Ad Crucem NewsLCMS 2026 ConventionOvertures
All 374 overtures filed for 2026.
Filter by floor committee, submitter kind, or filing district. Multi-select within an axis (OR), combine across axes (AND). Click an overture for the full WHEREAS- and-Resolved text.
To Support 150th Anniversary of Synod Black Ministry and Promote Renewed Emphasis
Submitted by: Southeastern District
To Give Thanks to God for 150 Years of Black Ministry
Submitted by: Northern Illinois District
To Encourage Outreach and Ministry on College and University Campuses
Submitted by: English District
To Encourage Congregations and Agencies to Work Together to Share Resources
Submitted by: commit themselves to working with district leadership in this effort.; Atlantic District
To Inspire Training for Witness
Submitted by: Oklahoma District
To Encourage Armed Security at All Synod Schools
Submitted by: Circuit 6 (Merrill); North Wisconsin District
To Pro actively Put in Place National Standards for Our Schools to Protect Students
Submitted by: Northwest/Central/North Shore), South Wisconsin District
To Include Home school Enrollment in Statistical Reports of the Synod
Submitted by: Circuit 14 (Austin); Minnesota South District
To Affirm Atlantic District Commitment to Education and Formation
Submitted by: Atlantic District
To State Religious Objection to Government Interference with Parents’ Duty
Submitted by: English District
To State Religious Objection to Government Interference with Parents’ Duty
Submitted by: Northern Illinois District
To Propose LCMS Men’s Ministry
Submitted by: Mid-South District
To Study and Recommend Strategies to Advance Congregation-based Older Adult Ministries
Submitted by: Southeastern District
To Celebrate 500th Anniversary of Luther’s Small Catechism and To Encourage Heads of Households to Teach It in Home
Submitted by: Missouri District
To Give Thanks for and Offer Renewed Commitment to Work of Atlantic District
Submitted by: of the Atlantic District.; Atlantic District
To Encourage Prayer, Partnership, and Participation in International Mission
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Encourage Every Congregation to Adopt a Missionary
Submitted by: SELC District
To Promote Awareness of Christian Adoption and Fostering Needs
Submitted by: Indiana District
To Give Thanks For and Support Human Care Efforts
Submitted by: Southeastern District
To Establish District Commission on Immigration and Immigration Resources
Submitted by: Atlantic District
To Encourage Acceptance of Triennial Mission and Ministry Emphases
Submitted by: Florida-Georgia District
To Prioritize Abiding in the Word as Mission and Ministry Focus
Submitted by: Kansas District
To Adopt Triennial Mission and Ministry Emphasis on Clear Gospel Proclamation, Unity in Christ, and Multicultural Ministry
Submitted by: Pacific Southwest District
To Offer Triennial Mission and Ministry Emphases
Submitted by: Nebraska District
To More Narrowly Focus the Synod’s Mission Priorities
Submitted by: Ohio District
To Affirm and Retain the Seven Mission Priorities
Submitted by: English District
To Address Synod Mission Emphasis of Making Disciples for Life and To Eliminate Mission Priorities
Submitted by: Atlantic District
To Task Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Write Report and Accompanying Study addressing Christian Nationalism in American Context
Submitted by: Oklahoma District
To Direct Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Address Christian Nationalism in American Context
Submitted by: Northern Illinois District
To Direct Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Examine, and Provide Guidance on Public Teaching and Engagement of, Lutherans for Racial Justice and to Clarify Lutheran Teaching on Justice
Submitted by: Circuit 12 (Western Michigan); English District
To Task Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Write Report and Accompanying Study addressing Positive Christianity (aka German Christianity) and Its Deviation from Orthodoxy and Ortho pra xy
Submitted by: Circuit 8 (Oklahoma City); Oklahoma District
To Request Commission on Theology and Church Relations Produce New Document on Race
Submitted by: English District
To Uphold Scriptural Teaching of Generations/Lineages and Reject Modernistic Teaching of Races
Submitted by: Rocky Mountain District
To Uphold Scriptural Teaching of the Church as One Chosen Generation in Spite of Existence of Various Earthly Races
Submitted by: Wyoming District
To Condemn False Teachings of “Stone Choir”
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Begin Preparations for New Hymnal
Submitted by: Nebraska District
To Give Thanks for Lutheran Hymnals and Call for Production of Supplement
Submitted by: and the involvement of the people of the district in it.; Atlantic District
To Require Use of Synod Approved Agendas and Hymnbooks at LCMS Youth Gathering
Submitted by: North Dakota District
To Require Use of Synod-Approved Agendas and Hymnbooks at Concordia University System Chapels, Lutheran Summer Camps, and Youth Gathering
Submitted by: Circuit 5 (Mitchell); South Dakota District
To Condemn Delivery of Children’s Sermons in Divine Service by Laity
Submitted by: North Dakota District
To Honor and Guard Chief Divine Service of Local Congregation
Submitted by: Circuit 14 (Austin); Minnesota South District
To Amend Bylaw 6.2.2 (a) to Revise Recognized Service Organization Requirement of 100 Percent Synod Board Membership
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Direct Offices of National and International Mission to Deny or Revoke Recognized Service Organization Status for Organizations Supporting, Advocating, or Otherwise Promoting LGBTQIA+ Agenda and Lifestyle, and To Amend Bylaws 6.2.3–4
Submitted by: Mid-South District
To Request Action and Closer Examination of Recognized Service Organization Status regarding Matters of Human Sexuality, and To Amend Bylaws 6.2.3–4
Submitted by: South Wisconsin District
To Offer Care and Support for Families Affected by Homosexuality, Transgenderism, and Sexual Libertinism
Submitted by: Missouri District
To Continue to Oppose Practice of Couples Living Together outside Marriage and To Support Pastors and Congregations Who Lovingly Call to Repentance, Give Absolution, and Help to Live in Harmony with God’s Word
Submitted by: Circuit 5 (Mitchell); South Dakota District
To Use Title Chaplain within the Synod Exclusively for Ordained Clergy
Submitted by: South Wisconsin District
To Encourage Use of Chalice
Submitted by: North Dakota District
To Celebrate Progress and to Encourage Increasing Faithfulness in Offering Every Sunday Communion
Submitted by: Minnesota South District
To Encourage Unequivocal Affirmation of First Communion Prior to Confirmation as God- Pleasing Practice and To Encourage Congregations to Commune Visiting Communicant Children
Submitted by: English District
To Call All in Synod to Love, Peace, and Brotherly Care
Submitted by: Christ Greenfield, Gilbert, AZ; Circuit 16 (Faribault), Minnesota; South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District
To Exhort Members to Earnestly and Regularly Pray for and Pursue Synodical Unity, and To Appoint a Task Force
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Address Persecution in the Church
Submitted by: SELC District
To Encourage Raising Up Public Servants
Submitted by: Texas District
To Provide Direction concerning Disputes Appearing on Social Media
Submitted by: Circuit 7 (Washington, East); Southeastern District
To Encourage Production of Sunday School Material for Very Small Congregations
Submitted by: Montana District
To Address Uses of Artificial Intelligence
Submitted by: Eastern District; Board of Directors, Eastern District
To Reject Use of Sermons Created by Artificial Intelligence
Submitted by: Montana District
To Acknowledge the Witness of Charlie Kirk and Establish September 10 as Day of Prayer for Faithful Witnesses in Our Time
Submitted by: Circuit 12 (Western Michigan); English District
To Recognize Charles James Kirk as Christian Martyr
Submitted by: 18 (Montevideo), Minnesota North District; Circuit 8 (Hastings),; Nebraska District; Circuit 8 (Mount Pleasant), Iowa East District
To Commend Confession That Charles James Kirk Died a Christian Martyr
Submitted by: Pastors’ Conference Wyoming District
To Address Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya Membership in Lutheran World Federation
Submitted by: North Dakota District
To Reconsider Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with The American Association of Lutheran Churches
Submitted by: Circuit 13 (Indiana); English District
To Encourage and Promote Biblical Teaching of Creation
Submitted by: South Wisconsin District
To Request Comprehensive Review When Call Is Terminated or Self-Terminated
Submitted by: English District
To Study How to Amend Practice of Issuing “Divine Calls” to Positions Not in Direct Service of Proclamation of Gospel and Administration of Sacraments
Submitted by: Montana District
To Encourage and Promote Sound Teaching on Eschatology or Last Things
Submitted by: Circuit 25 (Kenosha), South Wisconsin District; Circuit 26; (Racine), South Wisconsin District
To Reaffirm and Encourage Teaching and Practice of Closed Communion
Submitted by: Minnesota North District
To Request Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Produce Study Document to Further Understanding and Conversations on Pastoral Exceptions to Closed Communion
Submitted by: Circuit 13 (Indiana); English District
To Reaffirm Sanctity of Human Life in Regard to Practice of In Vitro Fertilization
Submitted by: Ohio District
To Address the Practice of In Vitro Fertilization
Submitted by: Wyoming District
To Rescind 1981 Resolution 8-05 and Request Commission on Theology and Church Relations Report on Human Organ Donation and Transplantation
Submitted by: Circuit 9 (Decatur); Indiana District
To Urge Church of Christ to Stay and Do Her Duty
Submitted by: Wyoming District
To Publicly Acknowledge Theological and Ecclesial Errors in Church’s Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
Submitted by: Circuit 9 (Nashville); Mid-South District
To Condemn Use of Women as Lectors
Submitted by: North Dakota District
To Reaffirm Doctrine of Men Serving in Office of Holy Ministry
Submitted by: Minnesota North District
To Reconsider Issue of Woman Suffrage in the Church
Submitted by: Circuit 8 (Horicon); South Wisconsin District
To Direct that the Synod and Its Commission on Theology and Church Relations Study and Reexamine Woman Suffrage in Light of Synod’s Historic Practice and Holy Scripture, so as to Address and Resolve Confusion and Disunity
Submitted by: Circuit 5 (Mitchell); South Dakota District
To Declare Center for Missional and Pastoral Leadership to be Heterodox Tract and Mission Society
Submitted by: Circuit 24 (Sedalia); Missouri District
To Address Release and Use of Luther’s Large Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications
Submitted by: North Dakota District
To Refer Some Assignments from Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Seminaries
Submitted by: Circuit 13 (SW 3); Ohio District
To Give Thanks to God for 1700th Anniversary of First Council of Nicaea
Submitted by: Atlantic District
To Require Theological Competency Standards for Eligibility to Exercise Ecclesiastical Oversight De Iure Humano
Submitted by: Pastors’ Conference (Oregon) Northwest District
To Encourage Transparency and Clarity in Pastoral Colloquy Process
Submitted by: Christ Greenfield, Gilbert, AZ; Circuit 16 (Faribault),; Minnesota South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District
To Encourage Transparency and Clarity in Pastoral Colloquy Process
Submitted by: Circuit 9; Texas District
To Reaffirm the Synod’s Routes to Ministry
Submitted by: Circuit 3; Southern Illinois District
To Affirm Exclusive Use of Synod Seminaries to Prepare Men for Office of Holy Ministry
Submitted by: Emmaus, Fort Wayne, IN; Good Shepherd, Pleasant Prairie, WI; Pastors’ Conference, South Wisconsin District; Pastors’ Conference, Wyoming District
To Affirm Exclusive Use of Synod Seminaries to Prepare Men for Office of Holy Ministry
Submitted by: Pastors’ Conference Mid-South District
To Strengthen Pastoral Formation in the Synod
Submitted by: Circuit 7 (Fort Wayne South); Indiana District
To Affirm That Pastoral Formation in the Synod Is Done by Synod-Approved Seminaries
Submitted by: Missouri District
To Affirm Exclusive Use of Synod Seminaries to Prepare Men for Office of Holy Ministry
Submitted by: Pastors’ Conference Indiana District
To Encourage Brotherly Speech about All Approved Pastoral Formation Routes and To Review Specific Ministry Pastor Pathways
Submitted by: Circuit 9; Texas District
To Encourage Synod Seminaries to Develop Online Master of Divinity Program
Submitted by: Circuit 29; Texas District
To Encourage Pilot Non-Residential Master of Divinity with Synod Seminaries
Submitted by: Circuit 16 (Faribault); Minnesota South District
To Ensure Pastoral Ministry in the Synod during Times of Shortage
Submitted by: Florida-Georgia District
To Expand and Strengthen Distance Learning Routes to Ordination
Submitted by: Southeastern District
To Give Thanks to God for Many Existing Routes to Office of Holy Ministry
Submitted by: Atlantic District
To Celebrate and Encourage Variety of Routes to Pastoral Formation in the Synod
Submitted by: Pacific Southwest District
To Celebrate and Encourage Variety of Routes to Pastoral Formation in the Synod
Submitted by: Northwest District
To Commend Residential Seminary Education and Voice Support for Synod Seminaries
Submitted by: two seminaries, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and Concordia; Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne.; Circuit 5 (Mitchell); South Dakota District
To Affirm Residential Pastoral Education at Our Seminaries
Submitted by: Iowa East District
To Amend Bylaw 2.13.1 to Regularize Non-residential Routes under Specific Ministry Pastor Classification
Submitted by: Mid-South District
To Encourage Equal Outcomes in Routes to Pastoral Formation in the Synod
Submitted by: Pacific Southwest District
To Encourage Further Consideration of Requiring Successful Completion of Specific Ministry Pastor Coursework before Ordination and Placement on Ordained Roster
Submitted by: Mid-South District
To Broaden and Reopen Specific Ministry Pastor Program for Wider Pastoral Formation and Service
Submitted by: Circuit 16 (Faribault); Minnesota South District
To Reduce Restrictions on Specific Ministry Pastors
Submitted by: Florida-Georgia District
To Implore Council of Presidents to Fulfill 2019 Resolution 6-03A re Supervision of Specific Ministry Pastors
Submitted by: SELC District
To Amend Bylaw 3.10.4.6 to Expand Pastoral Formation Committee for Broader Representation
Submitted by: Christ Greenfield, Gilbert, AZ; Circuit 16 (Faribault),; Minnesota South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District
To Amend Bylaw 3.10.4.6 to Revise Composition of Pastoral Formation Committee
Submitted by: The Executive Director of the Office of Pastoral Education Board of Directors; Southeastern District
To Amend Bylaw 3.10.4.6 to Expand Pastoral Formation Committee
Submitted by: The Executive Director of the Office of Pastoral Education Board of Directors; Michigan District
To Study the Feasibility of Intentional Seminary Professor Turnover and Parish Sabbatical
Submitted by: Circuit 14 (Austin); Minnesota South District
To Encourage the Council of Presidents to Prioritize Assignment of Seminary Candidates to Sole Vacancies over Associate Positions
Submitted by: North Dakota District
To Participate in Building Culture of Church Work Formation and Recruitment
Submitted by: Mid-South District
To Encourage Recruitment of Commissioned Workers
Submitted by: Texas District
To Encourage Young People to Enter Church Worker Vocations
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Support Bi- and Co-vocational Pastors and Their Congregations
Submitted by: Southeastern District
To Encourage Secular Vocational Training for Current and Potential Ordained and Commissioned Ministers
Submitted by: North Dakota District
To Encourage Ministry Sabbaticals for Church Workers
Submitted by: Florida-Georgia District
To Standardize Vacancy Pastor Remuneration Guidelines
Submitted by: Circuit 13 (Rock Island); Central Illinois District
To Celebrate and Encourage Lay Service
Submitted by: Pacific Southwest District
To Celebrate and Encourage Lay Service
Submitted by: Southeastern District
To Affirm That Functions of Pastoral Office Belong to That Office
Submitted by: Circuit 14 (Austin); Minnesota South District
To Define and Affirm Lutheran Identity
Submitted by: Pacific Southwest District
To Define and Affirm Lutheran Identity
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Pause and Correct Deficiencies in Lutheran Identity and Mission Outcomes Standards
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Encourage Congregations to Include in Annual Mission Budgets Support for Regional University of Concordia University System
Submitted by: English District
To Strengthen Our Process for Supporting Our Concordias
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Support and Clarify Prior Approval Process
Submitted by: Pacific Southwest District; Circuit 1, Northern Illinois District
To Clarify Prior Approval Process and Provide Appropriate Transparency
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Support and Clarify Prior Approval Process
Submitted by: Florida-Georgia District
To Amend Bylaws to Support and Clarify Prior Approval Process
Submitted by: Southeastern District
To Review and Clarify Prior Approval
Submitted by: Missouri District
To Support and Clarify Prior Approval Process for Theological Faculty and Presidential Candidates for Concordia University System
Submitted by: Minnesota South District
To Support and Clarify Prior Approval Process
Submitted by: Northwest District
To Clarify Prior Approval Process for Theological Faculties and Concordia University Presidents and Selection Process for Seminary Presidents
Submitted by: Northern Illinois District
To Support and Clarify Prior Approval Process Rationale
Submitted by: California-Nevada-Hawaii District
To Encourage Greater Transparency in Prior Approval Process
Submitted by: Atlantic District
To Appeal for Recognized Ecclesiastical Relationship with Luther Classical College
Submitted by: Wyoming District
To Give Thanks for Board of Regents of Concordia College—New York
Submitted by: Atlantic District
To Give Thanks for Leaders Who Developed Concordia University Wisconsin / Ann Arbor Partnership
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Conduct a Project Postmortem Examination of Concordia University Ann Arbor
Submitted by: to the Synod and to all district presidents.; Michigan District
To Request Transparency from Concordia University Wisconsin—Ann Arbor
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Amend Bylaws to Ensure Sustainability of Concordia Plan Services by Its Working with Other Church Bodies
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Stabilize the Cost of Benefits Offered by Concordia Plan Services
Submitted by: South Dakota District
To Request Additional Resources using New King James Version
Submitted by: South Wisconsin District
To Open Access to Lutheran Confessions
Submitted by: Rocky Mountain District
To Open Access to Lutheran Confessions
Submitted by: Minnesota North District
To Open Access to Lutheran Confessions
Submitted by: Minnesota South District
To Direct Concordia Publishing House to Prioritize Mission and Distribution
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Encourage Synod Transparency and Unity regarding Concluded Hot Chalk Litigation
Submitted by: Circuit 27 (Livonia); Michigan District
To Encourage Transparency and Accountability in Legal Judgments and Settlements
Submitted by: Circuit 27 (Livonia); Michigan District
To Direct Board of Directors to Review and Publish Comprehensive Accounting of LCMS Monies Spent on Hot Chalk, Concordia University Texas, and Hong Kong International School Association Limited Litigation
Submitted by: Christ Greenfield, Gilbert, AZ; Circuit 16 (Faribault),; Minnesota South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District
To Reclaim Beneficial Understanding of Our Synodical Union
Submitted by: Montana District
To Develop Overture for Change in Regional Vice-President Selection
Submitted by: Florida-Georgia District
To Appoint Task Force to Improve District Representation on Synod Boards, Boards of Regents, and Commissions
Submitted by: Eastern District; Board of Directors, Eastern District
To Amend Bylaw 3.2.4.1 to Limit Terms of Office for President, First Vice-President, Regional Vice-Presidents, and Secretary
Submitted by: Circuit 21 (Oconomowoc); South Wisconsin District
To Amend Bylaw 3.2.4 to Establish Term Limits for Synod President and Vice-Presidents
Submitted by: Circuit 18; Texas District
To Give Commissioned Ministers the Franchise and To Study Equal Lay and Clergy Representation on Boards and Other Bodies
Submitted by: Circuit 14 (Austin); Minnesota South District
To Amend Constitution Article XII 10 a to Provide Option of Appointing Ordained or Commissioned Minister as District Convention Rostered Voting Delegate
Submitted by: Circuit 1; Northern Illinois District
To Strengthen Convention Participation of Ministers of Religion—Commissioned
Submitted by: Northwest District
To Strengthen Nonvoting Advisory Role of Commissioned Ministers at Synod Conventions
Submitted by: California-Nevada-Hawaii District
To Amend Bylaw 3.1.6.2 to Allow Pastoral Circuit Meetings and Teacher Groups to Submit Overtures
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Bring Resolutions with Strong District Support to Convention Floor
Submitted by: Eastern District; Board of Directors, Eastern District
To Provide Clarity about Amendments to Resolutions
Submitted by: Florida-Georgia District
To Amend Const. Art. VIII A 1 to Change to Four-Year Convention Cycle
Submitted by: Southeastern District
To Amend Bylaw 4.2.2 to Grant Lay Vote to Every Congregation at District Conventions
Submitted by: congregation has its own lay vote at district conventions.; Southeastern District
To Permit Majority Voting in Electronic Decisions for Synod Boards and Agencies
Submitted by: Nebraska District
To Amend Bylaw 3.6.4.3 to Clarify That All Lutheran Church Extension Fund Voting Directors are Elected and To Add That No More Than Two Such Directors Can Be from the Same District
Submitted by: the director moves from one district to another during the term.; Board of Directors, Lutheran Church Extension Fund
To Clarify Multi point and Multi campus Parish
Submitted by: Nebraska District
To Encourage Visitation by Synod and District
Submitted by: Wyoming District
To Develop Guidelines for Ecclesiastical Supervision of Internet Accusations
Submitted by: Florida-Georgia District
To Address Use of Named or Anonymous Social Media Accounts to Create Strife and Division within the Church
Submitted by: Oklahoma District
To Amend Bylaw 4.4.6 (c) to Require Reporting All Complaints to Subjects
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Provide Scriptural Reforms to Dispute Resolution Process
Submitted by: Circuit 24 (Sedalia); Missouri District
To Amend Bylaw 1.10.2 to Render Dispute Resolution Non-Exclusive Remedy
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Require No One to Participate in the Dispute Resolution Process
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Allow Parties to Delay Hearing to Await Commission Opinion
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Amend Bylaw 1.10.18.1 (g) to Allow Parties to Record Proceedings
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Direct Revisions to Bylaw Section 1.10 Standard Operating Procedures Manual re Witnesses and Evidence
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Amend Bylaw 1.10.7.4 to Allow Advisors to Represent Parties in Dispute Resolution Process
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Amend Bylaw 1.10.10.1 to Provide for Reconciler Reviews
Submitted by: position. Vacancies shall be filled by the district board of directors; in the same manner as regular appointments. The district board of; directors may add to the district roster of reconcilers a reconciler; who has moved into the district from another district.; Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Amend Bylaw 2.13.3.2 to Make Restriction Appeals Public Record and to Allow Further Review
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To Require Completion of Ecclesiastical Investigations and Strengthen Response to Clergy Sexual Misconduct/Abuse
Submitted by: Christ Greenfield, Gilbert, AZ; Circuit 16 (Faribault),; Minnesota South District; Circuit 28, Pacific Southwest District
To Certify Accuracy and Trustworthiness of Call Documents
Submitted by: Circuit 43 (St. Joseph); Michigan District
To Allow Pastors to Opt Out of Pre-Call Interviews and/or Contact
Submitted by: Wyoming District
To Amend Bylaw 2.10.3 to Allow District Presidents to Share Issues prior to Installation
Submitted by: Circuit 3 (Baltimore East); Southeastern District
To More Directly Oversee Service of Ordained Ministers to Congregations to Which They Have No Formal Call
Submitted by: Circuit 14 (Austin); Minnesota South District
To Encourage Pastors to Honor Their Own Call
Submitted by: Northern Illinois District
To Call for Publication of Council of Presidents Manual
Submitted by: Michigan District
To Provide Compensation for Circuit Visitors
Submitted by: Minnesota North District