To Amend Bylaw 3.1.2 to Expand the Number of Circuit Delegates to Synod Conventions and to Include Ministers of Religion—Commissioned

Preamble This overture amends the district voting delegate structure for Synod conventions by expanding the number of delegates each circuit may appoint from two to four. The two new delegates include an additional lay voting delegate and a commissioned minister voting delegate. This approach acknowledges that the service and experience of commissioned church workers is unique and vital to the schools, congregations, recognized service organizations, and communities that the Synod serves while maintaining the current representation of ordained pastors and laity.

WHEREAS, Rostered workers, such as deaconesses, teachers, directors of Christian education (DCEs), and other ministers of religion—commissioned (commissioned ministers) provide essential spiritual, educational, and administrative leadership in the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers are trained and Synod approved for calls, and have made vows to uphold Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, meaning they are uniquely positioned to have significant insights into matters of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The current voting structure excludes commissioned ministers from ever serving as delegates, making them essentially voiceless members of the Synod, and yet their ministry and their life in the Church are impacted by decisions made in convention; and

WHEREAS, The Synod values the unique contributions of all those called to service in the church and wishes to ensure their representation in a way that respects the unique capacities of the ordained pastoral office while preserving the balance of roster ed church workers and laity; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.2 be amended as follows: PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Voting Delegates 3.1.2 Electoral circuits shall meet as required by the Bylaws of the Synod to elect circuit voting delegates to the Synod’s national conventions. … (c) Voting delegates shall consist of one pastor, one commissioned minister, and one layperson two laypersons from each electoral circuit. These pastoral and lay delegates and their alternates shall be elected according to the regulations of the Synod (Bylaw 3.1.2.1). (d) The commissioned minister and lay delegate delegates shall serve throughout the triennium following the convention as an advisory member of the circuit forum.

and be it further

Resolved, That other bylaws which pertain to this change also be updated to reflect this new voting structure of four circuit delegates;

and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod’s Commission on Constitutional Matters assist districts in preparing changes to their bylaws to be amended at the next district convention following the 2026 Synod convention.