To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Role of Commissioned Ministers at Synod Conventions

WHEREAS, There are well over 10,000 ministers of religion— commissioned (including candidates and emeriti) who serve in roles such as classroom teachers, early childhood teachers, educational administrators, deaconesses, camp directors, directors of parish music, directors of Christian education, directors of Christian outreach, university professors, district and Synod staff, as well as in the foreign mission field; and

WHEREAS, Commissioned ministers are considered advisory members at district and Synod conventions, with a representative voice, but no vote; and

WHEREAS, Various districts (Pacific Southwest, California- Nevada-Hawaii, and Northern Illinois) have incorporated methods of hearing the guidance of commissioned ministers at their conventions using a non-binding advisory poll of the opinion of commissioned ministers, with results broadcast to the convention, prior to regular delegate votes on appropriate, non-election, convention actions, as determined by the chair; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has a legacy of promoting and supporting the role of non-ordained, full-time church workers with the establishment of Lutheran colleges dating back to the 1800s, initially designed to train classroom teachers, which has now been followed with the creating of specialized training programs for other commissioned ministry positions, as they have been established by the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod develop a similar process practiced by several district conventions by which the voice of representative advisory commissioned ministers be used during Synod convention business, incorporating a process of a non-binding poll, with results broadcast to the convention, prior to regular delegate votes on appropriate, non-election, convention actions, as determined by the chair; and be it further

Resolved, That this action be memorialized to the 2026 Synod convention.