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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 374

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

374

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

year one: additional time for visitation, implementation of
convention resolutions, and regional gatherings for
theological conferences;
• year two: circuit forums meet for the purpose of discussions
of theology and collaborative efforts in ministry and mission
work;
• year three: district conventions;
• year four: national convention;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents develop additional
resources to assist the circuit visitors in facilitating circuit forums
and the renewed emphasis on visitation; and be it further
Resolved, That Constitution Article VIII A 1 be amended as
follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
•

Article VIII Synodical Meetings
A. Time and Legality of Meetings
1. The Synod convenes every threefour years for its regular
meeting.
2. …

and be it further
Resolved, That this become effective upon completion of the
2026 Synod convention and shall affect every Synod and district
convention thereafter; and be it further
Resolved, That a task force be formed and charged to change any
additional bylaw provisions for adoption at the 2026 Synod
convention for immediate implementation of election cycles, terms
of office, staggering terms, and any other necessary issues to bring
them into conformity with such a four-year cycle; and be it further
Resolved, That this task force consist of:
1. one member of the Commission on Handbook (COH),
appointed by the COH, who shall serve as chair;
2. one member of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
(CCM), appointed by the CCM;
3. the Secretary of Synod;
4. the Chief Financial Officer of Synod, or his designee;
5. two district presidents, appointed by the Council of
Presidents (COP);
6. two district business managers, appointed by the COP; and
7. two lay members of a district board of directors, appointed
by the COP, with no district—except the Missouri
District—represented by more than one task force member;
and be it finally
Resolved, That this task force shall present its report to the
Synod, and that it be published on the Synod’s website, at least one
year prior to the 2026 Synod convention.
Board of Directors
Nebraska District
Ov. 9-08

To Move to Four-Year Convention Cycle
WHEREAS, The social upheaval and financial uncertainty of the
past two years have presented significant challenges for the

2023 Convention Workbook

congregations and workers of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod (LCMS), as well as the districts and the Synod; and
WHEREAS, In the face of these financial pressures, a greater
burden has been placed on our workers as more have moved to
multi-point service positions or have had to seek secular
employment, becoming bi-vocational, often negatively impacting
their families, as well as their service to congregations and places
of service in the church; and
WHEREAS, Congregations have in increasing numbers been
forced to form multi-point parishes, and some ultimately experience
closure; and
WHEREAS, These challenges have led congregations and districts
to an even greater awareness of the need to practice good
stewardship of the gifts and offerings received from the sacrificial
contributions of their members; and
WHEREAS, The congregations, districts, and the Synod have
demonstrated their sensitivity to the challenges and problems faced,
as well as their ability to respond in a timely, scriptural, and
thoughtful manner; and
WHEREAS, The Synod could realize significant savings of time
and money by moving to a four-year convention cycle; and
WHEREAS, A move from a three-year cycle to a four-year cycle
would allow for the gifts and offerings of the people of the Synod
to increasingly support the fundamental mission and ministry of
congregations, districts, and the Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS adopt a four-year cycle, amending
Constitution Article VIII A 1 as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

Article VIII Synodical Meetings
A. Time and Legality of Meetings
1. The Synod convenes every threefour years for its regular
meeting.
2. …

and be it further,
Resolved, That the four-year cycle would be as follows:
• year one: circuit forums for the establishment of
relationships, building of collegiality, the encouragement of
the members of the circuit, especially the lay members; and
discussion of theology/practice and collaborative
opportunities for mission and ministry within the circuit,
especially in light of national convention action(s);
• year two: district conventions;
• year three: circuit forums for the establishment of
relationships, building of collegiality, the encouragement of
the members of the circuit, especially the lay members, and
discussion of theology/practice and collaborative
opportunities for mission and ministry within the circuit,
especially in light of district convention action(s), election of
national convention delegates would also take place;
• year four: national convention;
and be it further,
Resolved, That this become effective upon completion of the
2023 convention and subsequent congregational approval of the
constitutional amendment, and shall affect subsequent Synod and
district conventions; and be it further