To Amend Bylaw 3.2.4 to Establish Term Limits for Synod President and Vice-Presidents

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod treasures faithful leadership rooted in God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, Scripture teaches that leadership in Christ’s Church is a stewardship, not personal possession (1 Cor. 3:5–9), and the Church flourishes when many servants exercise their gifts (Rom. 12:3–8; Eph. 4:11–12); and

WHEREAS, The history of the Church shows both the blessings of continuity and the dangers of undue concentration of authority, which term limits can help prevent; and

WHEREAS, Term limits encourage wider participation in leadership, raising up new servants for the sake of the Gospel’s advance; and

WHEREAS, Healthy turnover of leadership guards against stagnation, fosters humility, and reminds the Church that no one individual is indispensable, but Christ alone is head of His Church (Col. 1:18); and

WHEREAS, Term limits are a common practice in both civil society and the wider church, recognized as a way to ensure accountability and vitality in institutions; and

WHEREAS, Constitution Article XII governs districts and their presidents, and this overture does not propose to alter those provisions—thus district presidents may remain without term limits; 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) shall be three years; 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. (a) The President, First Vice-President, regional vice-presidents, Secretary, and members of all boards and commissions of the Synod who are elected by the Synod convention shall assume office on September 1 following the convention and shall be inducted into office on a date subsequent to September 1 following the convention. Members of college and university boards of regents elected by district conventions shall assume office upon the close of the convention at which they are elected. (b) In the interim, the newly elected President shall meet with the reelected and newly elected vice-presidents to assess the state of the Synod, to plan for the communication and carrying out of the resolutions adopted at the convention, to assign areas of responsibility to the vice-presidents, and to gather names and obtain information helpful for making wise appointments; he shall meet with the chairman and the staff supporting the boards and commissions to discuss their convention reports, to assess with them the financial support they will need; and he shall meet with the financial and administrative officers to assess the financial status of the Synod and the estimate of the financial resources available for the coming year. (c) The President of the Synod shall be limited to a maximum of five consecutive elected terms in that office. (d) The First Vice-President and each regional vice-president of the Synod shall be limited to a maximum of five consecutive elected terms in that office. (e) After reaching the maximum number of terms in office, an individual shall not be eligible for reelection to the same office. (cf) …

and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for all past and present officers of Synod who have faithfully served Christ’s Church, and pray that these term limits will serve the Gospel’s advance by encouraging renewal, accountability, and the raising up of future leaders.