# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S210
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

9. STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
resulted in an increasing number of vacancies for such
positions that are then filled by appointment; and
WHEREAS, The Committee for Convention Nominations
for the 2023 Synod convention believes that, ideally, positions
elected from the Synod convention should be filled by the
persons elected by the Synod convention insofar as possible,
for purposes of continuity of service on the related board and
the benefit of the related expertise thereby provided to such
board, and thus that it is appropriate to allow a person elected
from a region to continue to serve until the elected term
expires even if such person relocates residence; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.12.2.8 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Nominations and Elections of Regional Positions—Board of
Directors and Mission Boards
3.12.2.8 The convention shall elect the regional positions
for the Synod’s Board of Directors and Mission Boards
according to the following nominations and elections
process.
…
(j) Persons elected to regional positions under this
bylaw who subsequently take residence outside of the
region may remain serving in their regional positions for
the remainder of their current elected terms, so long as
they retain membership in a congregation of the Synod.
Action: Adopted (4)

After some debate, a delegate called the question, which was
carried. The resolution was adopted by a voice vote.

To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Delegate
Participation at Conventions
RESOLUTION 9-08A
Report R62 (CW, 159–68); Overtures 9-20–26 (CW, 381–84)
Rationale
The Synod is comprised of parishes—that divinely established
unity of the office of the one given to proclaim the Word of
God and administer His Sacraments together with the one
given to receive this grace thus administered through these
means. As the Synod meets, each parish has been given equal
voting status to be exercised by those without which there is
no parish—the office of proclaiming and the office of
receiving. This proclaiming office is identified in the Lutheran
Confessions (Augsburg Confession [AC] V) and in the official
theological position of the Synod (C.F.W. Walther, Kirche und
Amt, Thesis VIII) as the called pastor of the parish.

advisory delegates prior to delegate voting, but in addition to
violating the established rules of order (Robert’s Rules of Order,
Newly Revised [12th ed.] 45:72), such polling reduces the advice
and counsel given to a single word—either “Yes” or “No.” The
counsel these advisors can bring is much more nuanced and
valuable than merely a single word. The 2019 Resolution 9-17
Report included in the 2023 Convention Workbook concludes,
“…one of the best existing opportunities is to encourage more
participation of commissioned ministers on floor
committees” (2023 Convention Report R62, “2019 Res. 9-17
Report: Study of Voting Privilege in the LCMS (CCM),”
Secretary of Synod, Workbook, 167). The Bylaws have always
contemplated, and it is made explicitly clear in the revisions
made at the 1981 Convention, that advisory members of floor
committees have full voice and vote on the floor committees
(Bylaw 4.2.3 [a]). Some have suggested extending the full
franchise to some or all advisory delegates, but there is no way
to accomplish this without fundamentally changing the
structural and theological underpinnings of the Synod and
redrafting the entirety of the Constitution and Bylaws.
Therefore be it
Resolved, That we reaffirm the historical and theological
position of the Synod from its foundation, that every parish is
represented by one who holds the preaching office and one
who holds the hearing office (Small Catechism Table of
Duties); and be it further
Resolved, That the conventions of the Synod and its
districts be encouraged to ensure that the advisory delegates
are well prepared to exercise their responsibilities and
privileges because their participation is valued and
appreciated; and be it finally
Resolved, That we encourage the conventions of the Synod
and its districts to include more robust representation of
advisory delegates, especially ministers of religion—
commissioned, on the floor committees of their respective
conventions.
Action: Adopted (4)

An amendment was declined to replace, in the first resolved, the
words “holds the hearing office” with “hears what is preached.”
An amendment failed to strike from the second rationale
paragraph the sentence “Recent efforts…single word.” Twenty
minutes having elapsed, debate was closed and the resolution
was adopted by hand and voice vote.

In addition to the voting parishes of the Synod, individuals
rostered as ministers of religion—ordained and ministers of
religion—commissioned all hold a nonvoting, advisory status
(Constitution Article V B). In recent history, these advisory
delegates have been underutilized within our district and
Synod conventions. Recent efforts have included polling
210 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

Resolutions