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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 464

WHEREAS, Those under consideration for aforementioned 
positions have also been examined and approved for service on the 
roster of the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, Those individual members of the Synod have, by 
virtue of their membership in the Synod, agreed to the confessional 
basis as outlined in Constitution Article  II, as well as recognized 
and affirmed the validity of Bylaw sections 1.6–1.8; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to the Lord 
of the Church for using the Synod and its agencies to preserve and 
enlarge the workers of the harvest, and for those involved in the 
various prior approval processes for being engaged in difficult and 
important work; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention require that the process 
used by the various panels to carry out the responsibility entrusted 
to them by the Synod be made transparent and publicly available; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention stipulate that, unless 
those under consideration by the prior approval panels are found to 
be in violation of their ordination, commissioning, consecration, or 
installation vows, their approval be assumed; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention stipulate that, should one 
under consideration be thought to be in violation,  the candidate be 
given every opportunity to clarify their position to the panel; and be 
it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention stipulate that, if such a 
violation be found, the panel would, with the appropriate district 
president as that individual’s ecclesiastical supervisor, engage in the 
appropriate processes to restore the erring brother or sister so that 
one deemed unworthy to teach at one of the Synod’s institutions 
would not be permitted to remain on the roster or serve a 
congregation and thus lead that congregation to err or become out 
of step with the Synod. 
Michigan District 
Ov. 7-16 
To Support and Clarify Prior Approval Process 
WHEREAS, One of the expressed purposes 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 Synod has the responsibility to oversee that 
training; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has designated that responsibility to the 
prior approval panels outlined in various bylaws (Bylaws 3.6.6.1; 
3.10.5.7.3; 3.10.6.8.2; 3.10.6.9.2); and 
W
HEREAS, Those panels not only have a responsibility to work 
on behalf of the Synod but are also responsible to the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, Those under consideration for theological 
professorships and other positions requiring prior approval have 
ordinarily been ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry or 
have been commissioned and/or consecrated into an auxiliary office 
of the Church; and 
W
HEREAS, Those under consideration for the aforementioned 
positions have also been examined and approved for service on the 
roster of the Synod; and 
W
HEREAS, Those individual members of the Synod have, by 
virtue of their membership in the Synod, agreed to the confessional 
basis as outlined in Constitution Article II, as well as recognized 
and affirmed the validity of Bylaw sections 1.6–1.8; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to the Lord 
of the Church for using the Synod and its agencies to preserve and 
enlarge the workers of the harvest; and be it further 
Resolved
, That the Synod in convention give thanks to those 
engaged in the various prior approval processes for being engaged 
in difficult and important work; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention require that the process 
used by the various panels to carry out the responsibility entrusted 
to it by the Synod be made transparent and available to the 
candidate, the calling entity, and ecclesiastical supervisor; and be it 
further 
Resolved
, That the Synod in convention stipulate that unless 
those under consideration by the prior approval panels are found to 
be in violation of their ordination, commissioning, consecration, or 
installation vows that their approval be assumed; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention stipulate that, should one 
under consideration be thought to be in violation, the candidate be 
given every opportunity to clarify their position to the panel; and be 
it finally 
Resolved
, That the Synod in convention stipulate that, if such a 
violation be found, the panel would, with the appropriate district 
president as that individual’s ecclesiastical supervisor, engage in the 
appropriate processes to restore the erring brother or siste r so that 
one deemed unworthy to teach at one of the Synod’s institutions 
would not be permitted to remain on the roster or serve a 
congregation and thus lead that congregation to err or become out 
of step with the Synod. 
Florida-Georgia District 
Ov. 7-17 
To Amend Bylaws to Support and Clarify  
Prior Approval Process 
Preamble 
Since the 2013  Synod c onvention, appointments to theological 
faculties at all universities and seminaries, as well as all college, 
university, and seminary presidential appointments, have been  
subject to the prior approval process. While the 2013 Synod 
convention amended the B ylaws to delegate the responsibility for 
prior approval to specific groups (as referenced below) the Bylaws 
did not, and still do not, stipulate how the process of prior approval 
should be carried out. Over time there has been growing desire to 
understand how candidates are being evaluated by the prior 
approval panels. In the hopes of building trust and re ducing undue 
criticism of the panels and the process, the following overture aims 
to increase transparency for the process and guidelines used by the 
panels, 
as well as ensuring clear communication between the 
panels, the candidates, the institutions, and the broader Synod. 
WHEREAS, One of the expressed purposes 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 Synod has the responsibility to oversee that 
training; and 
2026 Convention Workbook
429UNIVERSITY EDUCATION