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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 383

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

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
Resolved, That the results of the advisory vote be published prior
to the delegate vote; and be it finally
Resolved, That this become effective with the next Synod
convention in 2026.
Southeastern District
Ov. 9-24

To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Delegate
Participation at Conventions
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 commissioned ministers 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, At least one other district (Northern Illinois) utilizes
the voice and guidance of their commissioned workers in district
convention through a non-counted advisory member vote; 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 Board of Directors work with the district
president to establish a procedure for the rostered ministers of
religion of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District to provide a
preliminary poll on the resolutions proposed for the district
convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the results of that poll be provided to the
delegates at the convention prior to the convention vote; and be it
further
Resolved, That this procedure be ready in time and become
effective with the next district convention in 2025; and be it finally
Resolved, That the California-Nevada-Hawaii District in
convention memorialize the Synod in convention to pass a likeminded resolution.
California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Ov. 9-25

To Strengthen Advisory Delegate Participation
at Synod Conventions
WHEREAS, Currently, there are 12,010 ministers of religion—
commissioned (Church Worker Update system, March 2021) in our
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) who serve the mission
and ministry of congregations, schools, child development centers,

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camps, compassion centers, and mission work throughout the
national and global mission fields; and
WHEREAS, The current structure of the Synod does not allow
ministers of religion—commissioned to serve as voting delegates
for their congregations or electoral circuits at district and Synod
conventions (Constitution Articles IX; XII 10 B); and
WHEREAS, The Synod highly values commissioned ministers for
their eagerness and effectiveness in serving 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 are represented by advisory delegates
(Bylaw 3.1.3) with representation, voice, but no vote at conventions
of the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The limited time of debate and a quick call of the
question on many resolutions doesn’t allow the advisory delegates
to actually advise the convention; and
WHEREAS, At least two districts (Michigan and Northern Illinois)
utilize the voice and guidance of their commissioned workers in
district convention through an advisory poll; and
WHEREAS, This honors the bylaw and structure of the convention
while allowing the advisory delegate voice to be heard and
recognized; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS enable advisory delegates to provide
an advisory poll during its regular convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the results of the advisory poll be shared prior to
the vote of the voting delegates.
Michigan District
Ov. 9-26

To Grant Ministers of Religion—Commissioned
Power to Vote at District and Synodical
Conventions
WHEREAS, Scripture allows the church militant to organize in a
variety of ways; and
WHEREAS, There is therefore no theological prohibition to
prohibit commissioned and non-ordained church workers from the
right to vote; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod takes great
pains in the theological education of all ministers of religion, both
ordained and commissioned; and
WHEREAS, It is not good, right, or salutary that these workers be
disenfranchised thusly; therefore be it
Resolved, That ministers of religion—commissioned as defined
by Article V of the Synod Constitution be given the same ability as
pastors to represent congregations and vote on their behalf; and be
it further
Resolved, That Constitution Article V B be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
B. Individual Members
Individual members of the Synod, who are non-voting except for
those pastors or ministers of religion—commissioned exercising the
vote of a member congregation or congregations, are the following:
…

2023 Convention Workbook