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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 392

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

392

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Nominations and Elections of Regional Vice-Presidents
3.12.2.7
After the results of the first-vice-presidential election have
been announced, the convention shall elect five regional vicepresidents according to the following nominations and elections
process.
…
(e) Voting delegates to the national convention shall be entitled
to vote for one of the candidates from eachhis/her own region. If
no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the three
candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be retained
on the ballot.
…

and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention would certify the
election of the regional vice-presidents and then place in order the
regional vice-presidents by the body in convention.
Florida-Georgia District
Ov. 9-40

To Implement Term Limits for Synod President
and First Vice-President
WHEREAS, The saints of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
give thanks for the men willing to use their gifts and abilities to
serve as Synod President and First Vice-President; and
WHEREAS, The offices of President and First Vice-President in
districts and the Synod are not biblically mandated, but rather a
governance structure chosen by the districts and the Synod and
therefore able to be modified by the same; and
WHEREAS, Many districts, including the Texas District, have
term limits for district presidents and vice-presidents; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has already limited the tenure of those
who serve in office by Bylaw 3.2.4.2, which limits elected board
and commission members of Synod to two consecutive six-year
terms; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Texas District memorialize the Synod to
implement term limits for the Synod President and First VicePresident; and be it further
Resolved, That, the Synod President and First Vice-President
may serve a maximum of four three-year terms; and be it further
Resolved, That these term limits be applied commencing with the
Synod President’s and First Vice-President’s terms beginning in
2023, thereby allowing the incumbents to serve four three-year
terms after the 2023 convention of the Synod, should they be
reelected; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook be charged to
make appropriate changes to the Handbook to implement this
resolution.
Texas District
Ov. 9-41

To Establish Term Limits
for Elected Officers of Synod
WHEREAS, The Synod is and has been served by the multiple
gifts and abilities of those who are elected by the Synod in

convention to serve it as officers, members of boards, and members
of commissions; and
WHEREAS, Those elected by the Synod are, during their term of
office, using their multiple gifts and abilities to the fullest extent in
furtherance of the Synod’s life together, such that the duties and
obligations of said offices and positions by necessity require
tremendous focus and dedication by those elected to same, often to
the exclusion or diminishment of their vocations to family and
neighbors; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has been abundantly blessed by God with
faithful men and women throughout its member congregations and
rosters of ordained and commissioned ministers with a multitude of
varied gifts and abilities who would be capable of serving the Synod
in the offices and positions elected by the Synod in convention, such
that no officer, board member, or commission member is
irreplaceable; and
WHEREAS, There is not uniformity of practice within the Synod
with regard to term limits, as the offices of President, First VicePresident, regional vice-presidents, and Secretary of the Synod are
without limitation; and
WHEREAS, Re-election of members of all boards and
commissions of the Synod are subject to limitations; and
WHEREAS, Term limits facilitate good order and harmony with
the Synod, requiring the intentional selection of perspectives, gifts,
and abilities best suited to the furtherance of the Synod’s life
together in order to proclaim and witness to the nation and world at
that time; and
WHEREAS, Term limits demonstrate and affirm care for those
who serve the Synod in the offices and positions elected by the
Synod in convention; and
WHEREAS, Term limits remind the members of Synod that our
hope, confidence, and trust rests and resides in Christ and Christ
alone, the head of the Church; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Nebraska District memorialize the Synod to
establish limits on the terms of the officers elected by the Synod in
convention to not exceed a total of four terms; and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Terms of Office
3.2.4.1
Those holding theThe offices of President, the first VicePresident, regional vice-presidents, and Secretary shall be ineligible
for re-election to the same office after serving a total of four
successive three-year terms, unless otherwise provided in the
Bylawwithout limitation as to reelection.
(a) More than one-half of a term shall be regarded as a full term
under limited tenure rules.
(b) Any officer who is ineligible for re-election may be elected
or appointed to another office or position.
(ac) If the President, First Vice-President, or Secretary are not
reelected or do not stand for re-election, they shall continue to
receive full salary for a period of six (6) months while rendering
transitional service.
(bd) Such service and salary will cease at the time such person
accepts another full-time position.
(ce) Before his successor assumes office, the outgoing President
shall use the intervening time to settle the affairs of his
administration and assist the newly elected President as requested
to become acquainted with the responsibilities of the office.

and be it finally
2023 Convention Workbook