By Sarah Reinsel
MILWAUKEE — On the final day of the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), Floor Committee (FC) 12 on Structure and Administration presented three resolutions to delegates. Two passed; one failed.
The first resolution presented by FC 12, Res. 9-10A, calls for amendments to Bylaws 3.6.4 and 3.6.4.4.1 to clarify the use of financial resources from Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). LCEF was founded in order to support LCMS ministry, witness and outreach by “traditional support” — that is, “providing financial resources and related services to support rostered church workers, congregations, schools, recognized service organizations, auxiliaries, districts, colleges, universities and Synodwide corporate entities.”
The amendment concerns the partner churches who are in altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS. As it stands, “traditional support” does not explicitly include partner churches; the amendment adjusts the Bylaws to include partner churches as directed by the Synod Board of Directors and Synod president.
LCMS Chief Mission Officer Rev. Kevin Robson spoke before the assembly, strongly urging delegates to adopt this resolution. The motion carried unanimously by voice vote.
Res. 9-09A, “To Appoint a Task Force to Consider Implications of Adopting Four-Year Convention Cycle, calls for this task force to “prepare an overture or overtures to implement a four-year convention cycle, including necessary Constitution and Bylaw changes.”
During the debate of this resolution, FC 9 Vice-Chairman Rev. Robert D. Beinke, LCMS Nebraska District president, pointed out that resolutions to switch to a four-year convention cycle had been voted down at convention twice in the past. A change of this kind to the LCMS Constitution would require a two-thirds vote among delegates; it would then have to be ratified by a two-thirds vote of LCMS congregations.
The resolution to appoint a task force failed, with 61.13% of delegates voting against the resolution.
Res. 9-12, “To Amend Bylaw 3.12.2.4 to Change How Subsequent Ballots are Determined in Election of Synod President,” was presented by the Rev. Daniel E. Grams, FC 12 committee member from the LCMS English District. The amendment would end the practice of dropping candidates from the ballot when they receive less than 15% of the vote.
Synod Secretary Rev. Dr. John W. Sias explained the resolution: “We allow enough runoff elections already. … This practice of dropping the below-15% candidates does reduce the freedom of choice of voters in subsequent ballots. [Ending the practice is] a simplification and one that increases the freedom of voters in subsequent ballots.”
After some debate, the assembly voted to call the question. The resolution passed with 68.24% of the delegates voting in favor.
This vote concluded the business of FC 12 at the 2023 convention.
Posted Sept. 1, 2023
2023 LCMS Convention
Under the theme “We Preach Christ Crucified,” the 68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod met July 28–Aug. 3, 2023, at the Baird Center in Milwaukee.
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