HOUSTON—Delegates adopted the first three resolutions proposed by the floor committee for Planning and Administration during their initial day of business at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s 63rd Regular Convention here July 15.
Those actions amend bylaws for the 2.5-million-member national church body.
The first adopted resolution (7-01A) specifies biographical information that should appear in the Convention Workbook about nominees for election at Synod conventions –- particularly nominees for president and the five vice presidents.
The adoption of Resolution 7-02 authorizes a change to Synod Bylaw 2.11.1 (k). By adding the words, “solely governed by congregations of the Synod,” the change clarifies the roster status of LCMS administrators and staff serving in Lutheran schools. The change grew out of confusion about the roster status of staff and administrators serving in schools operated by associations that include non-LCMS Lutheran congregations.
The last of the three Planning and Administration resolutions adopted July 15 amends Bylaw 3.2.5 of the Synod. It deals with “requirements for determining the slate to be considered for filling vacancies on elected boards and commissions by the appointing authority.”
Whereases of that resolution state:
• “confusion has become apparent regarding bylaw requirements for determining the slate to be considered for filling vacancies on elected boards and commissions by the appointing authority.”
• the bylaw “currently allows for broad input in gathering a list of nominees,” including “the [list] of candidates from the previous convention of the Synod.”
The convention action simply states that “the appointing board may not amend this list of candidates.”
The 2007 LCMS triennial convention is meeting here July 14-19 under the theme “One Message –- Christ! His Love is Here for You!”
