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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 474

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

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

474

corporate Synod operations, and placed much power in the hands of
too few; and
WHEREAS, Enough time has elapsed between the 2010
restructuring and the present that the Synod is in a better position to
evaluate the costs and benefits, strengths and weaknesses of the
current structure; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commission a
reconsideration of corporate Synod structure, including but not
limited to the powers, composition, and representation of the Board
of Directors (BOD), the mission boards and offices, other councils,
committees, and boards (including the Pastoral Formation
Committee, the Seminary Boards of Regents, and the Concordia
University System Boards of Regents), with the goals of increasing
representation and accountability and reducing the potential for
abuse and misuse of power; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod charge the Office of the President
(OTP) with establishing a task force of no fewer than eight members
to include the Secretary of Synod, the Chief Financial Officer, the
Chief Administrative Officer, the Chief Mission Officer, and
additional representatives from the OTP, the BOD, the Commission
on Constitutional Matters, and the Commission on Handbook; and
be it finally
Resolved, That the task force submit its proposals at least nine
months in advance of the 2029 convention for consideration at that
convention.
Christ, La Mesa, CA; Circuit 9 (Decatur), Indiana District
Ov. 9-14

the authority and operation of the mission boards and offices;
and
• the structure and responsibilities of synodwide councils,
committees, and boards, including the Pastoral Formation
Committee, seminary boards of regents, and Concordia
University System boards of regents;
and be it further
Resolved, That this review be carried out with the express goal
of increasing the theological, congregational, and regional
representation in Synod governance; enhancing transparency and
accountability; and reducing the potential for institutional overreach
or misuse of authority; and be it further
Resolved, That the President of the Synod be directed to establish
a task force of no fewer than eight members, including:
• the Secretary of the Synod;
• the Chief Financial Officer;
• the Chief Administrative Officer;
• the Chief Mission Officer; and
• additional representatives from the Office of the President,
the BOD, the Commission on Constitutional Matters, and the
Commission on Handbook;
and be it finally
Resolved, That this task force present its findings and proposals
no later than nine months prior to the 2029 Synod convention, in
order that such proposals may be thoroughly reviewed and
considered for appropriate action.
•

South Lake
League City, TX

To Revisit 2010 Restructuring
WHEREAS, The Synod has periodically reviewed and revised its
structure to better serve its mission, with major restructuring efforts
undertaken in 1959, 1979, 1995, and most recently in 2010; and
WHEREAS, The 2010 Synod convention enacted substantial
structural reforms that significantly impacted the configuration and
responsibilities of boards, commissions, and agencies within the
Synod (2010 Res. 8-07, 8-08A, 8-10, 8-12A, 8-13, 8-14A, 8-15, 816A, 8-17, 8-36, 8-39, 8-40, 8-41); and
WHEREAS, These reforms have produced certain measurable
benefits, including a reduction in corporate Synod’s debt, a
streamlining of operations, and an increase in certain operational
efficiencies; and
WHEREAS, The same reforms also led to the elimination or
consolidation of many long-established boards and commissions,
decreased direct representation of member congregations within
Synod governance, and concentrated significant authority within a
small number of individuals or offices; and
WHEREAS, More than a decade has passed since the 2010
restructuring, providing sufficient time to assess both the gains and
the drawbacks of the current structural model with respect to
representation, theological accountability, fiscal stewardship, and
mission effectiveness; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commission a
comprehensive reconsideration of the corporate Synod structure,
including but not limited to:
• the powers and composition of the Board of Directors
(BOD);

2026 Convention Workbook

Ov. 9-15

To Amend Bylaw 3.6.4.3 to Increase the Number
of Lutheran Church Extension Fund Directors
Elected by the Synod in Convention
from Three to Four
Rationale
During a review of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)’s
Articles and Bylaws, the Commission on Constitutional Matters
stated the following in Opinion 24-3024, dated March 15–16, 2024:
“Synod Bylaw 3.6.1.3 (a) provides that a minimum of one-third
of the voting members of the governing board of a synodwide
corporate entity [including LCEF] shall be elected by the Synod
in convention. Thus, with three voting members elected by the
convention, LCEF’s board may contain no more than six
appointed voting members; it presently has eight.”
In order to comply with the opinion, LCEF must either: (i) reduce
the number of Directors elected by LCEF’s members from eight to
six, (ii) increase the number of Directors elected by the Synod in
convention from three to four, or (iii) implement some other
combination that complies with the mathematical conclusion of the
opinion. The Board of Directors of LCEF has resolved that it is in
the best interest of the good governance of LCEF, balancing the
need for sufficient voices with that to avoid having too many voices,
to increase the number of Directors elected by the Synod in
convention from three to four. To implement this change, it will be
necessary to revise Synod Bylaw 3.6.4.3 [1], a bylaw that only
applies to LCEF.