New LCMS structure emphasizes congregations

HOUSTON, TX – The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod streamlined its structure at its 64th Convention held in Houston, July 10-17. The restructuring comes at a time when the LCMS is facing what Vice-president Finance/treasurer Dr. Thomas Kuchta called a “financial crisis.”

The major change came in a resolution which dissolved current elected boards and created two new boards to give direction and oversight to national and international mission. Delegates adopted this by a slim majority. However, the resolution set the stage for all future resolutions dealing with governance and structure.

Other changes adopted by the delegates will allow congregations and pastors to vote for Synod President by electronic ballot before a convention. The president will then nominate five candidates from a list of 20 to serve with him as first vice-president, a full-time position.

The new structure also creates regions within LCMS for the purpose of balanced representation on the Board of Directors. Currently, LCMS English and SELC districts have congregations in Canada. By amendment, all Canadian congregations of the LCMS will be placed in a single adjacent US region.

Lutheran Church–Canada which was established on a revised LCMS structure in 1988, restructured in 2002.

Print this article