Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 518

Ov. 9-28 
To Amend Bylaw 3.2.4.1 to Limit Terms of Office 
for President, First Vice-President,  
Regional Vice-Presidents, and Secretary 
WHEREAS, The Lord gifts all people with many and diverse gifts; 
and 
WHEREAS, Paul acknowledges this truth in 1 Corinthians 12:28–
31 with reference specifically to the Office of the Holy Ministry, 
where it is written, “ And God has appointed in the church first 
apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts 
of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 
Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work 
miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with 
tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts”; and 
W
HEREAS, The Lord has gifted the c hurch with many faithful 
men who possess the gifts of leadership and administration; and 
WHEREAS, We are discouraged from trusting in human princes—
precisely because of their humanity—rather than in God who alone 
saves and endows all pastors with these various gifts, as it is written 
in Psalm 146:3, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in 
whom there is no salvation”; and 
WHEREAS, All elected offices in the world and in the c hurch, 
including the elected offices of The Lutheran Church —Missouri 
Synod, are often very stressful and take their toll on any and all who 
hold them; and 
W
HEREAS, We should always be concerned for the physical, 
emotional, and spiritual welfare of all who hold office in our Synod, 
that they not become negatively impacted by their work and are 
encouraged to return to their lives after service, healthy at all levels; 
and 
W
HEREAS, One of the benefits of term limitation is that it focuses 
the office holder by helping him to see what limits there are to his 
time and the authority of his office; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod has already seen the wisdom of limiting 
the tenure of board and commission members; therefore be it 
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Terms of Office 
3.2.4.1 As to reelection, theThe offices of President, the first Vice-
President, regional vice -presidents, and Secretary shall be without 
limitation as to reelectionlimited to four consecutive terms or a 
maximum of 15 years lifetime in one particular office. 
… 
and be it further 
Resolved, That this amendment take immediate effect, meaning 
that the count of consecutive terms begin with the convention at 
which the amendment is adopted. 
Circuit 21 (Oconomowoc) 
South Wisconsin District 
Ov. 9-29 
To Amend Bylaw 3.2.4.1 to Establish Term Limits 
for Elected Synod Officers 
WHEREAS, The Synod is and has been served by the varied gifts 
and abilities of those who are elected by the Synod to serve as 
officers, members of boards, and members of commissions of the 
Synod; and 
WHEREAS, Those individuals elected by the Synod are, during 
their term of office, using their gifts and abilities to the fullest extent 
in furtherance of the Synod’s life together, such that the duties and 
obligations of said officers and positions by necessity r equire 
tremendous focus and dedication by those elected thereto, at times 
to the exclusion or diminishment of their vocations to family and 
neighbor; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has been abundantly blessed by God with 
faithful men and women throughout its member congregations and 
its rosters of ordained and commissioned ministers with a multitude 
of gifts and abilities who are capable of serving the Synod in the 
offices and positions elected by the Synod, such that no officer, 
board member, or commission member is irreplaceable; and 
WHEREAS, There is not uniformity of practice within the Synod 
with regard to term limits, as the offices of President of Synod, First 
Vice-President, regional vice -presidents, and Secretary of Synod 
are without limitation while members of all boards and 
commissions of the Synod are subject to limitations; and 
WHEREAS, Term limits facilitate good order and harmony within 
the Synod, requiring the intentional selection of perspectives, gifts, 
and abilities well suited to the furtherance of the Synod’s work 
together in order to proclaim and witness to the nation and world ; 
and 
WHEREAS, Term limits demonstrate and affirm care for those 
who serve the Synod in the offices and positions elected by the 
Synod; and 
WHEREAS, Term limits remind the members of the Synod that 
our hope, confidence, and trust rests and resides in Christ and Christ 
alone, the head of the Church; therefore be it 
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Terms of Office 
3.2.4.1 TheThose holding the offices of President, the first First 
Vice-President, regional vice-presidentsvice-president, and 
Secretary shall be  without limitation as to reelection  ineligible for 
reelection to the same office after serving a total of four (4) 
successive three -year terms, unless otherwise provided in the 
Bylaws. 
(a) Service in said offices for more than one-half of a term shall 
be regarded as a full term under limited tenure rules. 
(b) Any officer who is ineligible for reelection to an office may 
be elected or appointed to another office or position. 
(ac) If the President, First Vice -President, or Secretary are not 
reelected or do not stand for re -election, they shall continue to 
receive full salary for a period of six (6) months while rendering 
transitional service. 
(bd) Such service and salary will cease at the time such person 
accepts another full-time position. 
(ce) Before his successor assumes office, the outgoing President 
shall use the intervening time to settle the affairs of his 
administration and assist the newly elected President as requested 
to become acquainted with the responsibilities of the office. 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the limitation established by Bylaw 3.2.4.1 as 
amended shall be applied, imposed, and effective for all elections 
held on or after Sept. 2, 2026. 
2026 Convention Workbook
483STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION