LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 243

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synod structure and governance
representative voters equal to the number of extra congregational lay
voters from the large congregations in their district, thus assuring an
equal number of associate member and lay voters in each district;
and be it further
Resolved, That nominations for these offices would be made by
the congregations as is done now for President. The two nominees
receiving the greatest number of nominations for each position would
be on an e-mail ballot sent to each congregation. All ballots would
have to be signed by the president and the secretary of each congregation and possibly notarized.
St. John
Aurora, IN
8-64

To Change Composition and Increase Duties
of Board of Directors
Whereas, The present structure of the LCMS has been identified
as working inefficiently or without proper checks and balances; and
Whereas, This has resulted in much dissension throughout the
Synod; and
Whereas, Too much responsibility and authority is in the hands
of the President; and
Whereas, A structure that is efficient and has sufficient checks
and balances is desirable; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS be governed by a Board of Directors
under the authority of the Synod in convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the Board of Directors be composed of an equal
number of well-qualified pastors and laymen elected by ministerial
officers and laymen of self-sustaining congregations of the Synod;
and be it further
Resolved, That the President of the Synod preside over the group
without the right to vote except in case of a tie; and be it further
Resolved, That all officers of the Synod, commissions, boards,
councils, divisions, colleges, seminaries, and all other Synod entities
serve under the authority of the Board of Directors; and be it further
Resolved, That all appointments be made by the Board of Directors
after receiving nominations from appropriate entities and its own
members; and be it finally
Resolved, That the executive staff include the President, Secretary,
Chief Administrative Officer, and Chief Financial Officer.
St. Paul
Milford Center, OH
8-65

To Operate with a Board of Directors Serving
as National Consistory

243

Resolved, That the LCMS be governed by a board of directors
serving also as a national consistory under the authority of its supreme
legislative body. The board/national consistory would be composed of
an equal number of well qualified pastors and laymen. All would be
elected by pastors and laymen of self-sustaining congregations of the
Synod. The President of the Synod would preside over the group without the right to vote except in case of a tie. All officers, commissions,
boards, councils, divisions, colleges, seminaries, and all other entities
of the Synod would serve under the authority of the board/national
consistory. All appointments would be made by the consistory after
receiving nominations from appropriate entities and their own members. The national office operating team would include the President,
Secretary, Chief Administrative Officer, and Chief Financial Officer.
St. John
Aurora, IN
8-66

To Establish Chief Executive Officer Position
Whereas, The proposals of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod
Structure and Governance (BRTFSSG) place even greater authority
and governance in the Office of the President; and
Whereas, The gift of administration is not necessarily a prerequisite for the theological leadership of the Synod; and
Whereas, The LCMS Board of Directors adopted the following
resolution at its May 14-15, 2009 meeting:
Resolved, That the Board of Directors strongly recommend that the
Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and Governance include in
its final report the establishment of the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Under this organizational plan (a) the president of the Synod
will supervise all ecclesiastical aspects of the Synod; and (b) the CEO
will supervise all business, legal, and property aspects of the agencies of
the Synod to the extent such authority is assigned to the Board of Directors and the program and services entities of the Synod.

therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention revise its Constitution
and Bylaws to establish the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
separate from the ecclesiastical structure to handle the business of the
Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That under this organizational plan (a) the President of
the Synod will supervise all ecclesiastical aspects of the Synod and (b)
the CEO will supervise all business, legal, and property aspects of the
agencies of the Synod to the extent such authority is assigned to the
Board of Directors and the program and services entities of the Synod.
Circuit 3 Forum
South Wisconsin District
8-67

Rationale

To Give Careful Consideration When Addressing
BRTFSSG Recommendation 18

The present structure of the LCMS does not seem to be working
efficiently or with proper checks and balances and has resulted in
much dissension throughout the Synod. Too much responsibility and
authority is in the hands of the President. A structure that is efficient
and has sufficient checks and balances is desirable. If we are going
to restructure, we should do it in a way that does not exacerbate the
present problems and dissensions. The proposal that follows gives
us the opportunity for an efficient structure and a more harmonious
walking and working together.

Whereas, The LCMS is considering a restructuring of the Synod
and such restructuring has both short- and long-term implications
for ministry (regarding which the Board for Human Care Ministries
[LCMS World Relief and Human Care] respectfully requests that
careful consideration be given); and
Whereas, In 2010, Haiti experienced an earthquake of overwhelming proportions, following which LCMS World Relief and
Human Care (WRHC) had the expertise, ground resources, and contacts to respond by providing some of the first mercy medical teams to
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