To Amend Bylaws to Refine Process for Creating Triennial Mission and Ministry Emphases

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention (2023 Res. 4-02) instructed the Board for National Mission and the Board for International Mission to offer a recommendation to the 2026 Synod convention for refining the process for adopting triennial mission and ministry emphases; and

WHEREAS, The Bylaws require the Synod in convention to approve triennial mission and ministry emphases with aprocessthat requires input from every circuit and district of the Synod (Bylaws 3.8.2.2, 3.8.3.2; 4.2.1 [b, d]; 5.2.3 [g], 5.3.1 [a][5]); and

WHEREAS, The mission boards of the Synod conducted extensive fraternal discussions with every district of the Synod over the past triennium about the work of the Synod and the triennial mission and ministry emphasis, including the procedure for developing triennial mission and ministry emphases; and

WHEREAS, These fraternal discussions with the districts concluded that the current procedure for developing triennial mission and ministry emphases has proven to be cumbersome and unworkable; and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s mission boards and the Council of Presidents are to assist the President of the Synod in establishing the goals for mission and ministry of the Synod (Bylaws 3.3.1.1.1 [a], 3.8.2, 3.8.3); therefore be it

Resolved, That the two mission boards, in collaboration with the President of the Synod, and in continued fraternal dialog with the districts,be charged with recommending to the Synodin convention triennial mission and ministry emphases for adoption; and be it further

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.3.1.3 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Powers and Duties – Ecclesiastical and Administrative 3.3.1.3 The President shall have responsibilities and duties that are both ecclesiastical and administrative. … (q) He shall collaborate with the Board for National Mission and the Board for International Mission in assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphases.

and be it further

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.2.2 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Board for National Mission … 3.8.2.2 The Board for National Mission shall, during the course of each triennium between national conventions of the Synod, work with the Board for International Mission to gather pertinent and sufficient information from the Synod’s members that will facilitate the boards’ assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphases, and shall, in collaboration with the President of the Synod, after fraternal dialogue with the districts, develop accordingly a joint overture to the national convention for beneficial amendments there to. The boards shall also provide a joint report in advance of the Synod’s district conventions, offering ideas and guidance for proposing triennial mission and ministry emphases to the national convention.

and be it further

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.8.3.2 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Board for International Mission … 3.8.3.2 The Board for International Mission shall, during the courseofeachtrienniumbetweennationalconventionsofthe Synod, work with the Board for National Mission to gather pertinent and sufficient information from the Synod’s members that will facilitate the boards’ assessment and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphases, and shall, in collaboration with the President of the Synod, after fraternal dialogue with the districts, develop accordingly a joint overture to the national convention for beneficial amendments there to. The boards shall also provide a joint report in advance of the Synod’s district conventions, offering ideas and guidance for proposing triennial mission and ministry emphases to the national convention.

and be it further

Resolved, That Bylaw 4.2.1 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 4.2 District Conventions 4.2.1 Conventions of the districts shall afford opportunities for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of vital information. They are the principal legislative assemblies, which amend the district’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, consider and take action on reports and overtures, and handle appropriate appeals. (a) The conventions of the districts shall be governed by the bylaws adopted by the Synod for its conventions, insofar as these may be applicable. (b) The district convention is the instrument to receive overtures (Bylaw 3.1.6.2), including overtures and recommendations for synodwide mission and ministry emphases submitted by member congregations and adopted by a circuit forum. (c) Following in-depth study and discussion, the district convention shall act on the overtures and may, as determined by the convention, submit overtures to the national convention. (d) The district convention shall, through delegate vote, forward to the national convention a list of two or three triennial mission and ministry emphases for consideration by the national convention. …

and be it further

Resolved, That Bylaw 5.2.3 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 5.2 Circuit Visitors … 5.2.3 Each circuit visitor shall assist the district president within the circuit. … (g) He shall assist in the development and attainment of Synod- wide mission and ministry emphases. …

and be it finally

Resolved, That Bylaw section 5.3 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 5.3 Circuit Forums 5.3.1 The circuit forum is the group which aids the process of keeping congregations, particularly the lay leaders, commissioned ministers, and pastors, supportive of one another in their common confession and mutually active in developing programs for the good of member congregations, in considering and recommending new work, and in suggesting improvements for services and programming at the national and district levels and is encouraged to meet at least twice a year. (a) The circuit visitor shall endeavor to provide resources, opportunities, and assistance so God’s people can grow in their faith. (b) Among the functions which the circuit forum may perform are the following: (1) To study the Scriptures and the Confessions in order to promote an evangelical spirit in our walking together. … (5) To serve as a setting to review and evaluate programs, plans, and long-range directions of the district and the Synod and thus participate in the triennial process of suggesting, developing, and attaining the Synod’s priorities and goals. … 5.3.4 The circuit forum may also participate in the triennial process of suggesting, developing, and attaining the Synod’s priorities and goals. …