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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 483

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

STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION
Ov. 9-28

To Amend Bylaw 3.2.4.1 to Limit Terms of Office
for President, First Vice-President,
Regional Vice-Presidents, and Secretary
WHEREAS, The Lord gifts all people with many and diverse gifts;
and
WHEREAS, Paul acknowledges this truth in 1 Corinthians 12:28–
31 with reference specifically to the Office of the Holy Ministry,
where it is written, “And God has appointed in the church first
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts
of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work
miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with
tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts”; and
WHEREAS, The Lord has gifted the church with many faithful
men who possess the gifts of leadership and administration; and
WHEREAS, We are discouraged from trusting in human princes—
precisely because of their humanity—rather than in God who alone
saves and endows all pastors with these various gifts, as it is written
in Psalm 146:3, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in
whom there is no salvation”; and
WHEREAS, All elected offices in the world and in the church,
including the elected offices of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, are often very stressful and take their toll on any and all who
hold them; and
WHEREAS, We should always be concerned for the physical,
emotional, and spiritual welfare of all who hold office in our Synod,
that they not become negatively impacted by their work and are
encouraged to return to their lives after service, healthy at all levels;
and
WHEREAS, One of the benefits of term limitation is that it focuses
the office holder by helping him to see what limits there are to his
time and the authority of his office; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has already seen the wisdom of limiting
the tenure of board and commission members; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Terms of Office
3.2.4.1
As to reelection, theThe offices of President, the first VicePresident, regional vice-presidents, and Secretary shall be without
limitation as to reelectionlimited to four consecutive terms or a
maximum of 15 years lifetime in one particular office.
…

and be it further
Resolved, That this amendment take immediate effect, meaning
that the count of consecutive terms begin with the convention at
which the amendment is adopted.
Circuit 21 (Oconomowoc)
South Wisconsin District
Ov. 9-29

To Amend Bylaw 3.2.4.1 to Establish Term Limits
for Elected Synod Officers
WHEREAS, The Synod is and has been served by the varied gifts
and abilities of those who are elected by the Synod to serve as

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officers, members of boards, and members of commissions of the
Synod; and
WHEREAS, Those individuals elected by the Synod are, during
their term of office, using their gifts and abilities to the fullest extent
in furtherance of the Synod’s life together, such that the duties and
obligations of said officers and positions by necessity require
tremendous focus and dedication by those elected thereto, at times
to the exclusion or diminishment of their vocations to family and
neighbor; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has been abundantly blessed by God with
faithful men and women throughout its member congregations and
its rosters of ordained and commissioned ministers with a multitude
of gifts and abilities who are capable of serving the Synod in the
offices and positions elected by the Synod, such that no officer,
board member, or commission member is irreplaceable; and
WHEREAS, There is not uniformity of practice within the Synod
with regard to term limits, as the offices of President of Synod, First
Vice-President, regional vice-presidents, and Secretary of Synod
are without limitation while members of all boards and
commissions of the Synod are subject to limitations; and
WHEREAS, Term limits facilitate good order and harmony within
the Synod, requiring the intentional selection of perspectives, gifts,
and abilities well suited to the furtherance of the Synod’s work
together in order to proclaim and witness to the nation and world;
and
WHEREAS, Term limits demonstrate and affirm care for those
who serve the Synod in the offices and positions elected by the
Synod; and
WHEREAS, Term limits remind the members of the Synod that
our hope, confidence, and trust rests and resides in Christ and Christ
alone, the head of the Church; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Terms of Office
3.2.4.1
TheThose holding the offices of President, the first First
Vice-President, regional vice-presidentsvice-president, and
Secretary shall be without limitation as to reelection ineligible for
reelection to the same office after serving a total of four (4)
successive three-year terms, unless otherwise provided in the
Bylaws.
(a) Service in said offices for more than one-half of a term shall
be regarded as a full term under limited tenure rules.
(b) Any officer who is ineligible for reelection to an office may
be elected or appointed to another office or position.
(ac) If the President, First Vice-President, or Secretary are not
reelected or do not stand for re-election, they shall continue to
receive full salary for a period of six (6) months while rendering
transitional service.
(bd) Such service and salary will cease at the time such person
accepts another full-time position.
(ce) Before his successor assumes office, the outgoing President
shall use the intervening time to settle the affairs of his
administration and assist the newly elected President as requested
to become acquainted with the responsibilities of the office.

and be it further
Resolved, That the limitation established by Bylaw 3.2.4.1 as
amended shall be applied, imposed, and effective for all elections
held on or after Sept. 2, 2026.

2026 Convention Workbook