Before 8:30
- Read all six consent items.
- Coordinate removal requests early.
- Confirm the threshold from the chair.
- Review the exact wording of 5-12, 8-03, and 9-16A.
Delegate Procedure Guide
Field Guide for Delegates
Practical help for following the Standing Rules, addressing the chairman, making motions, offering amendments, submitting written wording, and participating clearly and charitably on the convention floor.
Revised Standing Rule 22
Official text: A motion to close debate ("call the question") shall apply only to the immediately pending question. (added in Session 4)
Practical explanation: Calling the question on an amendment closes debate only on that amendment. Once it is decided, debate may resume on the resulting main motion.
Open Issue 4, printed page 373Wednesday Consent Calendar
Before 8:20, read 3-03A and 3-05A, confirm the operative consent threshold, and coordinate any removal request early. Issue 6 retains the 15-percent versus ten-percent wording inconsistency. Delegates should follow the amended standing rule and the chair's ruling.
Open Issue 6, printed page 432Wednesday preparation
Before committees and elections
- Committee 9: read the 9-10A and 9-13 amendments.
- Committee 7: read the 7-08A amendment.
- Committee 5: read the 5-09A amendment.
- Elections: use the newest candidate slate and review Commission on Worship additions and correction.
This is practical preparation, not a prediction that any amendment will necessarily reach the floor.
Final-day preparation
- At schedule consideration, determine whether the adopted or proposed schedule controls. Do not infer the 9:45 adjournment before formal action.
- For Resolution 10-08, clarify when ratification occurs, the vote threshold, and whether “as determined by the Synod President” creates sole discretion.
- Ask one precise question, offer one narrow motion, and stop.
Repeated Thursday luggage storage notice
Use hotel bell service first. When hotel luggage storage is unavailable, luggage storage is available Thursday in Room 106-C from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Source: Today's Business, Issue 6, printed page 448.
National Offering Notice
Issue 4 reports a Saturday ingathering of $60,750 and a total received thus far of nearly $750,000. Gifts could be brought to the LCMS booth in the Exhibit Hall through Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. Source: Today's Business, Issue 4, printed page 400.
Open Issue 4 noticeIssue 2B notice for bylaw-language amendments
Amendments must be presented in writing and to the floor committee. Amendments to bylaw language should be examined by the Commission on Constitutional Matters and the Commission on Handbook before being offered from the floor. Publication in Today's Business is ideal. Source: Today's Business, Issue 2B, page 306.
Open the full official noticeSource posture
This page is a study and preparation aid, not an official LCMS convention ruling. Always follow the latest Today's Business, the adopted Standing Rules, the LCMS Handbook, the chair, the Secretary, and the parliamentarian.
Quick path
Quick Delegate Floor Process
1
Read the current business
Open Today's Business and identify the exact resolution, omnibus item, or pending motion.
Today's Business2
Check the rules
Review the Standing Rules, especially consent calendar, omnibus handling, microphone queue, debate limits, amendments, substitutes, and closing debate.
Standing Rules Guide PDF3
Write exact words
An amendment changes wording. Name the resolution, page, line, whereas, or resolved clause. Write the exact strike, insert, strike-and-insert, or added resolve.
Amendment Guide PDF4
Test germaneness
Ask whether the amendment has the same subject, action, actor, effect, and authority.
5
Submit when possible
Send written amendment wording to the floor committee or Secretary process before floor action when possible.
6
Speak through the chair
Register at the microphone, wait to be recognized, identify yourself, state your motion or question, and provide written wording when needed.
Chairman Cheat Sheet PDF7
Keep Christ and the Gospel central
Speak clearly, briefly, and charitably. The goal is faithful order serving the church's confession and witness.
Microphone scripts
What do I say?
Safe opening
"Mr. Chairman, [Name], [District], voting delegate. I rise to [purpose]."
Offer amendment
"I move to amend Resolution ___ by striking '***' and inserting '***.'"
Add a resolve
"I move to amend Resolution ___ by adding the following resolved clause: 'Resolved, That...'"
Request information
"Request for information: Would the floor committee clarify whether this language requires action or merely encourages action?"
Parliamentary inquiry
"Parliamentary inquiry: What motion is proper if I want this matter sent back to committee?"
Point of order
"Point of order. I believe the pending motion is not germane."
Remove from omnibus
"I move to remove Overture ___ from Omnibus ___ and refer it to Floor Committee ___ for action."
Close debate
"I move the previous question."
Print and carry
Delegate Field Guide PDF Library
Start Here: Convention Floor BasicsOpen group
Standing Rules Explained
Standing Rules guide
Plain-language explanation of the proposed convention Standing Rules, including consent calendar, omnibus resolutions, microphone queues, debate limits, substitute motions, floor nominations, voting, and electronic-device expectations.
How, When, and Why to Make a Motion
Motion and floor participation guide
A practical guide for knowing when to debate, when to move, when to amend, when to refer, when to ask for information, and how to use motions faithfully and clearly on the convention floor.
Amendments: Create, Share, and Bring WordingOpen group
Amendment Guide Printables Bundle
Amendment printables bundle
A printable packet explaining the amendment path: name the resolution, write exact wording, test germaneness, submit to the floor committee, ask for publication in Today's Business, and bring written copies for the Secretary.
Amendment Guide Letter Double-Sided
Letter-size amendment guide
A compact double-sided guide for preparing and defending an amendment, including model wording, the germane test, and microphone language.
Amendment Guide Index Card
3x5 amendment card
A pocket-size amendment card with the safe amendment path, subject line, germaneness test, and short mic script.
Addressing the Chairman and Speaking at the MicrophoneOpen group
Address Chairman Printables Bundle
Chairman and microphone printables bundle
A printable bundle for addressing the chairman, choosing the right floor purpose, using ready-to-say phrases, and keeping comments brief, germane, and charitable.
Address Chairman Cheat Sheet, Two-Sided
Two-sided floor cheat sheet
A two-sided floor cheat sheet with the safe opening, common floor purposes, ready-to-use phrases, and two-minute debate frame.
Address Chairman Cheat Sheet, Letter
Letter-size floor cheat sheet
A one-page letter-size guide for registering at the microphone, addressing the chair, asking questions, offering amendments, and speaking clearly.
Address Chairman Index Card
3x5 microphone card
A pocket-size card for the safe opening, fast floor phrases, and common motions.
Committee-Specific Examples, Optional Practice ToolsThese guides show how the amendment method can be applied to particular floor committee business. Use them as examples of preparing amendment language, not as general rules for every resolution.Open group
Floor Committee 1 Chairman and Delegation Amendment Guide
Committee-specific amendment example
An example of applying the amendment method to Floor Committee 1, National Witness, with delegation huddle language, amendment templates, and resolution-by-resolution preparation.
Floor Committee 1 Amendment Field Guide
Committee-specific field guide
A focused amendment field guide for Floor Committee 1, showing how to prepare local-context, accountability, and Gospel-use amendments.
Floor Committee 2 Chairman and Delegation Amendment Guide
Committee-specific amendment example
An example of applying the amendment method to Floor Committee 2, International Witness, with mission-focused amendment language and microphone-ready framing.
Practice media
Videos and Podcasts for Delegate Floor Practice
Use these media resources to prepare for floor participation, understand Standing Rules, make motions, offer amendments, and speak clearly at the microphone.
2026 Convention Field Guide Videos
Watch the video playlist for delegate floor practice, including Standing Rules, motions, and amendments.
2026 Convention Field Guide AI Podcasts
Listen to the AI podcast playlist for delegate preparation on Standing Rules, motions, and amendments.
Exact individual video and podcast links can be added here later. Until then, topic buttons open the appropriate playlist without claiming a direct item link.
Standing Rules
Start here to understand how the convention's rules shape floor debate, consent calendar, omnibus handling, amendments, substitutes, and votes.
How to Handle Motions
Learn when to debate, when to move, when to refer, when to ask for information, and how to speak clearly through the chair.
How to Bring Up Amendments
Learn how to write exact wording, test germaneness, submit amendment language, and offer it clearly at the microphone.
Keep moving
Next Faithful Step
Official Source
Today's Business
Open the current official convention packet before making procedural decisions.
Study AidAmendments
Use the broader amendment drafting guide when wording needs source checks.
Media GuideGuidance
Use the Guidance page for delegate media, briefing aids, and prayer resources.
Prayer ResourcePrayer
Pray before speaking, amending, voting, or asking others to act.
Review before floor use
This field guide is a preparation aid. Before speaking at the microphone, compare your wording with Today's Business, the adopted Standing Rules, the LCMS Handbook, and the direction of the chair, Secretary, and parliamentarian.
