“Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32)

Purposes of this Pre-ConventionDelegate Orientation

General Orientation

Items of Importance

Purposes of Convention

Duties of a Delegate

Major Convention Matters

The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

What is a Synod?


A group of faithful Lutheran Christians empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacrament working, walking and worshiping together

Essentially, a voluntary association of congregations and ministers of religion (ordained and commissioned)

United by a common confession of faith grounded in Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions

Focused primarily on missions, Christian education and human care

2.34 Million Baptized members 1.80 Million Confirmed members 6,170 Congregations 24,000 Professional Church Workers

• 18,000 Teachers (6,000 Commissioned)• 6,000 Pastors


35 Districts 60 Separate Corporations 2700 Elementary Schools (Pre-K -> 8th Grade) 100 High Schools 10 Colleges and Universities 2 Seminaries


Districts of the Synod

Reasons for the Forming of a Synodical Union

1. The example of the apostolic church. Acts 15:131

2. Our Lord's will that the diversities of gifts should be for the common profit. 1 Corinthians 12:431

The Synod, and every member of the Synod, accepts without reservation:

1. The Scriptures of the Old and the NewTestament as the written Word of God andthe only rule and norm of faith and of practice

2. All the Symbolical Books of the EvangelicalLutheran Church as a true and unadulteratedstatement and exposition of the Word of God

The Synod’s Confessional Basis

The Lutheran Confessions

Apostles’, Nicene, Athanasian Creeds Unaltered Augsburg Confession Apology of Augsburg Confession Smalcald Articles Treatise on Power and Primacy of Pope Luther’s Large Catechism Luther’s Small Catechism Formula of Concord

Summary of The Objectives of the LCMS

1. Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith; work toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies; provide united defense against schism, sectarianism, and heresy . . .

2. Strengthen congregations and their members in giving bold witness to the love and work of the true God and extend that Gospel witness into all the world . . .

3. Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for continuing growth . . .

4. Express Christian concern, love, compassion . . .

5. Aid congregations in Christian education and establish agencies of Christian education . . .

6. Aid congregations in recognizing, promoting, expressing, conserving, and defending their confessional unity in the true faith . . .

7. Encourage congregations to strive for uniformity in church practice and develop appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs in harmony with our profession of faith. . .


8. Provide evangelical supervision, counsel and care for professional church workers of the Synod in the performance of their official duties . . .

9. Provide protection for congregations and professional church workers in the performance of their official duties and the maintenance of their rights. . .

10. Aid in providing for the welfare of professional church workers and their families in the event of illness, disability, retirement, special need, or death.


The Mission of the LCMS

In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of the LCMS is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities and the world!

General Orientation

Welcome to Houston! Godspeed as you travel! A unique experience awaits you! Registration materials at GRB, Second Floor National Offering, “ONE People—Sharing Christ’s Love,” will be

collected at the opening worship service– National and International Mission Planting – Congregation Revitalization – Stewardship Renewal and Education – Additional National Synod Mission and Ministry Needs

https://catalog.lcms.org/GiveNow/Gift_Input.asp?ID=827




Pre-convention

Prayer Opportunities– Prayer lists on the Web site– 24/7 Prayer Vigil week of convention, sign-up on

convention Web site began in May

Devotions– “Forgiven to Forgive” devotion book

“This We Believe: Selected Topics …”– Distributed to voting and advisory delegates

Purposes of National Convention

Opportunities for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, communication of vital information

Principal legislative assembly, amends Constitution and Bylaws

Considers and takes action on reports and overtures

Elects national officers and members of boards and commissions


Establishes general Synod positions and policies

Provides and evaluates overall programs, policies, directions, priorities

Provides responsible service for and on behalf of its members

Handles appropriate appeals


“Only a national convention of the Synod shall authorize affiliation or association of the Synod with other church bodies, synods, or federations, and the discontinuance of such affiliation or association.” (LCMS Bylaw 3.1.1)


Bylaw 3.1.2.2 Responsibilities of Delegates Congregations shall not require their

delegates to vote in accordance with specific instructions...

Every delegate shall be permitted to vote according to his or her own conviction...

Delegates are nevertheless responsible to the circuits they represent...


They shall attempt to discover the sentiment of the members of their circuit…

They shall be faithful in attendance at all sessions of the convention...

After each convention they shall report the actions of the Synod to their circuits...

Voting delegates shall serve a three-year term beginning with the convention...


They shall function as advisory members of the circuit forum...

They shall serve as resource persons in the circuit...

They shall assist in the dissemination and implementation of Synod resolutions in their area.

Special First Day EventsSaturday, July 10

Floor Committee Open Hearings, 9 am–12 noon– Committees 1-7 – Hilton Hotel– Committee 8 – GRB General Assembly Theater– Floor Committee 8 on Friday – July 9, 1:30-5:50 pm

Delegate Orientation, GRB, 1:30-3:00 p.m.

(All delegates should attend this session)

Opening Convention Worship Celebration with Holy Communion, GRB, 4:00 p.m.

All-Delegate Dinner, Hilton, 6:30 p.m.

Special Notes about Convention Agenda

As previously communicated, following those actions that must be conducted in order for the convention to convene and that are in accord with bylaw requirements, such as credentials report, adoption of standing rules, agenda, and President’s report, the first two days of the convention will be dedicated to matters regarding Synod structure and governance.

On Sunday, following the prayer service and necessary business, Floor Committee 8 will present structure and governance proposals to include floor discussion, primarily Q&A for the purpose of clarification. No action will be taken on resolutions unless discussion is completed and/or delegates decide to begin action.

Special Notes about Convention Agenda

On Monday morning, convention delegates will be asked if they are ready to act on structure and governance resolutions. If so, then resolutions will be considered. If not, then discussion/Q&A will continue with the President asking delegates at regular intervals if they are ready to act.

On Tuesday morning, if not already completed, action will be taken on structure and governance resolutions that impact the election of officers and national structure. Election of officers will begin Tuesday afternoon.

Convention Agenda

Tentative schedule for convention was finalized after floor committee May 21-23 weekend – Printed in the first issue of Today’s Business – Posted on the convention Web site– Handout today

A gavel–to-gavel Web cast of the convention proceedings will be broadcast on Synod WEB site: www.lcms.org

http://www.lcms.org/

About the Convention: Use of Electronic Devices*

Area of Convention Hall

Type of Use Permitted in Designated Area

Voice Text MessagesOther Electronic

Communications, including laptops

Laptop Computers

(no communication, e.g. e-mail, Internet)

Voting And Advisory Delegates

No No No Yes

COP, BOD, CCM, COS, Press, Special Guests

NoYes,

convention business only

Yes - - -

Visitors, Front Half Seating Area

No Yes Yes - - -

Visitors, Back Half Standing Area

Yes Yes Yes - - -

Convention Staff, All Areas of Hall

Yes Yes Yes - - -

* Subject to adoption in convention Standing Rules. Note: No extension cords allowed or electrical connections provided.

Election of Officers– President– First Vice-President– Vice-Presidents Two, Three, Four, Five– Secretary– Vice-President-Finance—Treasurer, unless

otherwise determined by convention action– Board of Directors

Election of other Boards and Commissions

ElectionsIn Order of Election

Convention Business

Review Carefully the “Biographical Synopses & Statements of Nominees” from the Convention Nominations Committee

Consider the tasks of each office and the experiences of those nominated for such offices

Ignore voting lists from unofficial publications

Election of Synod Officers

Convention Business

Principal Business of Convention

The principal business of a convention of the Synod shall be the consideration of reports and overtures (ref. Bylaw 3.1.6)

All reports and overtures accepted by the President in accordance with the bylaws of the Synod shall be referred by him to convention committees (ref. Bylaw 3.1.7)

Convention Business

Convention Floor Committees

#1 Missions #2 District and Congregational Services #3 Theology and Church Relations #4 Administration and Finance #5 Seminary and University Education #6 Human Care #7 Ecclesial Matters#8 Synod Structure and Governance#9 Registration, Credentials and Elections#10 Nominations

Convention Business

Convention Resolution Process:An Overture Summary

Submission of Overtures by Congregations, Conventions, Conferences, Boards, etc.

Review of Overtures by Synod President and Legal Counsel (Bylaw 3.1.6.2.c) for:

– Material error– Apparent misrepresentation of truth or character– Potential civil action for libel or slander

Review of Overtures by Floor Committees Floor Committee Action:

– Submission of Overture to Convention via Resolution – Inclusion of Overture in Omnibus Resolution – Declination of Overture

Convention Business


Additional Overtures not in the Workbook– Received but inadvertently left out of Workbook – See Today’s Business (TB) pp. 24-28

Late Overtures – Received after deadline – Considered important and urgent by Synod President, First

Vice President and Secretary per Bylaw 3.1.6 (a)– See TB pp. 29-46

Convention Business


Omnibus Overtures Resolution A TB p.47

– Overtures request action that is a responsibility of various boards, commissions or individuals to study and implement and need to be referred to such

Resolution B TB p. 48– Issues have been acted on by previous Synod conventions

Resolution D TB p. 49– Overtures of thanks and commendation

Convention Business

The following slides provide a summary of some of the matters submitted in the reports and overtures for floor committee consideration. This overview highlights the theme and scope of some of the key issues to be considered by each floor committee for convention resolutions. To view all submitted items, read the Convention Workbook.

Floor Committee Considerations: A Summary of Matters Submitted

Committee Considerations

1-01 Completion of “Fan Into Flame” – Formal completion on 10-31-2011

1-02 Provide Guidance for Future Direction of Ablaze!

– Evaluate with Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions 1-03 Increase Outreach to Immigrants at

Congregational Level 1-04 Respond to Opportunities for Outreach to

Muslims 1-05 To Affirm & Encourage Military Chaplains 1-06 To Encourage Participation in Operation

Barnabas

MissionsFloor Committee # 1


1-07 Encourage Inter-District Dialogue in the Establishment of New Church Starts, Satellite Worship Sites and Specialized Ministries Across Geographical District Lines

1-08 Encourage the “Wittenberg Project” as a Gospel Outreach Opportunity

1-09 Respectfully Decline Overtures – Overtures 1-06, 1-07, 1-08 & 1-11



1-09 Respectfully Decline Overtures – 1-06 Provide Exclusively Lutheran Theological

Training for Missionaries – 1-07 Set Aside Reformation Day 2010 for

Fasting, Prayer, Confessions and Repentance 1-08 Encourage Visitation by District Presidents of Other Districts’ Institutional Ministries

– 1-11 Ask CTCR and Seminaries to Evaluate Transforming Churches Network



2-01 Continues Support of Children’s Ministry, Family Ministry, School Ministry, Singles’ Ministry, Stewardship Ministry and Youth Ministry

2-02 Assist Congregations and Support Workers in Planning and Implementing “Reduction in Force Policies

2-03 Appoint a Commission to Study Congregational Size, Generations and Life-Stage Ministries

2-04 Encourage Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families

District & Congregational ServicesFloor Committee # 2


2-05 Commend These on Worship and Model Theological Conference on the Theology of Worship

2-06 Encourage Study of the Lutheran Confessions During Reformation Celebration

2-07 Compensation for Professional Church Workers– Calling entities encouraged to follow district

guidelines



2-08 Respectfully Decline Overtures– 2-09 Direct CPH to release 1986 translation of

Small Catechism – 2-10 Publish Orthodox translation of Bible– 2-11 Instruct CPH to Stop Using ESV– 2-17 Give Thanks for Dedication of Issues, Etc. – 2-18 Encourage Support for Issues, Etc. – 2-19 Commend Issues, Etc. – 2-10 Support the Ministry of Issues, Etc.



3-01 Commend the International Lutheran Council and LCMS Task Force on Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions

3-02 Support Confessional Lutheranism at Home and Abroad 3-03 Cooperation in Externals with Theological Integrity

– CTCR & Praesidium develop in-depth theological criteria to assess cooperative endeavors with ELCA & report to next convention

3-04 Amend Bylaw 3.9.6.2.2 re Altar & Pulpit Fellowship with small, Formative or Emerging Confessional Lutheran Churches

– After consultation the Synod President can make a declaration 3-05 Request a Thorough Response to ELCA Social Statement

Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust– CTCR and seminaries’ faculties

Theology and Church RelationsFloor Committee # 3


3-06 To Commend Creator’s Tapestry 3-07 Prepare New Studies on Biblical

Interpretation 3-08 Encourage Collaboration Between

CTCR and seminaries’ faculties 3-09 Decline Overture 3-16

– Different ILC Church Fellowship Practices



3-10 To Respectfully Decline Overtures– 3-09 To End All Official Talks with ELCA– 3-10 To Request the Synod President Not to

Attend ELCA Churchwide Assemblies– 3-31 To Return to a Scriptural Position on Birth

Control



4-01 To Lead Districts and Synod in a Stewardship Renaissance

4-02 To Address Synod’s Financial Crisis 4-03 Broadly Communicate the Statement of Financial

Position of LCMS 4-04 Study Higher Education System and Bring an

Action Plan to the 2013 LCMS Convention 4-05 Revise Synod Election Process

– No more than one member from each category and no more than two from any one district.

Administration and FinanceFloor Committee # 4


4-06 Amend and Restate Articles of Incorporation 4-07 Amend Bylaws re Convention Preparations 4-08 Improve Procedure for Establishing Synod

Convention Times and Locations 4-09 Amend Bylaw 3.1.7 re Convention Committees 4-10 To Return LCEF Bylaw 3.6.4.4 to Pre-2004

Wording 4-11 Provide Definition for Term “Operating Board” 4-12 Clarify Definition of “Governing Board”



4-13 Change Auxiliary Terminology– Presidents become “chief elected officers”

4-14 Amend Bylaw 1.5.3 re Agency Meeting– Agencies choose meeting formats

4-15 Change Composition of Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support – From 13 members to 7



4-16 Respectfully Decline Overtures – 4-09 Compile Report on Designated Gifts– 4-10 Curb Synod’s Finances– 4-21 limit Convention Time of Incumbent Prior to

Presidential Elections– Allocate Investment Earnings Back to Human Care



5-01 Recruit and Retain Full-Time Church Workers

5-02 Celebrate and Support “For the Sake of the Church”

5-03 Address Lay Deacons 5-04 Increase Impact of Vicarage Program 5-05 Support Pastoral Formation

Seminary and University EducationFloor Committee # 5


5-06 Revise Bylaw 3.8.3.7.2 re Election Process for College & University Presidents

5-07 To Revise Bylaw 3.8.3.7 re College & University Presidents Responsibilities

5-08 Revise Bylaw 3.8.3.5 Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry

5-09 Revise Bylaw 3.8.3.6.2 re Board of Regents Qualifications 5-10 Clarify Bylaw 3.8.3.8.2 re Promotion of Faculty 5-11 Clarify Bylaw 3.8.2.7.2 re Promotion of Faculty 5-12 Revise Bylaw 3.8.3.8.3 (b) re Faculty Appointments



5-13 Respectfully Decline Overtures– 5-16 Provide Specific Ministry Pastor (SMP)

Students the Same Core Curriculum as Residential Seminary Students

– 5-22 Direct President Clarify Teaching of Six-Day Creation in Synod Schools

– 5-23 Oppose evolution and commend Creation Research Society and creation museum



6-01 Commend LCMS Disaster Relief Work, Particularly Haiti 6-02 To Be a Light for Life 6-03 Amend Bylaws to Allow the Extension of Calls to

Institutional Chaplains and Counselors 6-04 Combat Malaria 6-05 Encourage Continued Emphasis on Prison and Jail

Ministry 6-06 Continue Work Initiated by the Prevention of Domestic

Violence and Child Abuse Task Force 6-07 Support Efforts to End Human Trafficking/Slavery

Human CareFloor Committee # 6


7-01 Encourage the Task Force on Synodical Harmony

7-02 Affirm Ecclesiastical Supervision 7-03 Provide for Removal of Individual Board or

Commission Members 7-04 Approve Changes to the Process of Bylaws

2.14, 2.15 and 2.17 7-05 Clarify Bylaw re Specific Ministry Pastor

Limitations

Ecclesial MattersFloor Committee # 7


7-06 Amend Bylaw 2.5.2 re Congregations Calling Pastors

7-07 Add Wording to Bylaws re Expectations of Synod Membership

7-08 Study Time Limitations for Initiating Dispute Resolution Process



7-09 Respectfully Decline Overtures– 7-04 Rightly Understand Advisory Nature of Synod– 7-08 Revise Selection of Commission on Constitutional

Matters– 7-11 Require Consideration of CCM-related overtures and

resolutions re theological matters– 7-18 Post Standard Operating Procedure Manuals on

Synod WEB site– 7-19 Require use of Investigation Committee, Reconciliation

Committee, and Referral Panel in expulsion process– 7-20 Rescind 2004 Resolution 8-01A and develop new

adjudication process



Foreword to Committee 8 Work – please read– 1. Focus on congregational mission– 2. Develop synodical leadership – 3. Create a flexible international center– 4. Affirm congregations as principle stakeholders

in the Synod

Synod Structure and GovernanceFloor Committee # 8


8-01 Amend Article V of Synod Constitution – see Today’s Business (TB) pages 160-161

– Voting Membership– Individual Membership– Laity

8-02 Restore Circuits to Their Primary Purpose – see pages 318-322 of TB

– Circuits no longer for election purpose for Synod Convention

– Circuits formed by will of districts – geographic, demographic and mission

– Circuit Forums can submit overtures to district and Synod conventions



8-03 Election of Circuit Counselors (TB) pages 318-321 8-04 Enhance District Convention Representation TB page 312

– Senior or sole pastor & lay delegatesIf senior or sole pastor vacancy exists options are:

Individual member (commissioned) & lay delegates Vacancy/intentional interim pastor & lay delegates Vacancy/intentional interim pastor & individual member (commissioned)

Multiple congregation parishesSole pastor & lay delegatesSole pastor vacancy – then individual member (commissioned) & lay delegates

Congregations with 750 or more in weekly worship attendancetwo additional delegates



8-05 Elect Delegates to Synod convention – see TB pp. 228-231 – Districts determine how congregational groupings

to choose delegates to Synod convention– Delegates to Synod convention are also

delegates to district convention– Congregational groupings choose their delegates

to Synod convention– Circuit counselors chair these groupings for

elections and report results to district secretary



8-06 Give Priority to Circuit and District Overtures at Synod Conventions – TB pp. 232-233, 311

8-07 Study Future District Function and Configuration

– Appointed Task Force One lay and individual member from five regions One district executive One member of BRTFSSG One member of CCM One district president appointed by COP Chief Mission Officer of Synod



8-08 Realign National Synod Ministries Around Two Mission Boards

– CTCR, CDR, CCM and COH stay as they are– Vice President for Finance—Treasurer be changed to Chief

Financial Officer and appointed by Synod Board of Directors– National Office for domestic ministries

Board for National Ministries – 11 members regionally elected5 laity & 5 professional church workers & Synod Pres. or rep.

– Office for International Mission for overseas work Board for International Mission – 11 members regionally elected 5 laity

& 5 professional church workers & Synod Pres. or rep. – Chief Mission Officer appointed by President with Board of

Directors for day to day national ministries– Chief Administrative Officer works closely with CMO and CFO– Board for University Education will become part of the Concordia

University System



8-09 Develop a Process for Developing Quadrennial Mission and Ministry Emphases

8-10 Amend Constitution Articles X & XI – see TB pp. 163-165

8-11 Adopt a Process for Considering a New Name for the Synod

8-12 Direct Board of Directors Amend Bylaws as Necessary

8-13 Elect First Vice President – President chooses five nominees from a list of 20



8-14 Elect Five Vice Presidents by Region 8-15 Enable Regional Elections at 2010 Convention TB pp.

242-243– Only Boards of Directors, National Missions and International

Missions 8-16 Ensure Regional Representation on Board of Directors of

Synod– 14 members

Five laypersons, one from each region Two ordained elected at-large One commissioned elected at-large Two laity elected at-large Up to three at-large laity appointed by the elected Board members President of the Synod



8-17 Elect Synod President– Three candidates receiving highest nomination

numbers– Four weeks before convention, delegates from

previous district conventions cast votes – If no majority received, a second ballot is cast – Results announced two weeks prior to the Synod

Convention



8-18 Amend Article VIII of the Synod Constitution – see TB p. 162– Adopt a four year cycle for conventions

Circuit theological conference District theological conference District convention Synod convention

8-19 Amend Bylaws 4.9.1, 4.9.1.1-4.9.1.4 to Create Four Year Convention Cycle



8-20 Implement Four Year Cycle– District and Synod officers serve an additional year

8-21 Establish Consistency in Terms of Office 8-22 Amend Article VIII C of Constitution

– Doctrinal Resolutions requires 2/3 vote

8-23 Amend 1.6.1-1.7.2, 3.1.1 re Doctrinal Resolutions

8-24 Amend Article IX of the Synod’s Constitution 8-25 Amend Article XII of the Synod’s Constitution



8-26 Determine Number of Delegates to the Synod Convention

– Number of delegates to Synod Convention based on 10% of congregations in Synod six months prior to the Convention

– District representation calculated on the average of the following factors:

% of district’s member congregations compared to number of member congregations in Synod

% of number of confirmed members of the district’s congregations compared to Synod numbers

8-27 Add New Article XIV to the Constitution – Synod’s Constitution trumps a Bylaw that would

contradict it.



8-28 Clarify the Preamble to the Constitution of Synod – See TB p.158

– See new wording 8-29 Amend Article II of the Constitution – see TB p. 158

– Confession 8-30 Amend Article VI of the Constitution – see TB p. 161

– Requirements of Membership 8-31 Amend Article III of the Constitution – see TB pp. 159-160,

169-170, 172, 193, 249, 271, 309m 314– Mission & Purpose

8-32 Amend Article VII – see TB p 162 8-33 Amend Bylaws 2.1.1, 2.13.1, 213.4.2, 2.13.4.3, 2.14.3,

2.14.4, 2.18.2 and 2.18.1 – see TB pp. 193ff, 201, 204, 206, 207, et. al.



8-34 Respectfully Decline Overtures– 8-02 Allow Time for Reasonable Conversation and

Consideration of Changes to Structure– 8-03 Foster Greater Unanimity in Decision re Structure– 8-04 Postpone Consideration and Implementation of Task

Force Report– 8-05 Exercise Care and Delay Implantation of Structure

Changes– 8-06 Allow Time to Study Task Force Recommendations



8-34 Respectfully Decline Overtures– 8-07 Submit BRTFSSG Report to All Congregations For Study and

Defer Action Until following Convention– 8-08 Proceed with Task Force Proposals Only If Full and Timely

Disclosure of Proposed Revisions is Provided– 8-09 Reject Blue Ribbon Task Force Recommendations– 8-10 Defer proposed Restructure/Reorganization to 2013

Convention– 8-12 Consider Recommendations of BRTFSSG as Separate Items

to be Voted on Separately – 8-65 Operate with Board of Directors Serving as National

Consistory – 8-66 Establish Position of Chief Executive Officer – 8-82 Exercise Appropriate Care Considering Structure Changes



Five Critical Considerations

Doctrinal Agreement Unity – Concord – Harmony LCMS Mission Global Confessional Leadership Financial Realities

Convention Spirit

Hopefully not:– “The assembly was in confusion: Some were

shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.”

(Acts 19:32)

Convention Spirit

But prayerfully: – “May the God who gives endurance and

encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Romans 15:5-6)

www.lcms.org/convention

Documents

“Forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32)