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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 498

(1) All responses to requests for information involving 
research or compilation shall be billed to the member on the 
basis of actual costs. 
(2) Any inspection of financial records shall be done by (a) 
member(s) of the congregation or its stated authorized agent 
at a mutually agreeable time and place. 
(3) The board may decline to provide the information 
requested if the board can demonstrate by clear and 
convincing evidence that the member congregation’s request 
is with the specific intent to cause harm to the Synod or one of 
its agencies or with the sole intent of deliberately and 
significantly disrupting the operations and affairs of the Synod 
or one of its agencies. 
(4) Any declination to provide information or decision to 
limit inspection shall be explained in writing. 
(5) Challenges to any board decisions declining to provide 
information or to limit inspection may be reviewed under the 
Synod’s dispute resolution process. 
1.5.2.6.3 The board of each Bylaw -Mandated Agency must 
regularly review the minutes (if applicable) and financial reports of 
its Instrumental Entities and, at least bi-annually, report to the Board 
of Directors of the Synod, in a form set by its policies, their existence 
and their performance in achieving their assigned objectives.  
Agency Operations 
1.5.2.7 The operations of corporate Synod and of each agency of 
the Synod shall be regulated as follows: 
1.5.52.7.1 Every agency shall operate under the general human 
resources policies of the Synod as provided by the Board of 
Directors of the Synod, in accordance with Bylaw 3.3.4.3. Specific 
policies under these general policies may be adopted by each 
agency’s governing board in order to accommodate the unique 
character of its operations. 
1.5.5.12.7.2 All agencies shall develop policies regarding their relations 
with staffs in accordance with general human resources policies 
provided by the Board of Directors of the Synod. 
1.5.5.22.7.3 When calling ordained or commissioned ministers, 
agencies shall seek the counsel of the district president who would, 
by virtue of the call, assume ecclesiastical supervision of the minister 
(Bylaw section 2.12). If the call is such that the district presi dent to 
assume ecclesiastical supervision is not known, the counsel of the 
president of the district within which the agency is located or with 
which it is associated shall be sought.
 
Agency Conflict Resolution 
1.5.2.8 Dissent to decisions of, and administrative and 
programmatic conflicts between, corporate Synod and Synod 
agencies shall be regulated as follows: 
1.5.62.8.1 Dissent to decisions made by an agency shall ordinarily be 
expressed within the structure of that agency. 
1.5.6.12.8.2 Administrative and programmatic conflicts between 
agencies of corporate Synod, between such agencies and the 
synodwide corporate entities, and between synodwide corporate 
entities shall be dealt with by the parties concerned in a Christian 
manner with the assistance of the President of the Synod. 
Ethics and Conflicts of Interest 
1.5.2.9 Ethical and conflict -of-interest standards for corporate 
Synod and Synod agencies shall be regulated as follows: 
1.5.1.32.9.1 Every board or commission member, officer, and all staff 
of corporate Synod and every agency of the Synod shall be sensitive 
in their activities to taking or giving offense, giving the appearance 
of impropriety, causing confusion in the Synod, or creating potential 
liability. 
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest 
1.5.22.9.2 Every board or commission member, officer, and all staff 
of corporate Synod and every agency of the Synod shall avoid 
conflicts of interest as described in this bylaw. 
(a) Every agency shall implement the synodwide conflict -of-
interest policy, and that policy shall be applicable to them and all 
staff operating under them. This policy shall include the 
following provisions: 
(1) Every board or commission member shall disclose to the 
chairman of the agency and all staff shall disclose to the chief 
executive or executive director of the agency any potential 
conflicts of interest. Each chairman or chief executive or 
executive director shall disclose personal potential conflicts of 
interest to the appropriate board or commission. 
(2) 
Such disclosures shall include board membership on, a 
substantial interest in, or employment of the individual or a 
relative by any organization doing business with corporate 
Synod or any of the agencies of the Synod. 
(3) Every board or commission member, officer, and all staff 
of corporate Synod and every agency of the Synod who 
receives honoraria or payments for any sales or services 
rendered to corporate Synod or any of the agencies of the 
Synod shall disclose such information. 
(4) All such disclosures shall be reported to the respective 
board or commission to determine by a vote of its remaining 
impartial members whether an inappropriate interest exists, 
and such vote shall be recorded in its official minutes. In the 
case of off icers, all such disclosures shall be reported to the 
President of the Synod to determine whether an inappropriate 
interest exists. 
(b) 
Responsibilities shall be carried out in a manner reflecting 
the highest degree of integrity and honesty consistent with the 
Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, the Constitution, Bylaws, 
and resolutions of the Synod, the policies of corporate Synod and 
the agencies of the Synod, and civil laws. 
(1) Activities shall not be entered into which may be 
detrimental to the interests of the Synod. Any inappropriate 
activity shall cease or the position will be vacated. 
(2) Information acquired in the course of carrying out duties 
of the Synod shall not knowingly be used in any way that 
would be detrimental to the welfare of the Synod. 
(3) No one shall vote on any transaction in which the 
individual might receive a direct or indirect financial gain. 
(4) The Board of Directors shall establish policy regarding the 
acceptance of gifts, entertainment, or favors from any 
individual or outside concern which does or is seeking to do 
business with corporate Synod or the agencies of the Synod. 
(c) Individuals, prior to accepting elected, appointed, or staff 
positions, shall initially and annually thereafter sign statements 
stating that they have received, understand, and agree to abide by 
this bylaw and the Synod’s conflict of interest policy.
 
Removal of Individual Members from Board or Commission 
Membership 
1.5.72.10 Individual members of the Synod’s commissions and the 
boards of its agencies, as well as the individual members of its Board 
of Directors, shall discharge the duties of their offices in good faith. 
The following are considered cause for removal pursuant to this 
bylaw: 
(1) Incapacity 
(2) Breach of fiduciary responsibilities to the Synod or agency 
(3) Neglect or refusal to perform duties of office 
(4) No longer satisfying any of the qualifications for directors set 
forth in the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the entity as in 
effect at the beginning of the member’s term 
2026 Convention Workbook
463STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION