Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 84

2026 Convention Workbook
49
OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
A. International Efforts
The CAO works with Synod legal counsel, foreign legal coun-
sel, and the Office of International Mission to determine how to 
best structure LCMS operations in the many foreign countries 
where we work. These efforts are critical for protecting LCMS as-
sets abroad, protecting LCMS employees working abroad, and pro-
tecting LCMS assets in the U.S. by ensuring appropriate structures 
are in place. As we clarify a strategy and preferred methodology for 
entering a country, this work can shift from setting up new entities 
to managing and maintaining what’s already in place.
B. Operations Team
The CAO is charged with convening the Operations Team, com-
prised of the CAO, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Mission Of-
ficer of the Synod. This meeting provides a regular forum to ensure 
operational and strategic alignment across LCMS programs. 
The Operations Team regularly meets with leaders of LCMS 
operational units including Human Resources, Information Tech-
nology, Operations Support Services, and others to align key efforts 
in those areas.
C. Process Improvement
As mentioned in the Chief Financial Officer report (Report 
R5.2), we have been working to improve the tools and processes we 
use to do the work of the Synod. A key effort currently underway 
is implementation of a new constituent relationship management 
system, which is a key tool used daily by many of the employees 
of the Synod, helping manage relationships with donors, congrega-
tions, church workers, other entities, and more. This program has 
brought together a substantial portion of our workforce to ensure 
our many varied requirements are met, and the objectives of the 
program include increasing efficiency in how we work, improving 
our relationships with constituents across the Synod, and identify-
ing opportunities to increase revenues. 
We cannot accomplish the work given to us by convention in 
support of the Synod without the significant support of the church, 
via your prayers, time, talents, and treasures. I pray that the Lord 
continues to bless our efforts for the good of the Synod, recogniz-
ing that in all things His will is done, that the world may know that 
Christ Is Risen Indeed. 
Nathan M. Haak, Interim Chief Administrative Officer
R5.1.1
Event Planning and Procurement
The Event Planning and Procurement Group provides exem -
plary event planning services, including hotel negotiation, travel, 
housing, transportation, and conference needs for all LCMS or -
ganizations resulting in enormous cost savings and efficient event 
planning. The services are provided for national and international 
events, including Synod conventions, LCMS Youth Gatherings, 
and a variety of organizational needs. Since the 2023 Synod con-
vention, this department has deftly renegotiated for hundreds of 
meetings as well as planned and assisted with nearly 1,000 offsite 
events, accommodating an estimated 200,000 people.
Lynne C. Marvin, Senior Director
R5.1.2
Human Resources
Christ Is Risen Indeed! The LCMS Department of Human Re-
laws, and resolutions. For this reason, the BOD is always steadfast 
in maintaining that all officers and agencies of the Synod must al-
ways respect and serve the congregations by complying with the 
decisions the congregations have made in the Synod Constitution, 
Bylaws, and resolutions. 
Another challenge faced by the BOD is the apparent lack of 
appreciation of some Synod agencies and officials of the breadth of 
the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Historical and recent 
opinions by the U.S. Supreme Court have consistently affirmed the 
great protections given to us as a church body in the U.S. to both 
freedom of religion and the avoidance of government compulsion 
on how we conduct our affairs as a Christian church body. The First 
Amendment is not just an individual right—the First Amendment 
broadly protects the church’s power to decide internal matters of 
faith, doctrine, and governance free from state interference. It is a 
limitation on government authority founded in the Establishment 
Clause and Free Exercise Clause. The BOD, from time to time, en-
counters arguments or resistance to how Synod congregations have 
chosen to organize and conduct their business. Sometimes these 
arguments incorporate a lack of understanding of the broad scope 
of our First Amendment rights. Bylaw 1.2.1 (f)(2) reminds us of the 
congregations’ directive in this regard: While the Synod “intends to 
acknowledge its responsibility to be subject to civil authority, in all 
such references [to laws] the Synod intends to retain all authority 
and autonomy allowed a church under the laws and Constitution of 
the United States and the State of Missouri.”
To ensure a better understanding of our First Amendment rights 
across the Synod, the BOD intends to continue to highlight the im-
portance of our First Amendment and other religious rights. This 
will be done with the training provided to the Concordia university 
boards of regents under Bylaw 3.10.6.2.2 and when the opportunity 
otherwise arises.
The members of the BOD express their sincere thanks to the 
Synod for the special privilege afforded them to serve the Lord by 
serving the Synod’s congregations and other members.
Christian A. Preus, Chairman
R5.1
Chief Administrative Officer
The work of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) is suc-
cinctly described in Bylaw 3.4.2: the CAO “shall assist the Board 
of Directors of the Synod in carrying out the responsibilities given 
to it by the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod.” 
Over the past triennium, there was significant work related to legal 
matters. The CAO’s office manages these efforts by coordinating 
LCMS legal counsel, local legal counsel, stakeholders internal and 
external to corporate Synod, the Board of Directors, and others as 
necessary. With three significant legal matters active during large 
parts of the triennium (HotChalk, Concordia University Texas, and 
Hong Kong International School Association, Ltd.), and other items 
frequently arising requiring attention, this was no small task during 
the last triennium.
Beyond these legal efforts, and in other work with many exter -
nal stakeholders including Concordia University System and the 
Concordia universities, the CAO represents and supports the Synod 
Board of Directors and undertakes significant efforts in the work of 
corporate Synod, some of which are highlighted as follows: