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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 522

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Overtures 
3.1.6.2 Overtures to a convention of the Synod may be submitted 
only by a member congregation of the Synod, a convention or board 
of directors of a district, an official district conference of ordained 
and/or commissioned ministers, the faculty of an educational 
institution of the Synod, the Board of Directors of the Synod, a board 
or commission of the Synod listed in Bylaws 3.2.2, 3.2.2.1, 3.2.3, 
and 3.2.3.1, or a committee established by a prior convention, or a 
forum of a circuit. 
… 
and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw section 5.3 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
5.3 Circuit Forums 
… 
5.3.5 The circuit forum shall be qualified to submit overtures to 
national and district conventions. 
St. John 
Seward, NE 
Ov. 9-37 
To Amend Bylaw 3.1.6.2 to Allow Pastoral Circuit 
Meetings and Teacher Groups  
to Submit Overtures 
WHEREAS, The Synod  specifies that c ongregations are 
encouraged to submit ideas, suggestions or overtures to their circuit 
forum (Bylaw 5.3.1); and c ongregations, boards of d irectors, 
professional church worker conferences, educator/teacher 
conferences, as well as c ircuit forums, may forward overtures for 
the consideration of the Synod convention; and 
WHEREAS, Circuit forums and p rofessional church worker 
conferences are not designed for  deliberation of complex and 
potentially divisive issues; and circuit forums and congregations are 
not wise settings for revealing serious issues in the Synod or 
districts; and 
WHEREAS, In the past, pastoral circuits and teacher groups were 
allowed to  submit overtures, and t hey had both the time and 
structure for extensive study and debate leading to wise proposals; 
Therefore be it 
Resolved, That the  Synod again allow p astoral circuits and 
educator/teacher groups to submit  overtures to the Synod and 
districts; and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.6.2 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Overtures 
3.1.6.2 Overtures to a convention of the Synod may be submitted 
only by a member congregation of the Synod, a convention or board 
of directors of a district, an official district conference of ordained 
and/or commissioned ministers, the faculty of an educational 
institution of the Synod, the Board of Directors of the Synod, a board 
or commission of the Synod listed in Bylaws 3.2.2, 3.2.2.1, 3.2.3, 
and 3.2.3.1, a committee established by a prior convention, district 
pastoral circuits and educator/teacher groups, or a forum of a circuit. 
…  
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 9-38 
To Amend the Bylaws to Require Sixty-Percent 
Affirmative Vote for All Non-Election Matters 
WHEREAS, The Synod is united in doctrine and practice by a 
commitment to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, 
requiring a high degree of consensus on matters of significance; and 
WHEREAS, Decisions adopted by a narrow simple majority (50 
percent plus one) may not reflect the broad consensus of the 
Synod’s delegates, leading to perceived institutional instability, 
division, or resistance to implementation among the congregations 
and workers of the Synod; and 
WHEREAS, The adoption of major resolutions, particularly those 
impacting the Synod’ s structure, mission priorities, or financial 
commitments, benefits from a stronger mandate to ensure unity of 
purpose and widespread support; and 
WHEREAS, A requirement for a greater majority margin for non-
election decisions would promote more robust discussion, 
encourage amendments that build broader consensus, and increase 
the Synod’s institutional unity in its adopted positions; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws already require 
a two-thirds majority for certain significant actions (e.g., changes to 
the Constitution, doctrinal resolutions), demonstrating that a higher 
threshold is appropriate for consequential votes; therefore be it 
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.1 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
3.1 National Conventions 
3.1.1 The national convention of the Synod shall afford an 
opportunity for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the 
communication of vital information. It is the principal legislative 
assembly, which amends the Constitution and Bylaws, considers and 
takes action on reports and overtures, and handles appropriate 
appeals. It establishes general positions and policies of the Synod, 
provides overall program direction and priorities, and evaluates all 
such positions, programs, policies, directions, and priorities in order 
to provide responsible service for and on behalf of its members. Only 
a national convention of the Synod shall authorize affiliation or 
association and the discontinuance of such affiliation or association 
of the Synod with other church bodi es, synods, or federations.  
Except as otherwise provided in the Constitution or Bylaws (e.g., 
Constitution Article XV for constitutional amendments), a 
resolution or motion shall be adopted by a majority of the delegates 
voting, the majority being more than one -half of the votes cast (ie., 
greater than 50 percent). However, for all resolutions and motions 
on the convention floor, except for elections for office, the majority 
of adoption shall be 60 percent or more of the votes cast, unless a 
higher threshold is already required by the Constitution or Bylaws. 
and be it further 
Resolved, That this supermajority requirement shall not apply to 
procedural motions, the adoption of minutes, or other routine, non-
substantive business as determined by the chair; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Synod ensure that voting 
procedures and electronic systems are configured to apply this 
requirement appropriately; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook and the 
Commission on Constitutional Matters be directed to make all 
necessary and corresponding amendments, cross -references, and 
editorial adjustments throughout the B ylaws to maintain 
consistency with this provision; and be it finally 
2026 Convention Workbook
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