LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 275

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Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters
2.

In cases of urgent necessity, a special sessionconvention
may be called by the President with the consent of twothirds of the district presidents or by three-fourths of the
district presidents without the consent of the President;
however, all congregations and other members of the Synod
must be notified 30 days in advance and told for what
purpose this extra meetingconvention is being convened;

And be it finally
Resolved, That Synod Bylaw 3.2.4 be amended accordingly:
3.2.4 The term of office of all elected officers of the Synod (Bylaw
3.2.1) shall be threefour years; of the elected members of the Board of
Directors and all other boards and commissions of the Synod, sixeight
years; of all members of college and university boards, commissions,
and standing committees, threefour years, and of all appointed members
of boards, commissions, and standing committeees, threefour years, unless these Bylaws specifically provide otherwise.

Pacific Hills, Omaha, NE; Nebraska District
7-32

To Adopt Four-Year Convention Cycle
Rationale

At the 2010 LCMS convention, the Blue Ribbon Task Force on
Synod Structure and Governance proposed a change in the cycle
of district and national conventions (Res. 8-18). Its purpose was to
accomplish three 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 [“ ...We have
merely the power to advise one another, that we only have the power
of the Word and of convincing” (C. F. W. Walther, first Presidential
address)];
2. Provide economic savings; and
3. Provide adequate time for church representatives to implement the
work of the church at each level of governance.

The 2010 LCMS convention floor committee recommended
amending the cycle of district and national conventions from three
years to four years. The resolution failed to receive the required twothirds vote for constitutional amendments (Yes, 680; No, 495; 2010
Proceedings, pp. 167–169).
The above three objectives are deemed important, urgent, and
desirable for the life of the Synod.
Whereas, The Synod is so convinced of the power and authority
of the Word that it believes it can accomplish its mission primarily through mutual encouragement and support based on that Word,
rather than by organizational authority and control; and
Whereas, The provisions or arrangements to influence one
another by the power of the Word, including mutual encouragement
and support based on the Word, includes forums, convocations, conventions, and conferences; and
Whereas, A four-year cycle that begins with the grassroots of
the Synod will encourage 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 to be enhanced in all four years of the cycle; and
Whereas, Districts and circuits are component parts of the Synod;
and
Whereas, Congregations, which historically are the basic unit of
the Synod, influence and convince one another by the power of the

275

Word through the structural channels of the circuits, districts, and
national Synod, which structure is intended to broaden and amplify
the participation and voice of the congregations as well as provide
support to each congregation by the Synod as a whole; and
Whereas, 2010 Res. 8-02A resolved to restore circuits to their primary purpose of walking together “for mutual care, support, advice,
study [in-depth discussion of theological and missiological issues],
ecclesiastical encouragement, service, coordination, resources, and
counsel—all for the sake of greater congregational participation in
God’s mission” (Bylaw 5.1.1); and
Whereas, The importance of generative leadership and matters
coming from a congregation, a circuit forum (influenced by the circuit theological convocations), or a district convention (influenced by
the district and circuit theological convocations) to a convention of
the national Synod is well served by a four-year cycle; and
Whereas, A process is in place for the grassroots engagement of
congregations, circuits, and districts in identifying and developing
Synod-wide mission and ministry emphases (Synod priorities and
goals) on a cycle consistent with the convention schedule and which
will provide a common focus for the entire LCMS as we engage in
ministry together; and
Whereas, It is desirable to be the best stewards of both the time
and the money of the congregations, districts, and national Synod; and
Whereas, The potential for significant economic savings would
be realized through congregations of Synod being assessed for a district and national convention every four years rather than every three
years; and
Whereas, Once decisions are made at each level of governance,
a four-year cycle gives elected officials sufficient time to implement
the work of the church at each level; and
Whereas, This recommendation of changing to a four-year cycle
received 69 percent agreement at the 2009 district conventions; and
Whereas, A change in the convention cycle requires amendment
of the Synod’s Constitution (Art. VIII A and B); therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS adopt a four-year cycle for district and
national conventions; and be it further
Resolved, That in the four-year cycle, circuits are encouraged to
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
Resolved, That Constitution Art. VIII A and B be amended to
read as follows:
Article VIII Synodical Meetings Conventions of the National
Synod
A. Time and Legality of Meetings
1. The Synod convenes every three four years for its regular
convention.
2. For a legal convention a constitutional convocation calling
of the meeting convention and the presence of at least onefourth of the constitutionally elected voting representatives
delegates are necessary.
B. Special Conventions of the Synod
1. The Synod may under circumstances call a special session
convention if two-thirds of the voting representatives delegates present so decide.
2. In cases of urgent necessity, a special session convention
may be called by the President with the consent of two-thirds
of the district presidents or by three-fourths of the district
presidents without the consent of the President; however, all
congregations and other members of the Synod must be notified 30 days in advance and told for what purpose this extra

2013 Convention Workbook