Official Workbook PDF page source text

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 Synodwide 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.

…