To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Delegate Participation at Convention

WHEREAS, Currently, there are 12,010 ministers of religion— commissioned (Church Worker Update System, March 2021) who serve the mission and ministry of congregations, schools, child development centers, camps, compassion centers, and mission work throughout the national and global mission fields; and

WHEREAS, The current structure of the Synod does not allow for a third category of voting delegates at district and Synod conventions (Constitution Articles IX; XII 10 b); and

WHEREAS, The Synod highly values ministers of religion— commissioned for their eagerness to serve the Lord and His Church (2019 Resolution 9-17, “To Study Voting Privilege in the LCMS,” Proceedings, 201); and

WHEREAS, ministers of religion—commissioned are considered advisory members with representation, voice, but no vote at conventions of districts and Synod, along with “those ordained ministers not eligible for election as a voting delegate under Bylaw

3.1.2.1 (d) …” (Bylaw3.1.3)with representation, voice, but no vote at conventions of districts and Synod; and

WHEREAS, Some districts utilize the voice and guidance of their ministers of religion—commissioned in district conventions through a non-counted advisory member vote; and

WHEREAS, The Atlantic District has passed resolutions in previous conventions to study and garner the guidance of ministers of religion—commissioned; and

WHEREAS, This honors the by law and structure of the convention while allowing the nonvoting advisory delegate voice to be heard and their vote recognized; therefore be it

Resolved, That the district enable nonvoting advisory delegates to provide a preliminary non-binding poll of resolutions, not elections, during its regular conventions; and be it further

Resolved, That each circuit forum elect two advisory delegates, at most one of which is a minister of religion—ordained, who shall exercise the privilege of voting in polls at regular conventions of the district; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of the advisory poll be announced prior to the delegate vote; and be it further

Resolved, That this become effective with the next district convention in 2025; and be it finally

Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize Synod in convention to pass a like-minded resolution.