To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Role of Commissioned Ministers at Synod Conventions

Official Workbook overture source text

9-35 
To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Role of 
Commissioned Ministers at Synod Conventions 
WHEREAS, There are well over 10,000 ministers of religion—
commissioned (including candidates and emeriti) who serve in roles 
such as classroom teachers, early childhood teachers, educational 
administrators, deaconesses, camp directors, directors of parish 
music, directors of Christian education, directors of Chri stian 
outreach, university professors, district and Synod staff, as well as 
in the foreign mission field; and 
WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers are considered advisory 
members at district and Synod conventions, with a representative 
voice, but no vote; and 
W
HEREAS, Various districts (Pacific Southwest, California -
Nevada-Hawaii, and Northern Illinois) have incorporated methods 
of hearing the guidance of commissioned ministers at their 
conventions using a non- binding advisory poll of the opinion of 
commissioned ministers, with results broadcast to the convention, 
prior to regular delegate votes on appropriate, non-election, 
convention actions, as determined by the chair; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has a legacy of promoting and supporting 
the role of non- ordained, full -time church workers with the 
establishment of Lutheran colleges dating back to the 1800s, 
initially designed to train classroom teachers, which has now been 
followed with the creating of specialized training programs for 
other commissioned ministry positions, as they have been 
established by the Synod; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod develop a similar process practiced by 
several district conventions by which the voice of representative 
advisory commissioned ministers be used during Synod convention 
business, incorporating a process of a non-binding poll, with results 
broadcast to the convention, prior to regular delegate votes on 
appropriate, non-election, convention actions, as determined by the 
chair; and be it further 
Resolved, That this action be memorialized to the 2026 Synod 
convention. 
California-Nevada-Hawaii District 
Ov.