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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 511

WHEREAS, The Synod “establishes districts in order more 
effectively to achieve its objectives and carry on its activities” 
(Bylaw 4.1.1) by “performing the functions of the Synod” (Bylaw 
4.1.1.1); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has 35 districts which vary widely in the 
number of congregations, from 47 to 345, and communicant 
membership, from 6,287 to 116,967, with 13 districts having fewer 
than 125 congregations (The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 
“District Locator,” locator.lcms.org/district); and 
W
HEREAS, The presidents of each district of the Synod sit on the 
Council of Presidents (COP) (Bylaw 3.10.1), which receives and 
gives counsel to the President of the Synod (Bylaw 3.10.1.2), 
provides opportunity for district presidents and the Praesidium of 
the Sy nod to counsel with one another on matters regarding the 
doctrine and administration of the Synod (Id.), serves as the Board 
of Assignments (Bylaw 3.10.1.3), and carries out such duties as the 
Synod in convention may give to the COP (Bylaw 3.10.1.4); and 
W
HEREAS, The variance in the number of congregations and 
communicant membership of the districts of the Synod results in 
each congregation and each communicant member not being 
equally represented at the COP, nor among the regional vice-
presidents, on matters regarding the doctrine and administration of 
the Synod; and 
W
HEREAS, Modern technology has enabled various functions to 
be carried out effectively and efficiently without regard to district 
organization; and 
WHEREAS, Each district of the Synod must have a district 
president, at least two vice -presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, 
circuit visitors (Bylaw section 4.3), board of directors (Bylaw 
section 4.5), hold a district convention (Bylaw section 4.2), and 
conduct official conferences (Bylaw section 4.8), all of which 
offices, positions, conventions, and conferences have and incur 
expenses; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod, and its districts, has an ongoing 
obligation to efficiently and effectively steward those gifts of time, 
talent, and treasure which God leads faithful men and women to 
provide through offering, gifts, and service; and 
WHEREAS, The variance in the number of congregations and 
communicant membership of the districts of the Synod raises for 
reflection whether the districts of the Synod are effectively and 
efficiently carrying out their functions on behalf of the member 
congregations of each district; and 
W
HEREAS, Bylaw 4.1.1.3 (a) provides for realignment of districts 
to “be initiated by a national convention of the Synod”; therefore be 
it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention hereby direct that a 
proposal be developed to realign the districts of the Synod such that 
each realigned district shall have not fewer than 125 member 
congregations; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention hereby establishes a task 
force to develop said proposal in accordance with Bylaw 4.1.1.3, 
which task force shall comprise the district presidents from the six 
districts having the most member congregations and the five 
districts having the fewest member congregations as of July 1, 
2026; and be it further 
Resolved, That said proposal shall, in addition to those factors 
required to be addressed by Bylaw 4.1.1.3, address the issues of 
equal representation on the COP, stewardship, and efficiency in the 
organization and operation of the districts on behalf of the member 
congregations of the Synod and such other issues or factors as the 
task force shall identify; and be it finally 
Resolved, That  said proposal shall be submitted to the 2029 
Synod convention. 
St. John 
Seward, NE 
Ov. 9-18 
To Reclaim Beneficial Understanding  
of Our Synodical Union 
WHEREAS, A Synodical union is an agreed association of 
congregations of the same confessions for the good of one another; 
and 
WHEREAS, Satan tempts us to be our own “gods” and to do what 
is good in our own eyes as individuals and as congregations; and 
WHEREAS, Such  division confuses and obscures the 
proclamation of the Gospel; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Office of the 
President to seek a reclamation of our Synodical u nion as per the 
Preamble of the Constitution by producing a study of what it means 
to be part of a Synodical union. 
Montana District 
Ov. 9-19 
To Amend Constitution and Bylaws  
to Alter Selection of Voting Delegates  
to National Convention 
WHEREAS, The national convention of the Synod is the “principal 
legislative assembly” of the Synod and, inter alia , establishes 
general positions and policies of the Synod; elects officers, 
directors, and board and commission members; and provides 
overall program direction and priorities (Bylaw 3.1.l); and 
WHEREAS, Member congregations of the Synod are grouped 
together to be represented by two voting delegates at a national 
convention of the Synod, one a pastor and one a lay delegate (Const. 
Art. IX l), which grouping constitutes an “electoral circuit” of 
between “ 7 and 20 member congregations” of the Synod with 
aggregate confirmed membership of between 1,500 and 10,000 
individuals (Bylaw 3.1.2 [a]); and 
WHEREAS, In 2024, the Synod had 5,799 member congregations, 
of which 82 reported average weekly attendance in excess of 500 
individuals while not less than 4,286 reported average weekly 
attendance of 100 or less (LCMS Office of National Mission 
handout, Smaller C ongregation Summit, St. Louis, Mo., June 25 –
26, 2024); and 
WHEREAS, There are member congregations of the Synod that 
have more than 1,500 confirmed members and could alone satisfy 
the aggregate confirmed membership requirements of Bylaw 3.1.2 
(a) but are required to be included in an electoral circuit, 
diminishing repres entation of their members at a national 
convention of the Synod while, conversely, 20 congregations with 
50 confirmed members each in an electoral circuit would have 
outsized representation at a Synod convention; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod makes known the love of Christ by word 
and deed through its member congregations of all sizes in the 
2026 Convention Workbook
476 STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION