To Initiate Proposal to Realign Districts

Ov. 9-17

To Initiate Proposal to Realign Districts

WHEREAS, The Synod and its component parts, which include its districts, “serves as the structure through which congregations carry out certain functions that can be performed more effectively and efficiently together with other member congregations” (Bylaw 1.3.3); and

WHEREAS, The Synod “establishes districts in order more effectively to achieve its objectives and carry on its activities” (Bylaw 4.1.1) by “performing the functions of the Synod” (Bylaw 4.1.1.1); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has 35 districts which vary widely in the number of congregations, from 47 to 345, and communicant membership, from 6,287 to 116,967, with 13 districts having fewer than 125 congregations (The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, “District Locator,” locator.lcms.org/district); and

WHEREAS, The presidents of each district of the Synod sit on the Council of Presidents (COP) (Bylaw 3.10.1), which receives and gives counsel to the President of the Synod (Bylaw 3.10.1.2), provides opportunity for district presidents and the Praesidium of the Sy nod to counsel with one another on matters regarding the doctrine and administration of the Synod (Id.), serves as the Board of Assignments (Bylaw 3.10.1.3), and carries out such duties as the Synod in convention may give to the COP (Bylaw 3.10.1.4); and

WHEREAS, The variance in the number of congregations and communicant membership of the districts of the Synod results in each congregation and each communicant member not being equally represented at the COP, nor among the regional vicepresidents, on matters regarding the doctrine and administration of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Modern technology has enabled various functions to be carried out effectively and efficiently without regard to district organization; and

WHEREAS, Each district of the Synod must have a district president, at least two vice -presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, circuit visitors (Bylaw section 4.3), board of directors (Bylaw section 4.5), hold a district convention (Bylaw section 4.2), and conduct official conferences (Bylaw section 4.8), all of which offices, positions, conventions, and conferences have and incur expenses; and

WHEREAS, The Synod, and its districts, has an ongoing obligation to efficiently and effectively steward those gifts of time, talent, and treasure which God leads faithful men and women to provide through offering, gifts, and service; and

WHEREAS, The variance in the number of congregations and communicant membership of the districts of the Synod raises for reflection whether the districts of the Synod are effectively and efficiently carrying out their functions on behalf of the member congregations of each district; and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 4.1.1.3 (a) provides for realignment of districts to “be initiated by a national convention of the Synod”; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention hereby direct that a proposal be developed to realign the districts of the Synod such that each realigned district shall have not fewer than 125 member congregations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention hereby establishes a task force to develop said proposal in accordance with Bylaw 4.1.1.3, which task force shall comprise the district presidents from the six districts having the most member congregations and the five districts having the fewest member congregations as of July 1, 2026; and be it further

Resolved, That said proposal shall, in addition to those factors required to be addressed by Bylaw 4.1.1.3, address the issues of equal representation on the COP, stewardship, and efficiency in the organization and operation of the districts on behalf of the member congregations of the Synod and such other issues or factors as the task force shall identify; and be it finally

Resolved, That said proposal shall be submitted to the 2029 Synod convention.

St. John Seward, NE