To Continue Four-Year Convention Cycle

WHEREAS, Many congregations are facing significant financial pressures that have led to pastors seeking secular employment, to multi-point parishes, and even to closure. These pressures also necessitate greater grassroots dialogue and collaboration at the circuit level. The costs associated with district and national conventions are ultimately borne by congregations, for whom the current three-year cycle leads to a heavy burden. The rising costs of such conventions should cause the Synod to consider how to practice wise stewardship and facilitate conversations at the grassroots level that could lead to greater collaboration and aid our walking together; and

WHEREAS, The upheaval of the last three years and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s ability to respond to such upheaval at a national, district, circuit, and congregational level has shown that a four-year cycle was tenable and that district and Synod leadership were able to response to issues without waiting for conventions; and

WHEREAS, Moving to a four-year convention cycle would demonstrateasensitivity to the challenges facing congregations and the commitment to practice wise stewardship so that less funds are taken from the support of ministry and mission work; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod adopt a four-year convention cycle;

and be it further

Resolved, That the four-year cycle would be as follows:

• year one: circuit forums meet for the purpose of discussions of theology and collaborative efforts in ministry and mission work;

• year two: district conventions;

• year three: circuit forums for the purpose of theology and collaborative efforts in ministry and mission work; and

• year four: national convention;

and be it further

Resolved, That the President of the Synod, district presidents, and circuit visitors and their respective staffs utilize the extra year to accomplish visitation in a more reasonable and equitable fashion;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents develop additional resources to assist the circuit visitors in facilitating circuit forums and the renewed emphasis on visitation; and be it further

Resolved, That this become effective upon completion of the 2023 convention and shall affect every Synod and district convention thereafter; and be it further

Resolved, That bylaw provisions shall be determined for adoption at the 2023 convention for immediate implementation of election cycles, terms of office, staggering terms, and any other necessary issues that arise prior to the 2027 convention; and be it further

Resolved, That Constitution Article VIII A 1 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Article VIII Synodical Meetings

A. Time and Legality of Meetings meeting. …

and be it finally

Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook be charged to change all additional related bylaws to bring them into conformity with such a four-year cycle.