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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 466

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 (Matt. 9:35–38); and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod reexamine the composition and 
processes of prior approval panels, especially those involved in the 
appointment of full -time seminary faculty members and those 
teaching theology classes at a CUS institution; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod expand the composition of those two 
panels to include a total of five voters each, possibly drawing from 
other boards, commissions, and entities of Synod charged with 
oversight or guidance of doctrine and practice (including 
representatives from LCMS  Board of Directors, Commission on 
Doctrinal Review, Commission on Theology and Church Relations, 
respective seminary boards, and faculties); and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod establish bylaws to guide the members 
of the prior approval panel in assessing candidates and providing 
rationale for the decisions they make to the candidates themselves 
and to their calling institutions, taking into account all due privacy 
concerns and laws; and be it finally 
Resolved, That amended bylaws be proposed to the 2029 Synod 
convention. 
Christ, La Mesa, CA; Circuit 9 (Decatur), Indiana District 
Ov. 7-19 
To Review and Clarify Prior Approval 
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 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has the responsibility to oversee that 
training, and has done so in various forms throughout its history; 
and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has delegated a portion of 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, The restructuring of the Synod by the 2010 Synod 
convention eliminated existing agencies tasked with prior approval 
for seminary faculty members (namely, the Board for Pastoral 
Education; 2010 Res. 8 -08A, “To Realign the National Synod 
Ministries around Two Mission Boards”); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod in convention adopted 2013 Resolution 5-
11B, “To Amend Bylaw 3.10.4.7.3 re Appointment of Seminary 
Faculty” (the noted bylaw being subsequently renumbered to 
3.10.5.7.3), which established a three-person prior approval panel 
for the appointment of full -time seminary faculty members, to be 
comprised of three ordained members, including “the President of 
Synod (or his designee), the chairman of the Council of Presidents 
(or his designee), and the c hairman of the Board for National 
Mission (or his designee)” (Bylaw 3.10.5.7.3 [a]); and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod in convention subsequently adopted 2016 
Res. 7-06B, “To Assist Our CUS Institutions in Demonstrating Our 
Common Confession,” which established a three-person prior 
approval panel for the appointment of those teaching theology 
classes at a Concordia University System institution, to be 
comprised of three ordained members, including “the President of 
Synod (or his designee), the chairman of the Council of Presidents 
(or his designee), and a member of the Concordia University 
System (CUS) board selected by the chair” (Bylaw 3.10.6.9.2); and 
WHEREAS, Those panels not only have responsibility to work on 
behalf of the Synod but also are responsible to the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, Some questions have arisen in recent years regarding 
the transparency of the process, the standards by which approval is 
determined, and the exact composition —and appropriateness  
thereof—of the panels themselves; 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 (Matt. 9:35–38); and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod 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 reexamine the composition and 
processes of prior approval panels, especially those involved in the 
appointment of full -time seminary faculty members and those 
teaching theology classes at a CUS System institution; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the Synod expand the composition of those two 
panels to include a total of five voters each, possibly drawing from 
other boards, commissions, and entities of the Synod charged with 
oversight or guidance of doctrine and practice (including, for 
example, representatives from the Commission on Doctrinal 
Review or the Commission on Theology and Church Relations); 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod establish bylaws that might guide the 
members of the prior approval panel in assessing candidates and 
providing rationale for the decisions they make to the candidates 
themselves and to their calling institutions, taking into account all 
due privacy concerns and laws; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention propose amended 
bylaws no later than the 2029 Synod convention. 
Missouri District 
Ov. 7-20 
To Support and Clarify Prior Approval Process  
for Theological Faculty and Presidential 
Candidates for Concordia University System 
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 this has led to questions as to the 
standards used to evaluate candidates as well as the process utilized 
by the prior approval panels. In the hopes 
of building trust and 
relieving any undue criticism of the panels and the process, the 
following overture aims to in crease feedback for the process and 
standards used by the panels as well as ensuring clear 
communication between the panels, the candidates, their 
ecclesiastical supervisors, and the Synod. 
WHEREAS, One of the expressed purposes of the Synod is to 
“recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church 
2026 Convention Workbook
431UNIVERSITY EDUCATION