Resolutions
Resolution results tagged Governance. Theme tags are a conservative research aid, not official LCMS classifications.
47 results in Governance.
To Address Concerns with Partner Churches RESOLUTION 5-04 Overtures 5-03–09 (CW, 337–41) WHEREAS, The psalmist writes, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls
To Address Concordia Publishing House Shipping Charges RESOLUTION 8-07 Reports R1, R1.2–1.2.2, R1.2.4–1.3, R5–8, R15–57 (CW, 1–28, 31–37, 46–56, 95–141); Overture 8-06 (CW, 440) WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House (CPH) serves as the official publishing arm of the Synod, providing essential Lutheran resources, books, curricula, and materials to support the f
To Adopt Recommendations of 2023 Res. 9-06A Task Force on Electoral Circuit Parameters RESOLUTION 9-13 Reports R59–59.2 (CW, 143–60); Overtures 9-19–20, 33 (CW, 476–77, 485) Rationale 2023 Resolution 9-06A, “To Appoint Task Force to Evaluate Current Electoral Circuit Parameters,” (2023 Proceedings, 206–9) was adopted with the acknowledgement that “due to dem
To Amend Bylaw 2.11.2.2 (c) RESOLUTION 10-06 Overtures 10-38–39 (CW, 520–21) WHEREAS, The 2023 Synod convention adopted Resolution 10 -06, “To Amend Bylaw 2.11.2.2 regarding Candidate Status,” that moved the filing deadline for the required candidate annual report from January 31 to July 31; and WHEREAS, Annual reports for emeriti remain due on January 31; a
To Amend Bylaw 2.13.1 to Clarify Terminology for Specific Ministry Pastor Mentorship and Oversight RESOLUTION 6-08 Overture 6-09, 45 (CW, 366–67, 391–92) Rationale In 1998 the Synod added to its bylaws a set of definitions, now designated as section 1.2 “Definition of Terms.” Two important definitions are those of supervision and oversight. In the Synod’s By
To Amend Bylaw 3.10.6.2.2 RESOLUTION 7-02 Overture 7-10 (CW, 425) WHEREAS, The 2023 Synod convention adopted Resolution 7 -04B, “To Revise Bylaws to Revisit and Renew Relationship of Colleges and Universities with the Synod” (Proceedings, 170–90); and WHEREAS, 2023 Res. 7-04B significantly changed the way that the Synod relates to the universities of the Con
To Amend Bylaw 3.6.4.3 to Clarify That No More Than Two Lutheran Church Extension Fund Directors Can Be from the Same District RESOLUTION 9-07 Overture 9-47 (CW, 490) Rationale The Lutheran Church Extension Fund ( LCEF) Bylaws in Section 1, Article II, contain a sentence that reads, “No more than two elected Directors can be from the same district of The Lut
To Amend Bylaw 3.6.4.3 to Increase the Number of Lutheran Church Extension Fund Directors Elected by the Synod in Convention from Three to Four RESOLUTION 9-05 Overture 9-15 (CW, 474–75) Rationale During a review of Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)’s articles and bylaws, the Commission on Constitutional Matters stated the following in Opinion 24-3024, d
To Amend Bylaw 3.6.6.1 RESOLUTION 7-03 Overture 7-09 (CW, 425) WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.6.6 states that the Concordia University System (CUS) Board of Directors (BOD) is to assist with the cooperation and coordination of the Synod’s colleges and universities in the “preparation of commissioned ministers for service in the Synod and of pre-seminary students for study
To Amend Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b) RESOLUTION 5-06 President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, 1:30) WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (b)(1–3) speaks of “formal” recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship, which suggests that the Synod also informally recognizes fellowship, a confusing phrase understood by certain other churches to mean practicing church fellowship without recognized
To Amend Bylaw 4.2.4 regarding Installation of District Presidents RESOLUTION 10-05 President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, 1:35) WHEREAS, The President of Synod or his representative reports to each district convention of the Synod (Bylaw 4.2.4); and WHEREAS, It is the desirable practice that the elected or re-elected district president be installed before the conc
To Amend Bylaw Section 1.5, etc., to Unify in the Bylaws and Revise Corporate Formation Requirements for Instrumental Entities of Corporate Synod and Agencies of the Synod RESOLUTION 9-11 Overtures 9-06–07 (CW, 458–467); Report LR63 (TB, 1:37–38) Rationale “The Synod’s Constitution says our objective is to ‘strengthen congregations and their members in givin
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 8-02 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
To Amend Bylaws 1.5.1.2–1.5.2 to Clarify Service Expectations and Handling of Conflicts of Interest RESOLUTION 9-02 Overture 9-02 (CW, 450–51) Rationale Bylaw section 1.5 provides regulations applicable to all agencies of the Synod, including provisions dealing with ethical standards, conflicts of interest, and removal from office. These date, at least in th
To Amend Bylaws 1.5.3.2–4 and Add Bylaw 4.7.6 regarding Regulations for Committees RESOLUTION 9-01 Overture 9-01 (CW, 449–50) Rationale The Commission on Constitutional Matters, noting frequent issues encountered in applying Bylaw section 1.5 to the committees of districts, universities, and other agencies of the Synod, referred the language to the Commissio
To Amend Bylaws 1.7.3, 2.11.1, 3.8.3, 3.8.3.8, and 4.4.4–5 to Establish a Framework for Ecclesiastical Supervision and Pastoral Care for Independent International Congregations RESOLUTION 2-04 Overture 2-03 (CW 295–96) WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church —Missouri Synod (LCMS) has had a long history of working with independent Lutheran congregations located in inte
To Amend Bylaws 3.6.1.8 (c) and 3.6.4 (a) to Clarify that Two-Thirds Approval Requirements for Synodwide Corporate Entity and Lutheran Church Extension Fund Governing Document Amendments are Based on Members Actually Present at Meeting RESOLUTION 9-06 Overtures 9-16, 46 (CW, 475, 490) Rationale During a review of Lutheran Church Extension Fund’s (LCEF) artic
To Amend Bylaws Exclusive to Lutheran Church Extension Fund to Clarify That It May Provide Real Estate Evaluation and Redevelopment Services in Support of Synod Mission and Ministry RESOLUTION 9-12 Overture 9-08 (CW, 467–68) Rationale Most congregations and ministries within the Synod are owners of real estate. Many of these ministries need assistance evalua
To Amend Bylaws regarding Doctrinal Review RESOLUTION 9-03 Overture 9-04 (CW, 452–54) Rationale The Synod has a sweeping basic principle of inclusivity for doctrinal review. It is stated in Bylaw 1.9.1.1 (a): “All official periodicals and journals of the Synod as well as any material with doctrinal content issued publicly by boards, commissions, or other sub
To Amend Bylaws to Address Seminary Adjunct Faculty RESOLUTION 6-10 Overtures 6-10, 73 (CW, 367, 408) WHEREAS, Both Concordia Seminary , St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary , Fort Wayne make use of contracted faculty, bearing various titles including “adjunct faculty,” “guest instructors,” “guest professors,” or “visiting instructors” (hereafter “ad
To Amend Bylaws to Clarify and Streamline Responsibilities of Appointed Synod Officers RESOLUTION 9-08 Overture 9-09 (CW, 468–70) Rationale Under current Bylaws, the positions of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) exist to assist the Synod Board of Directors (BOD) in carrying out the responsibilities of the BOD to the Synod.
To Amend Bylaws to Coordinate Responsibilities of Chief Mission Officer with Other Synod Officers RESOLUTION 9-09 Overture 9-10 (CW, 470–71) Rationale The 2010 Synod convention made substantial changes to the structure and organization of the national Synod office that impacted significantly the mission operations of the Synod. These changes included creatin
To Amend Bylaws to Refine Process for Creating Triennial Mission and Ministry Emphases RESOLUTION 4-02 Overture 4-12 (CW, 307–9) WHEREAS, The Synod in convention (2023 Res. 4-02, “To Affirm and Continue Making Disciples for Life as Mission and Ministry Emphasis for 2023–26 Triennium”) instructed the Board for National Mission and the Board for International
To Amend Bylaws to Reinsert 2007 Pastoral Colloquy Bylaws from Policy Manual RESOLUTION 6-12 Overtures 6-11–13 (CW, 367–70) WHEREAS, The 2010 Synod convention removed numerous pastoral colloquy bylaws and added Bylaw 3.10.2.2 (a) (Res. 8 -08A, “To Realign National Synod Ministries around Two Mission Boards”), which directs the Colloquy Committee for the Past
To Amend Constitution Article XII 15 as to Call of Special District Conventions RESOLUTION 9-14 Overture 9-03 (CW, 451–52) Rationale In its periodic review of various district bylaws, the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM, “Removal of a District President from Office,” minutes of April 8–9, 2022) has noted the following: • Bylaw 1.5.8.1, introduced b
To Amend Various Bylaws for Purposes of Clarification or Improvement RESOLUTION 9-04 Overture 9-05 (CW, 454–58) Preamble The Commission on Handbook (COH), responding to a variety of observations from officers, agencies, and members of the Synod, has proposed amendments to bylaws that have given opportunity to confusion or required repeated or nonobvious inte
To Clarify Lutheran Identity in Connection with the Concordia Universities RESOLUTION 7-07 Overtures 7-04–07 (CW, 422–24) WHEREAS, The 2023 Synod convention (Res. 7 -04B, “To Revise Bylaws to Revisit and Renew Relationship of Colleges and Universities with the Synod,” Proceedings, 170–72) revised Bylaw subsection 3.6.6 to direct the Concordia University Syst
To Clarify Prior Approval Protocols for University Presidential Candidates RESOLUTION 7-05 Overtures 7-14–24 (CW, 428–33) WHEREAS, Numerous overtures to the 2026 convention have addressed the Synod prior approval protocols, including presidential candidates for the Synod’s Concordia Universities and a desire for transparency and clarity; and WHEREAS, The pre
To Clarify Prior Approval Protocols for University Theological Faculties RESOLUTION 7-04 Overtures 7-14–24 (CW, 428–33) WHEREAS, Numerous overtures to the 2026 Synod convention have addressed the prior approval protocols for theology faculty for our Concordia universities and a desire for transparency and clarity; and WHEREAS, The Synod treasures our Concord
To Commend Concordia Publishing House for Prioritizing Mission and Distribution RESOLUTION 8-06 Reports R1, R1.2–R1.2.2, R1.2.4–R1.3, R5–R8, R15–R57 (CW, 1–5, 15–28, 31–37, 46–56, 95–141); Overtures 8-13–14 (CW, 443–44) WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House (CPH) was established in 1869 to serve the congregations of the Synod by publishing materials that are u
To Direct Board of Directors, Board for National Mission, Board for International Mission, and Chief Mission Officer to Review Overture 9-11 RESOLUTION 9-16 Overture 9-11 (CW, 471–73) WHEREAS, the Board of Directors (BOD) desires to enhance the coordination and efficiency of the Synod’s mission operations to better align the responsibility of the Board for N
To Direct Districts and Encourage Congregational Participation in Global Mission through Prayer, Partnership, and Support RESOLUTION 2-02 Overtures 2-01–02 (CW, 295) WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded His Church to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19); and WHEREAS, The Lord exhorts His people to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest t
To Encourage Transparency and Accountability in Legal Judgments and Settlements RESOLUTION 8-01 Reports R1, R1.2–R1.2.2., R1.2.4–R.1.3, R5–R8, R15–R57 (CW, 1–4, 15–28, 31–37, 46–56, 95–141); Overture 8-17 (CW, 445) WHEREAS, Constitution Articles VII and XI establish the Synod as a voluntary association acting on behalf of its member congregations and vest fi
To Encourage University Worship Practices That Form Students to be Faithful to Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions RESOLUTION 7-06 Overture 7-06 (CW, 423–24) WHEREAS, The Synod in convention (2023 Res. 7 -04B, “To revise Bylaws to Revisit and Renew Relationship of Colleges and Universities with the Synod”) revised Bylaw 3.6.6 to direct the Concordia Universi
To Expand Access to the Lutheran Confessions RESOLUTION 8-04 Reports R1, R1.2, R1.2.1–2, R1.2.4–5, R1.3, R5–8, R15–57 (CW, 1–5, 15–28, 31–37, 46–56, 95–141); Overtures 8-09–27 12 (CW, 441–43) WHEREAS, The primary objectives of The Lutheran Church —Missouri Synod, as stated in Constitution Article III, are to: “conserve and promote the unity of the true faith
To Fund Our Synod’s Seminaries RESOLUTION 8-03 Reports R1, R1.2–R1.2.2, R1.2.4–R1.3, R5–R8, R15–57 (CW, 1–5, 15–28, 31–37, 46–56, 95–141); Overture 8-15 (CW, 444) WHEREAS, The Synod maintains Concordia Seminary (CSL) and Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW) to form pastors for faithful Word and Sacrament ministry in the Church and her mission; and WHEREAS,
To Increase Congregation Participation in Election of Synod President RESOLUTION 9-15 Overtures 9-21–22 (CW, 477–80) WHEREAS, The 2010 Synod convention changed the longstanding practice of electing the Synod President at the convention and conferred that right to congregations using electronic voting (2010 Res. 8 -17, “To Elect the Synod President,” [Proceed
To Promote Ministry Among Youth and Young Adults RESOLUTION 1-09 Report R1.2.1 (CW, 16–19); Overtures 1-13, 21 (CW, 284, 288) WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded His Church to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching the baptized (Matt. 28:19–20), and to raise up successive generations in the faith; and WHEREAS, The Church has the res
To Reaffirm the Synod’s Positions on Men and Women in the Church RESOLUTION 5-08 Overtures 5-30–35 (CW, 354–57) WHEREAS, Holy Scripture clearly teaches that the pastoral office is reserved for qualified men, and therefore prohibits women from publicly preaching, teaching, or leading worship in the assembled congregation (1 Timothy 2; 1 Corinthians 11; 1 Cori
To Respectfully Decline Overtures RESOLUTION 9-17 Overtures 9-17, 23–32, 36–40, 44–45, 48, 52 (CW, 475–76, 480–95) WHEREAS, The floor committee has considered all overtures assigned to it and has concluded, for various reasons, that certain overtures should be declined; therefore be it Resolved, That the following overtures be respectfully declined for the r
To Respectfully Decline Overtures RESOLUTION 10-07 Overtures 10-07, 11, 18–19, 26, 33 (CW, 504, 506, 511, 514, 519)3 WHEREAS, The floor committee has considered all overtures assigned to it and has concluded, for various reasons, that certain overtures should be declined; therefore be it Resolved, That the following overtures be respectfully declined for the
To Respond to Sexual Misconduct by Rostered Workers and Make Provision for Spiritual Care of Those Affected RESOLUTION 10-03 Overtures 10-27–30 (CW, 515–18) WHEREAS, God establishes the Office of the Holy Ministry for the care of His people (John 20:21 –23; 1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9), and those who serve in this office are called to lives that are “above rep
To Revise the Membership of the Pastoral Formation Committee RESOLUTION 9-10 Overtures 6-64–71, 9-10 (CW, 403–8, 470–71) WHEREAS, One of the objectives of the Synod is to “recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth” (Const. Art. III 3); and WHEREAS, The 2013 Resolution 5 -14A
To Study Synodwide Corporate Status of Concordia University System RESOLUTION 7-08 Overtures 7-01–03 (CW, 417–22); Late Overture L7-30 (TB, 1:43) WHEREAS, Overture 7 -01, “To Amend Bylaws to Convert Concordia University System, the Synodwide Corporate Entity, into Commission for University Education ,” was submitted by the LCMS Board of Directors (BOD) for c
To Support Campus Ministry RESOLUTION 1-12 Reports R1.2.1, R6, R14.1, R25, R31, R35, R53, R55 (CW, 16–19, 53–54, 86–89, 109–10, 115–16, 119–20, 136–39; Overtures 1-04–05, 13, 21 (CW, 278–80, 284, 288) WHEREAS, Young men and women continue attending colleges and universities throughout the nation in significant numbers, and these campuses are to be regarded a
To Support Lutheran Congregations and Schools in Urban Contexts RESOLUTION 1-06 Overtures 1-9–10 (CW, 281–82) Rationale Throughout its history, the Synod has had congregations and schools in urban contexts. Many of these congregations and schools have ceased operations or have greatly curtailed ministries due to shifts in demographics, even as more people li
To Thank God for Work of LCMS Disaster Response and Human Care Partners and To Require Districts to Appoint Disaster Response Coordinators RESOLUTION 3-03 Overtures 3-03–04 (CW, 299–300) WHEREAS, Holy Scripture teaches us to “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2) and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31), and the
At 3:07 each day, remember John 15:7 and pray for Christ's Church, the convention, our leaders, and the work of the Gospel among us.
