LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 211

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9. STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

To Appoint a Task Force
to Prepare the 2026 Convention
to Consider Implementing
a Four-Year Convention Cycle

accomplished by providing financial resources and related
services to support rostered church workers, congregations,
schools, recognized service organizations, auxiliaries,
districts, colleges, universities, and synodwide corporate
entities (“traditional support”).

RESOLUTION 9-09A

Two recent opinions of the Synod’s Commission on
Constitutional Matters (CCM Op. 23-3003, “Scope of Board of
Directors Authority to Approve Usage of Lutheran Church
Extension Fund Assets under Bylaw 3.6.4.4.1”; CCM Op. 233005, “Lutheran Church Extension Fund Canada
Corporation”), issued in response to questions raised by LCEF,
clarify that LCEF under current Synod Bylaws may not provide
support to church bodies with which the Synod is in altar and
pulpit fellowship (partner churches) or other church bodies
working cooperatively with the Synod (“outreach support”).
Specifically, one opinion constrains the authority of LCEF to
provide financial resources and related services to be only
“within the Synod” (Bylaw 3.6.4), thus prohibiting LCEF from
providing financial resources and related services to support
activities outside of the Synod itself, even if such activities
were determined by the Synod Board of Directors (BOD) to be
within the strategic and operational scope of the Synod’s
ministry, witness, and outreach. The second opinion goes
further, stating that although Lutheran church bodies in
Brazil, Argentina, and Canada were once a part of Synod, they
are now established, independent partner churches, no longer
“within the Synod” (Bylaw 3.6.4), and are, therefore, not
eligible for the support of the financial resources and related
services that might be provided by LCEF. The effect of the
opinion is that LCEF may not make its financial resources and
related services available to partner churches, even were the
Synod BOD to determine that making such LCEF financial
resources and related services available would
advantageously support the Synod’s ministry, witness, and
outreach.

Overtures 9-06–10 (CW, 373–75)
Preamble
There were a number of overtures from districts and district
boards of directors calling for a four-year cycle, especially to
save in the financial costs of conventions. The savings would
be realized primarily through congregational assessments, a
savings of one less assessment over 12 years.
WHEREAS, A move from a three-year cycle to a four-year
cycle would have major implications for election cycles, terms
of office, staggering of terms, and many other unforeseen
issues that would arise for districts and the Synod; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention establish a task
force to consider the implications of adopting a four-year
convention cycle; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force prepare an overture or
overtures to implement a four-year convention cycle,
including necessary Constitution and Bylaw changes; and be
it further
Resolved, That the task force be composed of the Secretary
of Synod, two representatives from the Council of Presidents,
three district secretaries, the Commission on Handbook, and
the Commission on Constitutional Matters; and be it finally
Resolved, That the task force issue its report, including
overture or overtures, 18 months before the next Synod
convention.
Action: Declined (9)

Closure of debate was called and carried; the resolution as read
(to include “three district secretaries” in the task force) failed of
adoption [Yes: 309; No: 486].

To Amend Bylaws 3.6.4 and 3.6.4.4.1
to Clarify Use of
Lutheran Church Extension Fund
Financial Resources and Related Services
RESOLUTION 9-10A
Report LR67 (TB, 1:27–30); Overture L9-50 (TB, 1:76–77)
Preamble

Rationale
LCEF believes that the full exercise of its capacity and
expertise in the provision of financial resources and related
services—not only for “traditional support” but also to
support partner churches—is essential to accomplish the
ministry, witness, and outreach of the Synod. In certain
exceptional cases, when directed by the Synod President, this
same strategic rationale likewise pertains to outreach
support. As a result, LCEF is proposing the following
amendments to Bylaws 3.6.4 and 3.6.4.4.1 to clarify that the
LCEF Board of Directors may make financial resources and
related services available to partner churches and for outreach
support, provided that in each such instance the provision of
such financial resources and related services is approved by
the Synod BOD.
Therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaws 3.6.4 and 3.6.4.4.1 be amended as
follows:

The Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod
(LCEF) was “formed to provide financial resources and related
services for ministry, witness, and outreach of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod” (Bylaw 3.6.4). This is
Resolutions

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 211