The First Vice-President is a full-time executive of the Synod elected by the Synod at each convention. He is responsible to the President for the performance of his duties, many of which are established by the President ( [i] and 3.3.2.2 [a]). Among his duties that are established by bylaw are to serve as: • chairman of the Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry (Report R2.1);
- chairman of the Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry (Report R2.2);
- a nonvoting member of the Board of Directors;
- a voting member of the Council of Presidents, where he also serves on the Program Committee; and
•a nonvoting member of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
The First Vice-President serves along with the five regional vice-presidents and the President on the Praesidium (Report R3). In addition to the duties listed above, during this triennium, the President also appointed the undersigned to serve as a regent for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. In that capacity, he also served on the Academic Committee. The summary paragraph above, along with the detail provided in the three reports immediately following this one, encapsulates most of the First Vice-President’s activity during this triennium. A significant aspect of his work that isn’t covered elsewhere in these reports is that the First Vice-President often serves as a liaison between various Synod leaders and the Synod President. This is especially true of his work with the district presidents. In this role, the First Vice-President assists the President through: • regular communication with the chairman of the Council of Presidents;
- regular communication with district presidents regarding colloquy applicants;
- regular communication with district presidents, especially newer ones, to answer questions and assist them in the conduct of their office;
- regular communication with district presidents regarding matters of concern involving their districts that are brought to the attention of the Synod President (as well as assisting with responses to those who reach out to the Synod President);
- communication with district presidents regarding attendance at district conventions by the Synod President and vicepresident(s);
- a triennial orientation of new district presidents, together with the Synod President and others, on the nature and conduct of their office (Bylaw 3.3.1.3 [b]);
- a triennial orientation of new district presidents, together with the Synod President, on how to conduct a district convention;
- regular reports to the Council of Presidents on colloquy and other matters; and
- annual presentations to the district presidents’ administrative assistants, especially on colloquy matters.
Preparation for the Synod convention is another major area of work for the First Vice-President. This work begins approximately 18 months before the convention by working with the Secretary of the Synod to prepare district presidents for the circuit exception process (). As circuit data and exception requests come into the Office of the President, the First Vice-President assists the President, who ultimately decides on these exception requests ( [b]). Assisting the President with floor committee assignments () and the orientation of floor committee chairs and vice-chairs to their work is another aspect of the First Vice President’s duties. The First Vice-President also helps review all overtures to the convention ( [c]). Finally, he is responsible for writing a report on his work (Report R2), the work of both colloquy committees (Reports R2.1 and R2.2), and the work of the Praesidium (Report R3).
Lastly, the First Vice-President participates in frequent meetings of the Office of the President and regular meetings of the Administrative Team (). Though the work of the First Vice-President is largely administrative, he strives to stay diligent in the daily study and hearing of God’s Word and to proclaim that Word as time and opportunity allow. And, with all who serve in the Synod’s national office, he is honored to support the congregations, schools, agencies, and organizations of the Synod in giving bold witness by word and deed to the love and work of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “We Preach Christ Crucified!” Peter K. Lange, First Vice-President