Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 3. pp. 339-341. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 8-02A
Canonical number: 8-02
Committee: Finance
Source: Today's Business, Issue 3
Printed pages: pp. 339-341
PDF pages: 31-33
Version: revised, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 3, pp. 339-341
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 3, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 339
- To Amend Bylaw Section 3.7 to Clarify Additional Assigned Responsibilities and Provisions
- on the Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans / Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services
- RESOLUTION 8-02A
- Reports R1, R1.2–1.2.2, R1.2.4–R1.3, R5–R8, R15–57 (CW, 1–5, 15–28, 31–37, 46–56, 95–141); Overtures 8-01–02
- (CW, 437–38)
- WHEREAS, Bylaw section 3.7 currently describes the responsibilities of Concordia Plan Services (CPS) and those it
- serves in terms that no longer fully reflect its present scope of responsibilities and service. For example, this year Synod’s
- Board of Directors (BOD) has authorized formation of an entity, Concordia Risk Solutions, a captive insurance
- company, to provide for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance within the Synod, an activity the BOD
- delegated to the Board of Directors —Concordia Plan Services consistent with Commission on Constitutional Matters
- (CCM) Opinion 24-3043, “Concordia Plan Services Property Casualty Insurance Program” (minutes of the BOD, May
- 23–24, 2026, item 199 [M]); and
- WHEREAS, The same opinion (CCM Op. 24-3043) recommended that “the Synod Bylaw description of the work of
- CPS to be amended by the next convention to include this new activity, even if already entered into”; and
- WHEREAS, The change of the bylaw should clarify that amendments are intended to include the synodwide trust
- manager, CPS, under the same provision for assignment of additional areas of work by the BOD to be consistent with
- Bylaw 3.6.1.1; and
- WHEREAS, The sophistication of the services being provided continue to increase, the proposed amendments would
- update board composition and qualification requirements to reflect the expertise necessary for overseeing benefit,
- investment, and captive insurance company operations, and to otherwise align with the operations and requirements of
- the Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans and the Board of Directors —Concordia Plan Services; therefore be it
- Resolved, That Bylaw section 3.7 be amended as follows:
Page 340
- PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
- 3.7 Synodwide Trust Entities
- 3.7.1 The synodwide trust entities of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are collectively known as the
- Concordia Plans.
- The Concordia Plans
- …
- 3.7.1.2 Concordia Plan Services is also responsible for managing other ancillary programs, including various
- supplemental insurance and administration services programs and the Support Program, and Concordia
- Risk Solutions.
- (a) The Support Program of the Synod is not a trust but rather a program of financial assistance to
- those eligible ordained and commissioned ministers and their eligible dependents who are in financial
- need. This aid is in the form of a gift from the budgeted funds of the Synod. Eligibility standards shall
- be determined by the Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services.
- (b) There exists and may be added in the future various ancillary supplemental insurance and
- administration services that will be made available to member organizations and their
- employeesmember congregations and their schools, corporate Synod, and agencies, auxiliaries, and
- recognized service organizations of The Lutheran Church —Miss ouri Synod and their employees .
- These programs are not trusts and will be under the supervision of the Board of Directors—Concordia
- Plan Services.
- (c) Concordia Risk Solutions serves as a captive insurance company to insure and/or reinsure risks of
- member congregations and their schools, corporate Synod, and agencies, auxiliaries, and recognized
- service organizations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
- 3.7.1.3 The Board of Trustees of Concordia Plans and the Board of Directors of Concordia Plan Services shall
- consist of 16 members. The 15 voting members shall be appointed by the Board of Directors of the Synod.
- All newly appointed members shall begin service on the September 1 following appointment, except with
- an appointment to fill a vacancy, when service shall begin on the first day of the month in which the next
- regular meeting of members occurs after appointment. The representative designated by the Board of
- Directors of the Synod shall be the nonvoting member. Voting members shall be appointed to three -year
- terms, which shall not exceed four terms in a successive period. The 15 voting members shall include:
- 1. Two ministers of religion—ordained
- 2. One minister of religion—commissioned
- 3. Twelve laypersons, at least fivethree of whom shall be significantly experienced in the design of
- employee benefit plans (at least one in health and one in retirement) , at least fivethree of whom shall
- be significantly experienced in the management of benefit plan or institutional investments, preferably,
- on a scale at least comparable to that of the Plans, and at least one two of whom shall have significant
- financial/audit experience. In addition, each layperson appointed shall possess significant experience
- in at least one of the foregoing or of the following, preferably of a scope and scale commensurate with
- the work of the Plans: benefit, employment, insurance, or religious organization law; health care or
- health benefit administration; governance or administration of complex organizations, including those
- of the Synod; health or benefit public policy; regulatory compliance; or actuarial science.
- 3.7.1.4 The Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans and the Board of Directors —Concordia Plan Services shall have
- all general and incidental powers and duties appropriate for the performance of their functions (as described
- in these Bylaws, including Bylaw 1.2.1 [d–e]), . In addition, the Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans will
- have as well as the powers and duties set forth in the respective plans, as amended from time to time. For
- the purposes of this bylaw, “the board” refers to the trustees/directors acting either as the Board of
- Trustees—Concordia Plans or Board of Directors —Concordia Plan Services, as appropriate to the case.
- ItThe board may create or amend any plan within limits established by the Board of Directors of the Synod
- so long as such changes are reported to the Synod’s Board of Directors, since such power is finally vested
- in the Synod’s Board of Directors.
- (a) When the Board of Trustees — Concordia Plans is carrying out its functions with respect to any
- such separate plan, it may be designated as the board of trustees of such separate plan.
- (b) When the board is carrying out its functions generally, it may be designated as the “Board of
- Trustees—Concordia Plans of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.”
- (c) The board may, at its own discretion, make investment decisions or select and utilize investment
- counsel and select agents and actuaries.
Page 341
- (d) ItThe board shall design for the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s
- approval benefit plans which compare favorably with other similar plans while meeting unique needs
- of the full-time church workers in the Synod.
- (e) ItT he board shall provide copies of all audit reports to the Board of Directors of The Lutheran
- Church—Missouri Synod for information, advice, and counsel.
- (f) ItThe board s hall settle disputes which arise in enrollment in the plans and the payment of claims
- and benefits.
- (g) The board shall organize itself and elect a chair and vice-ch air:
- (1) At the first meeting following September 1 after each convention of the Synod; and
- (2) Otherwise, if a majority of the board so determines in the first meeting following
- appointment of a new individual or individuals to the boards.
- 3.7.1.5 The position of chief executive shall be filled according to the process outlined in Bylaw 3.6.1.5.
- 3.7.1.6 The assignment of new areas of responsibility, beyond those assigned in the Bylaws, to Concordia
- Plan Services or to any of its subordinates listed in Bylaw 3.7.1.2, shall be according to the process
- outlined in Bylaw 3.6.1.1.
- and be it further
- Resolved, That Bylaw 3.6.1.1 be amended as follows:
- PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
- 3.6 Synodwide Corporate Entities
- General Principles
- …
- 3.6.1.1 Formation of a synodwide corporate entity, or assignment of a new area of responsibility to an existing
- one, shall require the approval of the Synod in convention or the Board of Directors of the Synod.
- (a) At least six (6) months prior to such approval of the formation of a synodwide corporate entity, or
- sixty (60) days prior to the assignment of a new area of responsibility to an existing corporate entity,
- an announcement thereof shall be given in an official publication of the Synod together with a detailed
- explanation of the problems or factors that make the formation of the proposed synodwide corporate
- entity or assignment of new responsibility advisable or necessary.
- (b) The announcement shall include an invitation for members of the Synod to submi t comments
- thereon to the Board of Directors of the Synod.
- (c) If the Board of Directors forms a new entity or assigns a new area of responsibility, it shall report
- its action to the Synod promptly and in a special report to the next Synod convention and it shall
- propose bylaw amendments reflecting the new entity or assignment.
