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onetwo of whom shall have significant financial/audit experience.

3.7.1.4 The Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans and the Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services shall have all general and incidental powers and duties appropriate for the performance of their functions. In addition, the Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans and will have the powers and duties set forth in the respective plans, as amended from time to time. The Board of Trustees —Concordia Plans/Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services It may create or amend any plan within limits established by the Board of D irectors of the Synod so long as such changes are reported to the Synod ’s Board of Directors, since such power is finally vested in the Synod’s Board of Directors.

(a) When the Board of Trustees — Concordia Plans is carrying out its functions with respect to any such separate plan, it may be designated as the board of trustees of such separate plan.

(b) When the board is carrying out its functions generally, it may be designated as the “Board of Trustees—Concordia Plans of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.” (c) The board may, at its own discretion, make investment decisions or select and utilize investment counsel and select agents and actuaries.

(d) The Board of Trustees — Concordia Plans/Board of Directors—Concordia Plan Services It shall design for the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church —Missouri Synod’s approval benefit plans which compare favorably with other similar plans while meeting unique needs of the full-time church workers in the Synod.

(e) The boardsIt shall provide copies of all audit reports to the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod for information, advice, and counsel.

(f) The boardsIt shall settle disputes which arise in enrollment in the plans and the payment of claims and benefits.

(g) The boards shall organize themselves as to chair, vice chair, secretary, and other committees at least triennially but need not do so more frequently, unless the membership of the boards changes or if required by the boards’ policy.

3.7.1.5 The position of chief executive shall be filled according to the process outlined in Bylaw 3.6.1.5.

Board of Trustees/Directors Concordia Plans / Concordia Plan Services

Ov. 8-02

To Amend Bylaw Section 3.7 to Include Management of Concordia Risk Solutions in Assigned Activity of Concordia Plan Services

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Board of Directors (BOD) has authorized formation of an entity, Concordia Risk Solutions, a captive insurance company, to provide for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance within the Synod (minutes of the BOD, May 23–24, 2026, item 199 [M]); and

WHEREAS, The BOD has assigned this activity to Concordia Plan Services (CPS) (ibid.), consistent with Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) Opinion 24-3043; and

WHEREAS, CCM Op. 24-3043 recommended “the Synod Bylaw description of the work of CPS to be amended by the next convention to include this new activity, even if already entered into”; therefore be it

Resolved, That a new Bylaw 3.7.1.2 be inserted as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

3.7 Synodwide Trust Entities 3.7.1 The synodwide trust entities of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod are collectively known as the Concordia Plans.

The Concordia Plans 3.7.1.1 Concordia Plan Services is responsible for managing the benefit plans/trusts of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, including the Concordia Retirement Plan, Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan, Concordia Health Plan, and Concordia Retirement Savings Plan, each of which is a separate trust operated under trust laws but collectively known as the Concordia Plans.

… 3.7.1.2 Concordia Plan Services also is responsible for managing Concordia Risk Solutions, subject to the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod, and subject to policies of, agreements with, and further action of the Board of Directors of the Synod.

3.7.1.23 … LCMS Board of Directors

Ov. 8-03

To Affirm Concordia Plans and To Amend Bylaws to Require Annual ERISAComparable Transparency to Participants

WHEREAS, “The s ynodwide trust entities of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are collectively known as the Concordia Plans” (Bylaw 3.7.1) and provide essential retirement, health, disability, and related benefits for church workers and retirees; and

WHEREAS, “Concordia Plan Services is a controlled entity of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod created to manage the Concordia Plans,” and “the Concordia Plans, while operating under the supervision of the Synod Board of Directors, are trust agencies whose assets are not the property of corporate Synod” (Bylaw 1.2.1[d–e]); and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Bylaws establish an expectation of transparency to member congregations, stating: “The Synod and each of its agencies shall fully disclose their financial books and records to any member congregation of the Synod” (Bylaw 1.5.4);

and

WHEREAS, Church plans are generally exempt from many Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA)

reporting and disclosure requirements, and therefore participants may not automatically receive standardized, year -to-year comparable disclosures that are common in ERISA-governed plans;

and

WHEREAS, Church workers, retirees, and congregations benefit from clear, consistent disclosures so they may understand promised benefits and plan changes, plan responsibly, and maintain confidence through transparent communication; and

WHEREAS, As Christ’s church, we should not aim to have less transparency than secular institutions when stewarding promised benefits for those who serve the Gospel, but rather seek standards that meet or exceed widely recognized best practices; therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod in convention thank God for the hard work and dedication of the board members and staff of Concordia Plan Services (CPS) for the proper management of the plans; and be it further 2026 Convention Workbook

438 FINANCE