9-23

To Affirm Regional Selection of Board Members

This is official source text extracted from the 2026 LCMS Convention Workbook. It is distinct from analysis or commentary. Check official LCMS convention materials for final authority.

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Official Workbook overture source text

Overture: 9-23

Workbook page: 480

Source pages: 480

Source status: source checked / public

Submitter: Southeastern District

Ov. 9-23

To Affirm Regional Selection of Board Members

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church —Missouri Synod is a nationwide church body with diverse regional, cultural, and missional contexts; and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Board of Directors (BOD), Board for National Mission (BNM), and Board for International Mission (BIM) exercise governance and mission oversight that affect congregations and districts across all regions of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Bylaws establish regional representation in the composition of the BOD (Bylaw 3.3.4.1), the BNM (Bylaw 3.8.2.3), and the BIM (Bylaw 3.8.3.3); and

WHEREAS, Regional representation in board membership helps ensure that decisions are informed by the lived realities, mission opportunities, and challenges present throughout the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has historically valued broad participation and shared responsibility in its governance and mission structures;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm the principle of regional selection and representation in the nomination and election of members to the Synod’s BOD, BNM, and BIM; and be it further

Resolved , That the appropriate Synod entities be encouraged to continue or strengthen processes that provide for balanced regional representation on these boards, so that the governance and mission leadership of the Synod reflects the breadth of its districts and ministries.

Board of Directors Southeastern District

Source record notice

Official Workbook source text remains separate from any clearly labeled draft discernment material. Review status is source checked.

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Structure and Administration

Themes

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Missional Governance Procedural Pastoral

Citations

Workbook source for 9-23: LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook, p. 480

Draft discernment material

AI Summary and Discernment Aid

This section is an AI-assisted summary and prayer guide based on a draft discernment document. It is not official LCMS material, not a substitute for the Workbook, and not a substitute for reading the full overture. Please read the complete overture text below before forming conclusions, speaking publicly, or voting.

The draft guide summarizes the apparent direction this way. Readers should compare this with the full overture text and any floor committee action.

Floor Committee 9: Structure and Administration

Summary and possible impact

The resolves appear to ask the church body to affirm Regional Selection of Board Members. In plain language, this overture is trying to move the stated concern into convention action by directing specific offices, boards, congregations, or workers toward action, encouraging local, district, or synodwide support without necessarily creating a mandate. Main actors named or implied include districts, Synod in convention, Synod officers or boards. The overture contains about 2 resolve clauses, so delegates should read each clause rather than reacting only to the title. Its impact depends on how a floor committee rewrites, combines, refers, or declines it, since overtures often become part of broader resolutions. Delegates should read the final committee resolution carefully rather than assuming the original overture language will come to the floor unchanged. Support it if it strengthens Gospel proclamation, the means of grace, faithful congregational life, and the sending of Christ's people. Seek amendment or oppose it if it weakens confession, obscures Law and Gospel, burdens local ministry, or turns a preference into a rule.

Prayer for discernment

Lord Jesus Christ, risen Shepherd of Your Church, guide our delegates and leaders as they weigh this overture. Keep them captive to Your Word, joyful in the Lutheran confession, sober under Your Law, and bold in Your Gospel. Bless good order, accountable leadership, and trust among congregations. Give courage to support what serves Your truth and mission, humility to amend what is unclear or excessive, and faithfulness to reject what would burden consciences, obscure the forgiveness of sins, or distract from Your sending. Let all things serve the proclamation that Christ is risen, sinners are forgiven, and Your Church is sent in love. Amen.

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