LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 198

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To Address District Membership/Ecclesiastical
Supervision Issues
(Bylaw 2.12 et al.)
RESOLUTION 7-15
Overture 7-23 (CW, pp. 267–268)
Whereas, Extensive discussions have been held involving the
Commission on Handbook, members of the Council of Presidents,
and Synod officers and staff in an effort to address ongoing and
newly surfacing district membership and ecclesiastical supervision
issues, especially as pertaining to Bylaw 2.12 “District Membership
and Ecclesiastical Supervision”; and
Whereas, The primary goals of these discussions were twofold: (1) the provision of proper ecclesiastical supervision of church
workers (missionaries, commissioned ministers, etc.) living outside the United States; and (2) the provision of a means whereby
interested international congregations could be received into membership in the Synod; and
Whereas, Any addressing of these goals should depend on the
involved district presidents (with the assistance of the Office of
International Mission) providing more intentional ecclesiastical
supervision through regular contact with the foreign workers; and
Whereas, There remain significant policy details to be worked
out before recommending a permanent solution to these goals;
therefore be it
Resolved, That in order to accomplish the goals described above
regarding district membership and ecclesiastical supervision of
members of the Synod, Overture 7-23 be referred to the Board of
International Mission, in consultation and concurrence with the
Council of Presidents and the Office of the President, for appropriate interim action and recommendations for bylaw revisions
to the 66th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

in the areas of theology, mission, finance, law, investments, human
resources, facilities, fund development, and the administration of
complex organizations; and
Whereas, Districts manage significant operational budgets
and provide significant support to the operations and mission of
the LCMS; and
Whereas, Effective governance of the Synod’s districts requires
competent leadership in all skill sets, and boards of directors need
authority to appoint additional directors to complement the skills
of the directors elected by district conventions; and
Whereas, Currently, item 5 of Synod Bylaw 3.3.4.1 authorizes
the elected members of the Synod Board of Directors to appoint up
to three (3) at-large laypersons to obtain needed additional skill sets
(legal, finance, investment, administration, etc.); and
Whereas, Currently, all elected and appointed board of
directors members hold membership in the LCMS, and LCMS
membership will continue to be required for all elected and
appointed district board members; therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod Bylaw 4.5.1 be amended to read as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
4.5.1	Each district shall elect a board of directors, the size
and composition of which shall be determined by the
Bylaws of the district. The district board of directors
shall also have the authority to choose to appoint up
to three (3) voting lay members, from the district’s
congregations, to the board to obtain additional skill
sets (legal, finance, investment, administration, etc.)
It shall have such powers and duties as are accorded
to it by the Constitution, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, resolutions, and policies of the Synod, as well
as those of the district.
Action: Adopted (5)
(Res. 7-16 was adopted without discussion [Yes: 684; No: 53].)

Action: Adopted (5)
(After brief discussion, Res. 7-15 was adopted by voice vote as
presented.)

To Study Doctrinal Training for Reconcilers
RESOLUTION 7-18

To Strengthen District Boards of Directors
RESOLUTION 7-16
Overture 7-42 (CW, pp. 278–279)
Whereas, The boards of directors of LCMS districts are to be
commended for their fine work within each district; and
Whereas, Districts find that new challenges and opportunities
are facing them as they seek to sustain their service to the Synod in
an increasingly challenging and exciting time of theological and
missional opportunities; and

President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, p. 27)
Whereas, In Part 2 of the President’s Report, a request to
consider doctrinal training for reconcilers was presented to the
convention lloor committees on May 17, 2103; therefore be it
Resolved, That this matter be referred to the Council of Presidents, the Commission on Constitutional Matters, and the
Secretary of Synod for appropriate study and recommendations
giving particular attention to Bylaw 2.14.7, especially 2.14.7.8 (k).
Action: Adopted (5)
(Res. 7-18 was adopted without discussion [Yes: 668; No: 10].)

Whereas, District boards of directors are blessed when they
include members with a specific set of skills, including knowledge
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