To Amend Bylaws regarding Per man en cy of District and Synod Presidents to Better Reflect Confessional Principles on Authority

Rationale Bylaws 1.2.1 (j) and 2.12.1 acknowledge that the district and Synod Presidents are ecclesiastical supervisors. Bylaw 2.14.1 recognizes that ecclesiastical supervision includes the power to exclude congregations and certain individuals from fellowship. This description of ecclesiastical oversight conforms to the definition of ecclesiastical power found in the Augustana’s 28th Article. The Augustana’s28th Article, The Apologyto the Augustana’s28th article, as well as the Power and Jurisdiction of the Bishops lay out that obedience is due to those who hold ecclesiastical authority so long as they do not become enemies of the Truth, nor be they tyrants. As a historical example of this desire for obedience, the Apology to the Augustana’s 14th Article affirms the Lutheran church’sdesireto submit to the bishops,yet the bishops’ cruelty and suppression of the truth hindered them from doing so. The district presidents, holding ecclesiastical authority over those roster ed pastors and congregations of their districts, ought to be subject to the same desire by those under them. Likewise, should the district presidents seek to be in submission to the President of the Synod, who holds the very same authority over them as they do the parish presbyters, so long as he remains orthodox and does not hinder the faith. Yet the current Bylaws of Synod militate against true obedience to orthodox presidents. Under the current Bylaws, every district and Synod President shall have his authority challenged every three years,even if he errs in not one iota of his writing nor in one moment of his actions. Orthodox presidents ought not have their authority revoked nor challenged. It has normalized challenging one’s ecclesiastical overseer for his position, without a good and God- fearing reason. Attempts to unseat laudable presidents is rebellion again those who have been placed over us (Heb. 13:17). Assuch, to combat the environment which has normalized frivolous challenges to good ecclesiastical overseers, district and Synod Presidents ought not be subjected to scheduled and reoccurring elections. Rather, they should remain in their office of ecclesiastical oversight until such a time comes when they ascend to the Lord, retire, or are removed for reason of persistent theological error, grave public sin, refusal to fulfill the duties of the office, or misuse of the authority of the office. Therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Terms of Office

3.2.4 The term of office of all elected officers of the Synod (Bylaw 3.2.1), excluding the district and Synod President, shall be three years; of district and Synod President’s life, or until their resignation, expulsion (Bylaws 2.15, 2.16),or de pos al; of the elected members of the Board of Directors and all other boards and commissions of the Synod six years; of all members of college and university boards of regents three years; and of all appointed members of boards, commissions, and standing committees three years, unless these Bylaws specifically provide otherwise. …

and be it further

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

3.2.4.1 The offices of President, the first Vice-President, regional vice-presidents, and Secretary shall be without limitation as to reelection.

(a) If the President resigns or is otherwise removed, or the First Vice-President, or Secretary are not reelected or do not stand for re-election, they shall continue to receive full salary for a period of six (6) months while rendering transitional service. …

and be it further

Resolved, That the2023Synod convention authorize the creation of a task force to create a proposal regarding the creation of a process allowing for the deposition of district and Synod Presidents;

and be it further

Resolved, That the task force be made up of the following members:

• The Secretary of the Synod

• Arepresentativeof the Commission on Handbook elected by the commission

• A representative of the Commission on Constitutional Matters elected by the commission

• One district president selected by the President of Synod

• One representative from each LCMS seminary, elected by the faculty

• One representative chosen by the LCMS Board of Directors

and be it further

Resolved, That the proposal will only allow depositions to take place under one of the following situations:

• The Synod or district president is in grave public sin

• The Synod or district president is promoting a theological error condemned by the Synod

• The Synod or district president is refusing to exercise his office, letting theological error spread unopposed in his district

• The Synod or district president is attempting to enforce jurisdiction not given to him under the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod

• The Synod or district president is abusing his position as ecclesiastical overseer

and be it further

Resolved, That the task force will seek and take into consideration the advice of those churches in altar and pulpit fellowship with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod whodo not currently elect their ecclesiastical supervisors to a set term; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force be encouraged to study and propose further changes to the Bylaws to increase compatibility with the removal of the terms for the offices of district and Synod Presidents;

and be it finally

Resolved, That all proposals made by the task force shall be released to the public for comment at least one year before the 2026 Synod convention for public input, with the final proposals being submitted in time for inclusion in the 2026 Convention Workbook and action by the 2026 Synod convention.