will already have taken place
by the time the convention meets in July. Information regarding the other positions that will be filled by this
convention and the candidates on the ballots for those positions is provided in this booklet. Delegates will do
well to give it prayerful attention.
Conventions of the Synod are also business meetings, and it is this third part of the work of the 2013
convention that is contained in this Convention Workbook, as prescribed in Synod Bylaw 3.1.1: “The national
convention of the Synod… is the principal legislative assembly, which amends the Constitution and Bylaws,
considers and takes action on reports and overtures, and handles appropriate appeals. It establishes general
positions and policies of the Synod, provides overall program direction and priorities, and evaluates all such
positions, programs, policies, directions, and priorities in order to provide responsible service for and on behalf
of its members.”
A brief review of how the business of a convention is processed may be helpful:
• The reports and overtures contained in this volume are the entire business to come before the 2013
convention, submitted by congregations, circuits, districts, officers, and agencies of the Synod.
• All reports and overtures have been assigned to one or more of seven “floor committees” for consideration
for possible convention actions. The first numeral of the number attached to a report or overture indicates
the floor committee that has been given this responsibility.
• The seven floor committees will meet May 17–20 in St. Louis to determine the actions they will propose
to the convention.
• Between now and the floor committee meetings, any member of the Synod (congregation, ordained
minister, or commissioned minister) or any lay delegate may express comments regarding the reports and
overtures in this Convention Workbook (Bylaw 3.1.8 [c]) by sending a signed letter to the Secretary of the
Synod (1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122). Letters must be sent at least nine weeks prior to
the convention to allow time for forwarding to the appropriate floor committee for its consideration.
May God bless our coming together for our Synod’s convention in St. Louis, July 20–25, 2013. May it be a
good and productive time for us as we come together as His people, doing the work of His Church, “Baptized
for This Moment.”
Raymond L. Hartwig, Editor
[Note to delegates: Remember to bring the Biographical Synopses booklet, this Convention Workbook, and your
copy of Today’s Business to the convention. They will be referred to repeatedly during convention sessions.]