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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 381

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

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
(e) Prior to the meeting of the electoral circuit, each congregation
may nominate one layperson (i.e., not a commissioned or
ordained minister), either from its congregation or from the
circuit. These names must be submitted to the circuit visitor prior
to the day of the circuit meeting and shall constitute the slate of
candidates. All congregational nominees, except those who have
been eliminated through the election of the pastoral delegate,
shall be eligible for election.
(1) Each voter may write in the name of two of the remaining
lay nominees on the initial ballot. When there are at most five
remaining lay nominees, they shall constitute the ballot.
Otherwise, each voter may write in the name of two of the
remaining lay nominees on the initial ballot. The three
laypersons (or more, in case of a tie vote) who received the
highest number of votes in this preliminary ballot shall be
placed on the next ballot.
…
…

and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of Synod, in consultation with the
Commission on Handbook, evaluate all the elections procedures in
the Bylaws of the LCMS to ensure that they are clear, consistent,
and fair procedures for all aspects of elections, including what to do
about tied votes.
St. John
Holbrook, NY
Ov. 9-19

To Ensure Lay Voting Delegates
at Synod Convention
WHEREAS, Per Bylaw 3.1.2.1 lay delegates cannot be nominated
on the day of a circuit forum; and
WHEREAS, Per the aforementioned Bylaw and the ruling of the
Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM), the district
president cannot appoint a substitute lay delegate unless both a
delegate and alternate are elected at the circuit forum; and
WHEREAS, Lay representation at the Synod convention is a vital
aspect of our polity; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.2.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.1.2.1
Elections of voting delegates shall take place in accordance
with established policy and procedure.
…
(k) In the event a circuit fails to elect an alternate lay delegate
because only one individual was eligible to stand, the circuit is
permitted to hold a second forum to elect an alternate lay
delegate.

and be it further
Resolved, That if the CCM rules circuits already have this ability,
this be noted in future pre-convention instructions and this overture
be considered moot.
Holy Trinity
Walnut, IL

381

Ov. 9-20

To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Delegate
Participation at Convention
WHEREAS, Currently, there are 12,010 ministers of religion—
commissioned (Church Worker Update System, March 2021) who
serve the mission and ministry of congregations, schools, child
development centers, camps, compassion centers, and mission work
throughout the national and global mission fields; and
WHEREAS, The current structure of the Synod does not allow for
a third category of voting delegates at district and Synod
conventions (Constitution Articles IX; XII 10 b); and
WHEREAS, The Synod highly values ministers of religion—
commissioned for their eagerness to serve the Lord and His Church
(2019 Resolution 9-17, “To Study Voting Privilege in the LCMS,”
Proceedings, 201); and
WHEREAS, ministers of religion—commissioned are considered
advisory members with representation, voice, but no vote at
conventions of districts and Synod, along with “those ordained
ministers not eligible for election as a voting delegate under Bylaw
3.1.2.1 (d) …” (Bylaw 3.1.3) with representation, voice, but no vote
at conventions of districts and Synod; and
WHEREAS, Some districts utilize the voice and guidance of their
ministers of religion—commissioned in district conventions
through a non-counted advisory member vote; and
WHEREAS, The Atlantic District has passed resolutions in
previous conventions to study and garner the guidance of ministers
of religion—commissioned; and
WHEREAS, This honors the bylaw and structure of the convention
while allowing the nonvoting advisory delegate voice to be heard
and their vote recognized; therefore be it
Resolved, That the district enable nonvoting advisory delegates
to provide a preliminary non-binding poll of resolutions, not
elections, during its regular conventions; and be it further
Resolved, That each circuit forum elect two advisory delegates,
at most one of which is a minister of religion—ordained, who shall
exercise the privilege of voting in polls at regular conventions of the
district; and be it further
Resolved, That the results of the advisory poll be announced
prior to the delegate vote; and be it further
Resolved, That this become effective with the next district
convention in 2025; and be it finally
Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize Synod in
convention to pass a like-minded resolution.
Atlantic District
Ov. 9-21

To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Delegate
Participation at Convention
WHEREAS, Currently there are 12,010 ministers of religion—
commissioned (Church Worker Update System, March 2021) who
serve the mission and ministry of congregations, schools, child
development centers, camps, compassion centers, and mission work
throughout the national and global mission fields; and
WHEREAS, The current structure of the Synod does not allow for
a third category of voting delegates at district and Synod
conventions (Constitution Articles IX; XII 10 b); and
2023 Convention Workbook