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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 372

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

372

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
(b) Any interim appointment of a chief executive shall follow a
process similar to the initial appointment of a chief executive.
(1) Such interim appointees must be approved by the
President of the Synod, and may not serve more than 18
months without the concurrence of the President of the Synod.
(2) Such interim appointees shall be ineligible to serve on a
permanent basis without the concurrence of the President of
the Synod.
(c) The chief executives shall normally attend all meetings of
their board except when their own positions are being considered.

4. Provide opportunities through which its members may
express their Christian concern, love, and compassion
in meeting human needs;
5. Aid congregations to develop processes of thorough
Christian education and nurture and to establish
agencies of Christian education such as elementary and
secondary schools and to support synodical colleges,
universities, and seminaries;
6. Aid congregations by providing a variety of resources
and opportunities for recognizing, promoting,
expressing, conserving, and defending their
confessional unity in the true faith;
7. Encourage congregations to strive for uniformity in
church practice, but also to develop an appreciation of
a variety of responsible practices and customs which are
in harmony with our common profession of faith;
8. Provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for
pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers
of the Synod in the performance of their official duties;
9. Provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers,
and other church workers in the performance of their
official duties and the maintenance of their rights;
10.Aid in providing for the welfare of pastors, teachers,
and other church workers, and their families in the event
of illness, disability, retirement, special need, or death.

Commission on Handbook
Ov. 9-04

To Reaffirm “Bottom-Up Nature of Synod”
WHEREAS, The establishment of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod in 1847 under the guidance of C.F.W. Walther set
aside the “top-down” polity structure found in the European church
and firmly established its roots as a “bottom-up,” ministry-oriented
church body; and
WHEREAS, The Synod is well established in supporting
congregations and their needs by encouraging, strengthening,
training, and providing through its many institutions; and
WHEREAS, We as a nation continually gravitate to a “single
source” as a governing body, news source, or life solution,
establishing a precedent to immediately seek the top executive for
any matter of opinion or resolution for the sole purpose of personal
efficiency and expediency; and
WHEREAS, There is a concern that for the same purpose of
improved efficiency and expediency, the Synod is tempted to
practice a more hierarchical structure; and
WHEREAS, A “top-down” polity structure robs the intimacy and
identity that all ministry is local and the church loses its core family
character; and
WHEREAS, Like a healthy body, the body of Christ is healthiest
when all of her members fully participate; and
WHEREAS, The participation of her members brings forth
ownership in the work that the Holy Spirit has set before her;
therefore be it; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its historic role of
strengthening and supporting congregations as emphasized under
Article III and Article VII of the Synod Constitution:

Article VII Relation of the Synod to Its Members
1. In its relation to its members the Synod is not an
ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or
coercive powers, and with respect to the individual
congregation’s right of self-government it is but an
advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod
imposing anything upon the individual congregation is
of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word
of God or if it appears to be inexpedient as far as the
condition of a congregation is concerned.
2. Membership of a congregation in the Synod gives the
Synod no equity in the property of the congregation.

and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod shall reaffirm its emphasis of serving
congregations and assisting them in their work for the kingdom of
God including the support of raising up church workers and lay
leaders, supporting the planting of new outreach congregations
throughout the world, as well as the support of campus and youth
ministry.
Board of Directors
Florida-Georgia District

Article III Objectives
The Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions,
shall—
1. Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith
(Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor. 1:10), work through its official
structure toward fellowship with other Christian church
bodies, and provide a united defense against schism,
sectarianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy;
2. Strengthen congregations and their members in giving
bold witness by word and deed to the love and work of
God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend that
Gospel witness into all the world;
3. Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other
professional church workers and provide opportunity
for their continuing growth;

2023 Convention Workbook

Ov. 9-05

To Create a Restructuring Task Force
to Consider Transfer of Synod Congregations,
Ministries, and Assets
WHEREAS, The baptized and communicant membership of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is declining; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic and cultural trends have
and are accelerating this decline; and
WHEREAS, Proactive planning is good stewardship; and
WHEREAS, Ecclesiastical structure is not mandated by Scripture
and may be decided by congregations for the good of mission and
ministry; therefore be it