LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 4–5, 2022, Page 6

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Background:
The overall topic of Bylaw section 3.1 is “National Conventions” of the Synod. Bylaw 3.1.2 addresses the
topic of voting delegates and their selection. Bylaw section 3.1.3 addresses the topic of advisory delegates
to the convention from commissioned and ordained members of the Synod and the process of selection.
Bylaw section 3.1.4 addresses the topic of other advisory representatives besides voting and advisory
delegates who are authorized to attend conventions of the Synod, representing a variety of entities and subgroups of the Synod. In addition to all officers of the Synod and all district presidents, who attend ex officio,
this representation is divided into five categories, which are authorized and expected to send representatives
to each convention of the Synod. In addition, there is a sixth category, which is permissive, allowing each
district to send two youth representatives if they should so choose.
Bylaw 3.1.4.1 specifies that each board or commission shall be represented at the convention. The general
rule (3.1.4.1 [a]) is that each Synodical board or commission shall be represented by its chairman or another
board or commission member and by its principal staff person. The bylaw does not discuss how these
individuals are selected, but presumably it would be by the respective board or commission. In addition,
the boards for National and International Mission are to be represented by their respective executive
directors. There are four exceptions to this general rule (3.1.4.1 [b]), namely, that the Synod’s Board of
Directors, Commission on Handbook, Commission on Constitutional Matters, and Commission on
Theology and Church Relations may be represented by as many of their members as they deem necessary.
With the Board of Directors and these commissions, there is no process specified regarding how a decision
would be reached, but presumably it would be by that board or commission.
Bylaw 3.1.4.2 (a) specifies that each educational institution of the Synod shall be represented by one
member of its board of regents (besides the president of the district who sits ex officio on the board and who
is an advisory representative to the convention in his own right), by its president, and by one faculty member
for each 30 members of the faculty who are members of the Synod. Bylaw 3.1.4.2 (b) specifies that
fractional groups are to be disregarded except that each institution is entitled to at least one faculty
representative. The bylaw does not specify by what procedure this faculty representative is to be selected
or by whom.
Bylaw 3.1.4.3 (a) specifies that each foreign mission area of the Synod (but no more than 10) is to be
represented by a missionary from that area who is home on leave, or if there are none home on leave, by a
terminating missionary from that area. In this case the Bylaw specifies how these individuals are to be
selected, which is by the Board for International Missions in consultation with the field authority for each
of the fields.
Bylaw 3.1.4.4 specifies that military chaplains from each branch of the military are to be represented.
3.1.4.4 (a) indicates that these are to be selected from active-duty chaplains stationed in the United States.
3.1.4.4 (b) indicates that they are to be approved by the Board for National Missions nine months prior to
the convention, however, how they are selected before they are approved by the Board for National
Missions is not designated in the Bylaws.
Bylaw 3.1.4.5 specifies that each district board of directors is to be represented by one member of the board
and one of the district executive staff. If a district has no executive staff, then it may select two members
of the board of directors. While not specifically detailed, the implication is that the board selects which
member is to represent it.
Bylaw section 3.1.3 previously addressed the selection of nonvoting advisory commissioned and ordained
delegates of a district to a convention of the Synod. All commissioned ministers and all ordained ministers
who are not eligible to be elected as voting delegates or eligible to attend under any category of Bylaw
section 3.1.4 are eligible to be selected as nonvoting advisory delegates from their respective category to a
convention of the Synod. Bylaw 3.1.3.1 (a) specifies that each group (ordained or commissioned) selects
those who will represent it, and further specifies the manner of selection.
CCM Minutes – November 4–5, 2022 – Page 124