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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 227

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

THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
Way Forward

Way Forward

Detailed Framework
Paragraph
10.2.5

From
Upon the receipt of a written
allegation pursuant to the
preceding Section 10.2.3 or an
appeal pursuant to the preceding
Section 10.2.4, the Bishop shall
endeavour to meet the intent
stated in the preceding Section
10.1. If successful, the Bishop shall
record that the case is closed. If
unsuccessful, the Bishop may, in his
discretion

10.2.5.5

take such other steps as he
considers pastorally appropriate.

10.3.4

Upon the receipt of an appeal
pursuant to the preceding Section
10.3.3, the Bishop of the respective
District shall endeavour to meet the
intent stated in the preceding
Section 10.1. If successful, the Bishop
of the respective District shall record
that the case is closed. If
unsuccessful, the Bishop of the
respective District may, in his
discretion

10.3.4.4

take such other steps as he
considers pastorally appropriate.

10.4.10

The Tribunal which determines the
pastor, teacher or other church
worker has breached Article 10.1.2
of the Constitution shall make a
recommendation to the respective
Bishop as to the disciplinary action
to be taken by him. The
recommendation shall be officially
recorded by the respective
Secretary.

Detailed Framework

To
Add ‘or her’:

The following changes to the LCA by-Laws are proposed to enable congregations and
parishes to stipulate male-only candidates on call lists.

Upon the receipt of a written
allegation pursuant to the
preceding Section 10.2.3 or an
appeal pursuant to the preceding
Section 10.2.4, the Bishop shall
endeavour to meet the intent
stated in the preceding Section
10.1. If successful, the Bishop shall
record that the case is closed. If
unsuccessful, the Bishop may, in his
or her discretion
Add ‘or she’:

Paragraph
5.4.9.1

take such other steps as he or she
considers pastorally appropriate.
Add ‘or her’:
Upon the receipt of an appeal
pursuant to the preceding Section
10.3.3, the Bishop of the respective
District shall endeavour to meet
the intent stated in the preceding
Section 10.1. If successful, the
Bishop of the respective District
shall record that the case is
closed. If unsuccessful, the Bishop
of the respective District may, in his
or her discretion
Add ‘or she’:

From
The Bishop of the District or the
Bishop's representative shall
convene a meeting of
representatives of the parish to
consider candidates proposed by
the Bishop or the Bishop's
representative on behalf of the
Church Council of the District, by
the representatives of the parish,
and by any member of the parish
through its secretary.

Paragraph
Article 8.1

From
The Officials of the Church shall be
a Bishop and an Assistant Bishop.
They shall be elected for a term of
office determined by the Church.
The Bishop and the Assistant Bishop
shall be pastors of the Church.

To
The Officials of the Church shall be
a Bishop and an Assistant Bishop.
They shall be elected for a term of
office determined by the Church.
The Bishop and the Assistant Bishop
shall be pastors of the Church who
have served on the LCA Roll of
Pastors for at least six [6] years.

take such other steps as he or she
considers pastorally appropriate.
Add ‘or her’:
The Tribunal which determines the
pastor, teacher or other church
worker has breached Article 10.1.2
of the Constitution shall make a
recommendation to the
respective Bishop as to the
disciplinary action to be taken by
him or her. The recommendation
shall be officially recorded by the
respective Secretary.

Page 35 of 50

Way Forward

Way Forward

Detailed Framework
From
All pastors whose names are
recorded on the Roll of Pastors of
the Church, excluding pastors
emeriti, are eligible for the position
of Bishop and Assistant Bishop.

To
A parish may stipulate that only
male pastors be included on the
candidates' list for call. The Bishop
of the District or the Bishop's
representative shall convene a
meeting of parish representatives
to consider candidates proposed
by the Bishop or the Bishop's
representative on behalf of the
Church Council of the District, by
the representatives of the parish,
and by any member of the parish
through its secretary.

The following changes to the LCA constitution and by-laws are proposed to implement a
requirement for pastors to serve a minimum period before eligibility for nomination for
bishop or assistant bishop:

Page 34 of 50

Paragraph
7.4.1.2

227

To
All pastors whose names are
recorded on the Roll of Pastors of
the Church, excluding pastors
emeriti, are eligible for the position
of Bishop and Assistant Bishop,
subject to:
7.4.1.2.1 Having served on the LCA
Roll of Pastors for a
minimum of six [6] years
prior to nomination.
7.4.1.2.2 Having served in various
settings within the Church,
demonstrating breadth of
experience and
adaptability.
7.4.1.2.3 The nominations
committee verifying that
all nominees meet these
eligibility requirements
before presenting their
names for consideration.

Detailed Framework
10.4.7 Agencies (eg Australian Lutheran College, Lutheran Education Australia, ALWS)
Under the Framework, an agency that is a calling body may call the pastor who best
aligns with its ministry plans.
10.4.8 Auxiliaries
The Framework does not require changes to the operation of LCA auxiliaries.

10.4.3 Ordination, Roll of Pastors and calls
The Framework removes gender as a criterion for ordination but does not require other
changes in the candidacy requirements for ordination in the LCA. The Framework does
not require changes to the processes for receiving pastors onto, or removing pastors
from, the LCA Roll of Pastors.
Under the Framework, congregations and parishes are able to stipulate that only males
are on their call lists.
10.4.4 Relationships
The Framework does not require changes to the relationship between implementation of
the Churchwide office and District offices or the relationship between these offices and
congregation or parishes.
10.4.5 Governance and structures
The Framework does not require changes in governance, incorporation or structure of
the Church (LCA), including the composition of the College of Bishops.
10.4.6 Finance and risk management
The Framework does not require changes to the operating finances or asset/liability
ownership of the LCA.

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2026 Convention Workbook