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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 515

(c) Such delegates shall immediately submit to the Secretary of 
the Synod this document and written pertinent information 
concerning their nominee(s) as detailed in Bylaw 3.12.2.2. 
(d) After all such amendments have been voted on, the 
convention shall ratify the slate of candidates prior to each 
election. 
3.12.2.4 Each voting delegate shall be entitled to vote for one of the 
candidates for President. The candidate receiving a majority of the 
votes cast shall be declared elected. 
(a) If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, the four 
candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be retained 
on the ballot, and another vote shall be taken. 
(b) Thereafter, the candidate receiving the smallest number of 
votes shall be eliminated on each subsequent ballot until one 
candidate receives a majority of the votes cast. 
3.12.2.65 Prior to all other elections, the convention shall elect the 
President and the First Vice-President. 
(a) The newly elected President-elect shall select from the list of 
20 nominees for the Office of First Vice-President five nominees 
who have consented to serve if elected, at least two of whom shall 
be taken from the top five nominees. 
(b) Balloting will proceed with the candidate receiving the 
smallest number of votes eliminated from consideration until one 
candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, who shall be 
declared elected.  
… 
Committee on Elections 
… 
3.12.4.2 The President shall determine and announce a period of 
time during the convention for the election of the members of all 
elective boards and commissions. 
(a) After the election of the President and the First Vice -
President and the other vice-presidents in that order, the election 
by ballot of the Secretary shall next be conducted. 
… 
and be it further 
Resolved, That this restoration of the presidential election be 
implemented in time for the 2029 Synod convention. 
South Lake 
League City, TX 
Ov. 9-23 
To Affirm Regional Selection of Board Members 
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church —Missouri Synod is a 
nationwide church body with diverse regional, cultural, and 
missional contexts; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Board of Directors (BOD), Board for 
National Mission (BNM), and Board for International Mission 
(BIM) exercise governance and mission oversight that affect 
congregations and districts across all regions of the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Bylaws establish regional representation 
in the composition of the BOD (Bylaw 3.3.4.1), the BNM (Bylaw 
3.8.2.3), and the BIM (Bylaw 3.8.3.3); and 
W
HEREAS, Regional representation in board membership helps 
ensure that decisions are informed by the lived realities, mission 
opportunities, and challenges present throughout the Synod; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has historically valued broad participation 
and shared responsibility in its governance and mission structures; 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm the principle of 
regional selection and representation in the nomination and election 
of members to the Synod’s BOD, BNM, and BIM; and be it further 
Resolved
, That the appropriate Synod entities be encouraged to 
continue or strengthen processes that provide for balanced regional 
representation on these boards, so that the governance and mission 
leadership of the Synod reflects the breadth of its districts and 
ministries. 
Board of Directors 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 9-24 
To Create Task Force to Develop Overture for 
Change in Regional Vice-President Selection 
WHEREAS, The Synod utilizes entities within specific groupings 
to live out its life together as Synod in an orderly way for the benefit 
of the Body of Christ; and 
WHEREAS, Districts are “the Synod itself performing the 
functions of the Synod” (Bylaw 4.1.1.1); and 
WHEREAS, “The district president shall represent the Synod in 
his district” (Bylaw 4.4.2); and 
WHEREAS, “A president shall be elected from the clergy roster of 
the Synod by each district” (Bylaw 4.3.1); and 
WHEREAS, “A visitation circuit is a network of congregations 
that ‘walks together’ for mutual care, support, advice, study, 
ecclesiastical encouragement, service, coordination, resources, and 
counsel—all for the sake of greater congregational participation in 
God’s mission” (Bylaw 5.1.1); and 
W
HEREAS, Districts “establish visitation circuits according to 
geographical criteria” (Bylaw 5.1.2); and 
WHEREAS, “Each circuit visitor shall assist the district president 
within the circuit” (Bylaw 5.2.3); moreover, “[the circuit visitor] 
shall serve under the direction of and be accountable to the district 
president and shall serve as his spokesman when so authorized and 
directed and shall assist him in doctrinal and spiritual supervision” 
(Bylaw 5.2.3 [a]); and 
W
HEREAS, “The circuit visitor shall hold his position by virtue 
of his selection by the circuit forum and ratification by the district 
convention” (Bylaw 5.2.2); and 
WHEREAS, “The [Synod] vice -presidents shall be elected 
advisors of the President and, upon the President’s request or as 
provided by the Synod, shall assist him in discharging his 
responsibilities or represent him” (Bylaw 3.3.2); and 
WHEREAS, The filling of a vacancy in a regional vice-presidency 
is only made “in consultation with the district presidents within that 
region” (Bylaw 3.3.2.4); and 
W
HEREAS, Five Synod vice -presidents are designated “regional 
vice-presidents” (Bylaw 3.3.2.3); and 
WHEREAS, Selection by regional groupings is deemed 
appropriate for circuit visitors and district presidents, each of whom 
serve under the direction of another, who is elected by a broader 
grouping; and 
WHEREAS, Circuit visitors are selected in their regional grouping 
and ratified by the district in convention; therefore be it 
Resolved, That a task force be established consisting of 
representatives from the Council of Presidents (COP), the 
2026 Convention Workbook
480 STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION