Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 343

2026 Convention Workbook
308 LIFE TOGETHER
WHEREAS, These fraternal discussions with the districts 
concluded that the current procedure for developing triennial 
mission and ministry emphases has proven to be cumbersome and 
unworkable; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod’s mission boards and the Council of 
Presidents are to assist the President of the Synod in establishing the 
goals for mission and ministry of the Synod (Bylaws 3.3.1.1.1 [a], 
3.8.2, 3.8.3); therefore be it 
Resolved, That the two mission boards, in collaboration with the 
President of the Synod, and in continued fraternal dialog with the 
districts, be charged with recommending to the Synod in convention 
triennial mission and ministry emphas es for adoption; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.3.1.3 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Powers and Duties – Ecclesiastical and Administrative 
3.3.1.3 The President shall have responsibilities and duties that are 
both ecclesiastical and administrative. 
… 
(q) He shall collaborate with the Board for National Mission and 
the Board for International Mission in assessing and evaluating 
the effectiveness of the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry 
emphases. 
and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.2.2 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Board for National Mission 
… 
3.8.2.2 The Board for National Mission shall, during the course of 
each triennium between national conventions of the Synod, work 
with the Board for International Mission to gather pertinent and 
sufficient information from the Synod’s members that will facilitate 
the boards’ assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphases, and shall , in 
collaboration with the P resident of the Synod, after fraternal 
dialogue with the districts,  develop accordingly a joint overtur e to 
the national convention for beneficial amendments thereto.  The 
boards shall also provide a joint report in advance of the Synod’s 
district conventions, offering ideas and guidance for proposing 
triennial mission and ministry emphases to the national convention. 
and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.3.2 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Board for International Mission 
… 
3.8.3.2 The Board for International Mission shall, during the 
course of each triennium between national conventions of the Synod, 
work with the Board for National Mission to gather pertinent and 
sufficient information from the Synod’s members that will facilitate 
the boards’ assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphases, and shall , in 
collaboration with the P resident of the Synod, after fraternal 
dialogue with the districts,  develop accordingly a joint overtur e to 
the national convention for beneficial amendments thereto.  The 
boards shall also provide a joint report in advance of the Synod’s 
district conventions, offering ideas and guidance for proposing 
triennial mission and ministry emphases to the national convention. 
and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 4.2.1 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
4.2 District Conventions 
4.2.1 Conventions of the districts shall afford opportunities for 
worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of 
vital information. They are the principal legislative assemblies, 
which amend the district’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaw s, 
consider and take action on reports and overtures, and handle 
appropriate appeals. 
(a) The conventions of the districts shall be governed by the 
bylaws adopted by the Synod for its conventions, insofar as these 
may be applicable. 
(b) The district convention is the instrument to receive overtures 
(Bylaw 3.1.6.2) , including overtures and recommendations for 
synodwide mission and ministry emphases submitted by member 
congregations and adopted by a circuit forum. 
(c) Following in- depth study and discussion, the district 
convention shall act on the overtures and may, as determined by 
the convention, submit overtures to the national convention. 
(d) The district convention shall, through delegate vote, forward 
to the national convention a list of two or three triennial mission 
and ministry emphases for consideration by the national 
convention. 
… 
and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 5.2.3 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
5.2 Circuit Visitors 
… 
5.2.3 Each circuit visitor shall assist the district president within 
the circuit. 
… 
(g) He shall assist in the development and attainment of Synod-
wide mission and ministry emphases. 
… 
and be it finally 
Resolved, That Bylaw section 5.3 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
5.3 Circuit Forums 
5.3.1 The circuit forum is the group which aids the process of 
keeping congregations, particularly the lay leaders, commissioned 
ministers, and pastors, supportive of one another in their common 
confession and mutually active in developing programs for the good 
of member congregations, in considering and recommending new 
work, and in suggesting improvements for services and 
programming at the national and district levels and is encouraged to 
meet at least twice a year. 
(a) The circuit visitor shall endeavor to provide resources, 
opportunities, and assistance so God’s people can grow in their 
faith. 
(b) Among the functions which the circuit forum may perform 
are the following: 
(1) To study the Scriptures and the Confessions in order to 
promote an evangelical spirit in our walking together. 
… 
(5) To serve as a setting to review and evaluate programs, 
plans, and long-range directions of the district and the Synod 
and thus participate in the triennial process of suggesting, 
developing, and attaining the Synod’s priorities and goals. 
…