Convention takes action on electoral circuits, leadership structure, regulation of agencies

(LCMS/Erik M. Lunsford)

By Stacey Eising

During its work at the 69th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in Phoenix, Floor Committee 9 (FC9, Structure and Administration) presented several resolutions, now adopted, that will have an impact on the Synod’s structure and life together.

New parameters for electoral circuits

Due to shifting demographics across the LCMS, it has become increasingly difficult in recent convention cycles for visitation circuits to meet the parameters for an electoral circuit. Many circuits have had to either request an exemption from the LCMS president or combine in order to form electoral circuits to send delegates to the convention. This has led to a decreasing number of delegates to the convention and somewhat uneven standards for representation. Further, there was some ambiguity regarding how multi-congregation parishes crossing district or circuit lines should be counted.

At its 2023 convention, the LCMS appointed a task force to evaluate the parameters for electoral circuits and suggest any recommended changes. After extensive research and surveying of pastors and leaders across the Synod, the task force recommended new parameters intended to “more closely connect the number of delegates to the actual size of the Synod and the number of its parishes.”

Most of these new parameters for electoral circuits were adopted by the Synod (Res. 9-13) in convention by voice vote:

Electoral circuits must now comprise “at least six parishes” (change from “7 to 20 members congregations”).

Congregations in multi-congregation parishes that cross district lines are counted as a fraction of a parish (1/2 for each congregation in a dual parish, 1/3 for each congregation in a tri-parish, etc.).

The upper limitations — on the number of congregations and confirmed members that may make up an electoral circuit, and on the number of visitation circuits that may combine into an electoral circuit — have been removed.

One of the task force’s recommendations, to remove the possibility of exceptions granted by the LCMS president, was removed from the resolution by an amendment from the floor, which passed by 54.33%.

With these new parameters adopted, the difficult but important work of electoral circuit restructuring can begin, with an eye toward a more accurate delegate representation at the next LCMS convention.

Update to LCMS leadership positions

An update to the LCMS Bylaws called for by Res. 9-08 (adopted by voice vote) combined the formerly Bylaw-mandated positions of LCMS chief financial officer and chief administrative officer into one new position: chief operating officer (COO). The LCMS COO will report directly to the LCMS Board of Directors. The intention of this change is to streamline the work previously carried out by these two officers and to address areas of overlap.

Another resolution, 9-09, further fleshed out the role of the COO by giving it direct supervision of the Synod’s communications and fundraising units, which had formerly been overseen by the LCMS chief mission officer, who reports to the Synod president. This shift places communication and fundraising under the direct supervision of the LCMS Board of Directors, while keeping in place certain requirements for presidential approval in these areas.

New ‘taxonomy’ approved for instrumental entities and agencies

The complex update to the Bylaws presented in Res. 9-11 (adopted by 73.39%) seeks to provide clear categories for the regulation of LCMS agencies and to allow for some new opportunities for ministry.

Prior to the adoption of this resolution, the various agencies through which LCMS entities conduct business were governed by a smattering of outdated regulations found in the Bylaws and a 1981 convention resolution. Many Synod entities (districts, universities, seminaries, Lutheran Church Extension Fund [LCEF], Concordia Plan Services [CPS], etc.) had encountered roadblocks to work due to these out-of-date regulations. The LCMS Board of Directors thus gathered together various Synod entities over a period of more than a year to receive feedback and work to develop new, updated Bylaw language that would better serve the work of those entities.

A helpful explanation of the updates made, and the reasons for them, can be found in this interview in an episode of The Lutheran Witness podcast conducted prior to the convention.

In summary, the resolution divides “agencies” into two categories: governed and managed. Governed agencies will operate under former regulations, while managed agencies will have increased flexibility on how their boards of directors are constituted.

The resolution also adds Bylaw language about “non-agency instrumental entities,” recognizing two entities that do not properly belong under the category of “agencies”: passive investment entities and special-purpose entities. Passive investment entities are necessary for large-scale investments, such as those the LCMS Foundation and CPS manage. A new category, called “special-purpose entities,” will govern non-LCMS agencies formed to partner with Synod entities on particular projects — allowing for certain opportunities, such as real estate redevelopment of properties, in service of the church’s mission. This allows for districts to maintain a “ministry foothold” in areas of very expensive real estate when a congregation closes and donates its property to the district. These special-purpose entities will operate under different parameters than governed and managed agencies but must be individually approved by the LCMS Board of Directors.

A related resolution, Res. 9-12, adopted by voice vote, amends the Bylaws to codify the provision of “real estate … resources and services” as one purpose of LCEF. This clarifies that such real estate advisory services, which LCEF has already been providing to ministries of the Synod, are appropriate.

With these updates passed, various Synod entities can continue ongoing work with greater confidence and clarity, and others can, with the Synod’s endorsement and clear regulation, launch into ministry-supporting projects that have until now been on hold.

Posted Aug. 6, 2026