To Amend Bylaw 3.2.4.1 to Limit Terms of Office for President, First Vice-President, Regional Vice-Presidents, and Secretary

WHEREAS, The Lord gifts all people with many and diverse gifts; and

WHEREAS, Paul acknowledges this truth in 1 Corinthians 12:28– 31 with reference specifically to the Office of the Holy Ministry, where it is written, “And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts”; and

WHEREAS, The Lord has gifted the church with many faithful men who possess the gifts of leadership and administration; and

WHEREAS, We are discouraged from trusting in human princes— precisely because of their humanity—rather than in God who alone saves and endows all pastors with these various gifts, as it is written in Psalm 146:3, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation”; and

WHEREAS, All elected offices in the world and in the church, including the elected offices of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, are often very stressful and take their toll on any and all who hold them; and

WHEREAS, We should always be concerned for the physical, emotional, and spiritual welfare of all who hold office in our Synod, that they not become negatively impacted by their work and are encouraged to return to their lives after service, healthy at all levels; and

WHEREAS, One ofthe benefits of term limitation isthat it focuses the office holder by helping him to see what limits there are to his time and the authority of his office; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has already seen the wisdom of limiting the tenure of board and commission members; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.2.4.1 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Terms of Office 3.2.4.1 As to reelection, the The offices of President, the first Vice- President, regional vice-presidents, and Secretary shall be without limitation as to reelection limited to four consecutive terms or a maximum of 15 years lifetime in one particular office. …

and be it further

Resolved, That this amendment take immediate effect, meaning that the count of consecutive terms begin with the convention at which the amendment is adopted.