In 2023, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) convention adopted Resolution 9-06A, “To Appoint Task Force to Evaluate Current Electoral Circuit Parameters.” The evaluation was called for due to demographic changes that have caused a growing number of visitation circuits no longer to qualify as electoral circuits. In turn, this has caused a gradual decrease in the number of delegates attending convention.
The Res. 9-06A task force’s work is now complete, and the task force’s report is available. In addition to the report of the task force, two white papers are included that provide 1) historical context for the report and 2) a supplement to the first white paper that draws on the circuit alignment done for the 2026 convention and related 2024 statistical data to provide updated context for the task force’s recommendations.
LCMS Secretary Rev. Dr. John W. Sias offered insight into the task force’s work and the recommendations in the report.
“After considering a number of alternatives and much discussion in several well-attended meetings — and with the input of significant research efforts on actual and potential circuit formation, the health and well-being of circuits for purposes far beyond convention representation, and the relation of their electoral to their visitation work — a well-rounded task force has made some simple recommendations: to require six parishes instead of seven congregations in an electoral circuit, to remove upper bounds on parish and confirmed member count, and to eliminate the ability of the president to grant exceptions,” Sias said. “In effect, these simple changes would allow the size of the voting convention delegation to track changes in the Synod’s congregational and confirmed membership largely as it has, but without the lag or potential uncertainty introduced by exceptions.”
Task Force Chairman Rev. Larry Peters added: “Recognizing how important the health and vitality of the visitation and electoral circuit is to the district and Synod, the task force was guided in its task to support and encourage the work of both as key to the long-term effectiveness and success of the Synod, district and congregation. This led us to recommend modest but significant changes reflective of the input from pastors, circuit visitors, district presidents and Synod leadership and consistent with the goals and purposes of the Synod and its historic structure.”
Read/download the Task Force on Electoral Circuit Parameters report.
Posted April 7, 2026
