Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2004 · 62nd Convention, St. Louis › Page 250
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 250

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

250 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION

Resolved, That the 2004 Synod convention create a task force as
follows:
1. A special Constitutional Task Force of nine people be appointed
as follows:
«4 members (2 laypersons and 2 pastors) appointed by the
Synod President
¢4 members (2 laypersons and 2 pastors) appointed by the
Synod Board of Directors
* 1 member (layperson to serve as task force chair) appointed by
the Council of Presidents

2. The task force be charged to do the following:

a. Draft and present to the congregations a proposed revised
Constitution and Bylaws by Jan. 1, 2006.

b. Secure widespread congregational input as well as input from
all synodical entities and offices during the drafting process.

c. Present a new proposed Constitution and Bylaws to the 2007
convention for action.

d. Consider the following objectives:
¢ Maximize organizational time and talent to proclaim the

Great Commission and minimize organizational time and
talents to internal organizational matters

¢ Streamline decision-making
* Minimize layers of organizational bureaucracy
* Create fair congregational representation and avoid minor-
ity control
e. All task force decisions to be made by simple majority vote,
with all nine task force members having voting privileges.

and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors allocate sufficient finan-
cial resources to support the work of the Constitutional Task Force;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the task force be disbanded at the conclusion of
the 2007 synodical convention,

King of Kings

Omaha, NE

7-04

To Return to Original Constitution of Synod

WueREAS, The Synod under its original 1847 Constitution grew
to be one of the largest Lutheran synods in the world; and

WHEREAS, The Synod under its original 1847 Constitution had
an active and dynamic evangelism program; and

WHEREAS, The Synod under its original 1847 Constitution had a
simple, fair, and decisive dispute-arbitration process; and
WHEREAS, Under its original 1847 Constitution the Synod’s pri-
mary duties included the following: “To stand guard over the purity
and unity of doctrine within the synodical circle, and to oppose
false doctrine; Supervision over the performance of the official du-
ties on the part of pastors and teachers of Synod; Common protec-
tion and extension of the Church; The preparation of future preach-
ers and teachers for service in the Church; To give theological
opinions, also to settle disputes between single persons or between
parties in the congregations”; and
Whereas, The Synod was able to complete her goals and her
mission in a God-pleasing manner under a simple form of church
governance; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod amend
its Constitution to return it to the 1847 Constitution and Bylaws in
order to regain our mission, peace, and tranquility.
Crookston Circuit Forum
Minnesota North District

7-05

To Reaffirm Constitutional Structure of Synod

WHEREAS, The LCMS has in its Constitution and Bylaws very
clearly delineated the respective responsibilities of its officers and
board, giving ecclesiastical supervision to the President and under
him the Vice-Presidents and other officers, the interpretation of the
Constitution and Bylaws to the CCM, property, business, and legal
affairs to the Board of Directors, and specific responsibilities to
other boards, commissions, etc.,—all accountable to the Synod
convention; and

WHEREAS, This balanced organizational structure has served the
Synod admirably for many years; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention strongly reaffirm its es-
tablished constitutional structure; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod firmly reject any effort to undermine
its constitutional structure in order to promote a political agenda;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod seek to maintain its biblical and con-
fessional faithfulness by means of the power and authority of God’s
Word alone, and not by means of political maneuvering.

Circuits 20 and 21
South Wisconsin District

7-06
To Amend and Restate Articles of Incorporation

Rationale

In a written opinion obtained from special outside counsel, the
Board of Directors was advised that the Synod should include in
its Articles of Incorporation a provision that will enable the Synod
to take full advantage of allowances in Missouri non-profit corpo-
ration law for indemnification of directors and officers. The Board
forwarded this concern to the Commission on Structure with the
request that the Commission, with the assistance of special legal
counsel, prepare a proposal to amend the Articles to include such a
provision.

The Board of Directors also recognized that the Articles of In-
corporation required additional amendment to reflect changes in
the Synod since they were last amended in 1998. Special legal
counsel recommended that these changes and the inclusion of the
indemnification provision be accomplished by restating the Arti-
cles to incorporate the changes.

Upon receipt of the Board’s request and subsequent assistance
from special legal counsel, the Commission on Structure proposes
that the Articles of Incorporation of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod be amended and restated as follows:

Resolved, That the Articles of Incorporation of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod be amended and restated as follows:

PRESEN+/PROPOSED

AMENDED AND TATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
THE LUTHERA! H—

Article I Name, Duration, Registered Office, and Agent
a. The name of this corporation shall be “The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod.”
b. The period of duration of the corporation is perpetual.

c. The address of the registered office of the corporation is
1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, Missouri.

d. The name of the registered agent of the corporation is

Article II Objectives
The objectives of this corporation shall be:

a. To unite in a corporate body the congregations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church that acknowledge and remain true