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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 279

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

Structure and Ecclesiastical Matters
resources, facilities, fund development, and the administration of
complex organizations; and
Whereas, The 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:
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 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.

Nebraska District
7-43

7-44

To Apply Conditions of Synod Membership
to Certain Congregations
Whereas, Congregations of the Synod occasionally—for example, after years of decline in their number of members—wish to
continue existing formally even though they have ceased to have
church services; and
Whereas, The Synod’s Constitution lists as a condition both for
“acquiring and holding membership in the Synod,” among others,
“[e]xclusive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in church and school” (Art. VI 4), which involves using the
items listed for worship and instruction in the faith within congregations; and
Whereas, Synod Bylaw 1.3.1 notes that “Individual Christians
are joined together in a worshiping and serving community, the congregation,” further indicating the Synod’s anticipation that corporate
worship actually takes place in congregations; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Missouri District Board of Directors memorialize the Synod to
1. Declare of its congregations where church services are not conducted: these congregations are acting contrary to the conditions of
membership in the Synod (see Bylaw 2.14.1); and
2. Encourage any such member congregation to consult with its district
president to assess whether
a. It likely will again become “a worshiping and serving
community” where Word and Sacrament are regularly
proclaimed and administered; or
b. Circumstances require bringing the congregation’s history to a
thankful and peaceful close.

To Establish Term Limits for District Presidents
Whereas, All LCMS district presidents serve in a deliberative
body known as the Council of Presidents; and
Whereas, The standard governing the number of possible years a
district president may serve as a member of the Council of Presidents
varies from district to district; and
Whereas, The existence of varying possible lengths of service institutionalizes a system of inequality within the Council of
Presidents; and
Whereas, A spirit of equality and fundamental fairness should
permeate all our actions, especially those of our district and Synod
leadership; and
Whereas, Leadership development is encouraged by regular leadership changes; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod establish a maximum number of years of service for all district presidents;
and be it further
Resolved, That the maximum number of years for all district presidents be limited to twelve (12); and be it finally
Resolved, That this overture go into immediate effect, requiring all
districts of the LCMS to make the necessary changes to their bylaws
prior to the 2015 conventions of the Synod’s districts.
Board of Directors
English District

279

Missouri District Board of Directors
7-45

To Move 2016 Convention to 2017 in Honor
of 500th Anniversary of Lutheran Reformation
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod national convention is scheduled to meet in 2016; and
Whereas, The Year of our Lord 2017 is the 500th anniversary of
the Lutheran Reformation; and
Whereas, The LCMS would save substantial resources that could
be used to fund various missions and outreach by moving the convention back one year; therefore be it
Resolved, That the date for the national convention of the LCMS
be changed to 2017; and be it further
Resolved, That a national thank offering be gathered for the
2017 LCMS convention that will be designated to support seminary
education.
Board of Directors
South Wisconsin District
7-46

To Reject Blue Ribbon Task Force Recommended
Wording Change to Article VII
Whereas, Holy Scripture does not establish a worldly authoritative structure for the Church on earth: “One is your Master, even
Christ and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the
earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called
masters: for one is your Master, even Christ” (Matt. 23:8–10); “The
2013 Convention Workbook