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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 529

Resolved, That the Synod take up this “dialog” by a renewed 
study of the Holy Scriptures’ teaching concerning the church and 
its ministries, focusing on God’s will for those who serve and teach 
His people, and on the proper terms to describe this, reexamining 
the changes in terminology that the Synod has made over time; and 
be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod recognize that using biblical 
terminology to refer to pastors, ministers, teachers, and other 
workers in the church is in harmony with the Constitution and 
Bylaws of the Synod, and may be used in the Constitutions and 
Bylaws of the Synod’s  districts and congregations instead of the 
terminology that is used by the government; and be it further 
Resolved, That, in an effort to remove confusion over the use of 
the term pastor or minister, the Synod encourage congregations to 
issue Divine Calls to “retired” pastors, who are willing and able to 
perform Word and Sacrament ministry in the absence of (or in an 
assisting capacity to) full- time pastors, in order to reinforce the 
biblical teaching that those who are “apt to teach” are actually 
authorized to do so by means of a call or appointment to a 
congregation or mission, not only by certification by the Synod as 
someone qualified to do so; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod in convention hereby overturn CCM 
Op. 25 -3053 and 25- 3053A and any others, insofar as they have 
expressed a preference for the terminology of the Constitution and 
Bylaws of the Synod over the historical and biblical use of the term 
pastor and avoidance of calling other church workers ministers; and 
be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod go back to using biblical terminology 
wherever possible in its Constitution and Bylaws, choosing more 
biblically accurate ways to refer to church workers, keeping in mind 
how we may explain our terminology and practices to a government 
that does not share our biblical faith or use biblical terminology. For 
example, if we wish to retain two categories, they could be: pastors 
and other approved/appointed/authorized church workers; pastors 
could be divided into the categories of pastor s/overseers/doctors 
and pastors with limitations (including current specific ministry 
pastors, candidates without call, retired pastors, and chaplains 
authorized for Word and Sacrament ministry outside of 
congregations); approved/appointed/authorized churc h workers 
could include parochial school teachers who meet the requirements 
to teach the Bible and Lutheran theology (current “called” teachers), 
directors of Christian education, deaconesses, cantors, and other 
church musicians who would be authorized to pick the texts of 
music sung in Divine Services. 
Zion, Taylor Ridge, IL;  
Board of Directors, Central Illinois District 
Ov. 9-49 
To Clarify Multipoint and Multicampus Parish 
WHEREAS, The creating or planting of new multi-point parishes, 
campus locations, or outreach locations across circuit lines, or 
without clear communication among area or affected congregations 
and ministries, causes unneeded tension; and 
W
HEREAS, There are currently no clear guidelines about how to 
deal with cross-circuit or district lines of these locations; and 
WHEREAS, There are no current Synod or district tools to deal 
with these growing issues; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Nebraska District in convention request that 
the Synod study the interactions between multi -campus, multi -
parish, and regular congregations in order to offer guidance on how 
such congregations may best work together in planting, 
consolidating, and establishing satellite campuses with respect to 
circuit boundaries; and be it further 
Resolved, That in the meantime, the district encourages multi -
campus and multi -point congregations to communicate and 
collaborate with brother pastors and congregational leaders of 
congregations or ministries that may be affected by expansion in 
their area; and be it finally 
Resolved, That a congregation planning new multi-point campus 
locations, outreach locations, or a new parish, communicate with 
the district’s Missions and Revitalization Office and the local 
circuit. 
Nebraska District 
Ov. 9-50 
To Adopt Dual Title of Bishop and President  
for District Presidents 
WHEREAS, The English District, Atlantic District, and 
Southeastern District of the Synod have adopted the dual title of 
bishop and president utilizing president in administrative and board 
settings and bishop in congregational and pastoral contexts; and 
WHEREAS, The Greek term episcopos, often translated as bishop 
appears in scriptural passages such as 1 Timothy 3; 6 and Titus 1, 
describing one who watches over and provides care for the flock of 
Christ; and 
W
HEREAS, The role of a bishop has traditionally been understood 
as the pastor to pastors, serving as spiritual caregiving and shepherd 
to those entrusted with the care of Christ’s people; and 
W
HEREAS, The historical use of the term bishop dates back to the 
Council of Nicaea and has been regularly applied to men serving as 
leaders within the Christian church; and 
W
HEREAS, The designation of bishop  emphasizes the spiritual 
and pastoral nature of the office in contrast to the corporate title 
president, which aligns with legal and administrative functions; and 
WHEREAS, The term bishop carries significant weight and is 
recognized as a respected spiritual office by many in our church 
communities and broader Christian world, facilitating a contextual 
understanding that is both spiritually grounded and relational; and 
WHEREAS, The title bishop is associated with a pastoral, caring 
approach distinguishing from more administrative connotations 
associated with the term president; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod strongly encourage districts to adopt 
and implement the title bishop  for the district president when 
serving in spiritual and pastoral capacities among congregations, 
while retaining president for administrative and corporate purposes; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod strongly encourage districts to adopt 
and implement the title bishop and president emeritus  for former 
district presidents. 
Board of Directors 
Eastern District 
2026 Convention Workbook
494 STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION