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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 520

WHEREAS, Deaconesses, teachers, DCEs, and other 
commissioned ministers provide essential spiritual, educational, 
and administrative leadership in Synod schools, congregations, 
RSOs, and communities; and 
WHEREAS, The current voting structure excludes commissioned 
ministers from ever serving as delegates, making them essentially 
voiceless members of the Synod, yet their ministry and their life in 
the church are impacted by decisions made in convention; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod values the unique contributions of all 
those called to service in the church and wishes to ensure their 
representation in a way that respects the unique capacities of 
rostered workers while preserving the balance of rostered church 
workers and laity; therefore be it 
Resolved, That Const. Art. XII 10 a be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Article XII Districts of the Synod and Their Regulation 
… 
10. The meetings of the districts of the Synod are composed of the 
following: 
a. Voting Delegates 
Every member congregation or multi-congregation parish is 
entitled to two votes, one of which is to be cast by its pastor 
or commissioned minister and the other by the lay delegate 
elected and deputed by the congregation or parish. 
… 
and be it further 
Resolved, That other Synod Constitution articles or bylaws 
which pertain to this change also be updated to reflect this new 
voting delegate composition. 
Circuit 1 
Northern Illinois District 
Ov. 9-33 
To Amend Bylaw 3.1.2 to Expand the Number of 
Circuit Delegates to Synod Conventions and to 
Include Ministers of Religion—Commissioned  
Preamble 
This overture amends the district voting delegate structure for 
Synod conventions by expanding the number of delegates each 
circuit may appoint from two to four. The two new delegates 
include an additional lay voting delegate and a commissioned 
minister vo ting delegate. This approach acknowledges that the 
service and experience of commissioned church workers is unique 
and vital to the schools, congregations, recognized service 
organizations, and communities that the Synod serves while 
maintaining the current representation of ordained pastors and laity. 
W
HEREAS, Rostered workers, such as deaconesses, teachers, 
directors of Christian education (DCEs), and other ministers of 
religion—commissioned (commissioned ministers) provide 
essential spiritual, educational, and administrative leadership in the 
Synod; and 
W
HEREAS, Commissioned ministers are trained and Synod 
approved for calls, and have made vows to uphold Scripture and the 
Lutheran Confessions, meaning they are uniquely positioned to 
have significant insights into matters of the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, The current voting structure excludes commissioned 
ministers from ever serving as delegates, making them essentially 
voiceless members of the Synod, and yet their ministry and their life 
in the Church are impacted by decisions made in convention; and 
W
HEREAS, The Synod values the unique contributions of all 
those called to service in the church and wishes to ensure their 
representation in a way that respects the unique capacities of the 
ordained pastoral office while preserving the balance of rostered 
church workers and laity; therefore be it 
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.2 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Voting Delegates 
3.1.2 Electoral circuits shall meet as required by the Bylaws of 
the Synod to elect circuit voting delegates to the Synod’s national 
conventions. 
… 
(c) Voting delegates shall consist of one pastor , one 
commissioned minister, and one layperson two laypersons from 
each electoral circuit. These pastoral and lay delegates and their 
alternates shall be elected according to the regulations of the 
Synod (Bylaw 3.1.2.1). 
(d) The commissioned minister and lay delegatedelegates shall 
serve throughout the triennium following the convention as an 
advisory member of the circuit forum.  
and be it further 
Resolved, That other bylaws which pertain to this change also be 
updated to reflect this new voting structure of four circuit delegates; 
and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod’s Commission on Constitutional 
Matters assist districts in preparing changes to their bylaws to be 
amended at the next district convention following the 2026 Synod 
convention. 
Circuit 1, Northern Illinois District 
Ov. 9-34 
To Strengthen Convention Participation of 
Ministers of Religion—Commissioned 
WHEREAS, Ministers of religion —c ommissioned are trained, 
authorized, and rostered as members of the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers support the Office of the 
Holy Ministry through the faithful teaching of the Word; and 
WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers  bring unique and faithful 
perspectives and gifts to the collective ministry of the Church; and 
WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers have served essential roles 
in the faith formation of children,  youth, adults , and families in 
congregations of the Northwest District; and 
WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers have direct and unique 
influence on people who are considering vocational ministry within 
our congregations; and 
WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers serve as celebrated ministry 
partners in support of pastors and  ministries that provide access to 
Word and Sacrament ministry in all corners of the district; and 
WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers have served in critical roles 
connecting the lost with a pastor and local congregation; and 
WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers are required to attend 
district conventions or supply an official excuse to the district office 
(Bylaw 4.8.2 [d]); and 
2026 Convention Workbook
485STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION