LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 182

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education programs, seminary education, and
post-seminary continuing education, and by
providing advocacy for pastoral education and
health within the Synod.
(F) Role of Commission on Handbook When Bylaws Are
Amended

Bylaw 7.1.1, Res. 7-09A was adopted without discussion [Yes: 826;
No: 23].)

To Adopt Four-Year Convention Cycle
RESOLUTION 7-10

Rationale
When the 2010 LCMS convention created the Commission
on Handbook (Bylaw 3.9.4ff.) and assigned duties to the commission relating to proposed amendments to the Bylaws of the
Synod (Bylaw 3.9.4.2 [a]), mention of those duties was not made in
Bylaws 7.1.1 and 7.1.2. To eliminate confusion regarding the differing duties of the Commission on Handbook and the Commission
on Constitutional Matters with respect to bylaw amendments, the
Commission on Handbook proposes that Bylaws 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 be
amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
7.1

Amendments to the Bylaws may be made using one
of two procedures, provided they are not contrary to
the Constitution of the Synod.

7.1.1

Amendments may be made by conventions of the
Synod.

(a) They shall be presented in writing to a convention of the Synod.
(b) They shall be specified as bylaw amendments and
considered by a convention floor committee.
(c) They shall be examined by the Commission on
Constitutional Matters prior to presentation to the
convention to determine that they are not in conflict as to content with the Constitution and Bylaws
of the Synod.
(d) They shall be examined by the Commission on
Handbook prior to presentation to the convention
to determine that they are in agreement in language
(terminology) with the current Handbook.
(de) They shall be adopted by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the delegates present and voting.
7.1.2	In exceptional circumstances and upon the express
direction of a convention of the Synod, amendments
may be made by a two-thirds majority of the Board
of Directors.
(a) Such amendments to the Bylaws shall be necessary
to implement resolutions adopted by a convention of
the Synod.
(b) Such amendments shall be drafted by the Secretary of the Synod and shall be reviewed by the
Commission on Constitutional Matters and the
Commission on Handbook.
Action: Adopted (5)
(After the committee inserted the words “presentation to” following “prior to” in the proposed wording for paragraph (d) of
182

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2 0 1 3 C o n v e n t io n P r o c e e d i n g s

Overtures 7-31–33 (CW, pp. 274–276)
Preamble
When dealing with the issue of frequency of district and
national conventions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
members of the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Synod Structure and
Governance in 2010 proposed a change in the convention cycle that
aims to accomplish three important objectives:
1. Provide a structure that creates a convention culture in the
church that uses the Word of God as an instrument of the
Holy Spirit and His power in conversation, discussion, and
convincing, rather than simply serving as a culture of voting power or legislation.
2. Provide economic savings.
3. Provide adequate time for church representatives to implement the work of the church at each level of governance.
For those reasons, there is value in reconsidering a four-year
convention cycle.
Whereas, A four-year cycle that begins with the grassroots
of the Synod will create a convention culture characterized by an
intentional focus on the church’s common mission and confession,
on contemporary issues faced by the church, and on theology, nurture, edification, inspiration, and worship; and
Whereas, A change to a four-year cycle allows for the central
role of congregations in all four years; and
Whereas, It is desirable to be the best stewards of both the
time and the money of the members of the congregations of the
Synod; and
Whereas, Significant economic savings will be realized by
the congregations of the Synod being assessed for a district and a
national convention every four years rather than every three years;
and
Whereas, The importance of matters coming from a congregation, a circuit forum, or a district convention to a convention of
the national Synod is well served by a four-year cycle; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod adopt a
four-year cycle for district and national conventions to take effect
at the conclusion of the 66th Regular Convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That in the four-year cycle, circuits may hold theological convocations in year one; districts shall hold theological
convocations in year two; district conventions shall be held in year
three; and the national Synod convention shall be held in year four;
and be it further
R e s olu t i on s