Board of Directors

The Board of Directors (BOD) is the legal representative of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. It is the custodian of all the property of the Synod — directly or by its delegation of such authority to an agency of the Synod.

The BOD exercises supervision over all the property and business affairs of the Synod, except in those areas where it has delegated such authority to an agency of the Synod or where the voting members of the Synod, through the adoption of bylaws or by other convention action, have assigned specific areas of responsibility to separate corporate or trust entities.

In such circumstances, the BOD retains general oversight responsibility as defined in Synod Bylaws.

 

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Meeting Brief: May 2017

The LCMS Board of Directors (BOD) met May 19–20, 2017 at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis. The board received reports and took routine actions through its consent agenda. In the remainder of the meeting:

• President Harrison delivered a heartfelt report, noting how the Lord worked salvation through his brother’s recent health crisis and death and that in the Synod’s various present “crosses and trials,” including a very long-term financial and demographic decline, the Lord was, likewise, sure to be working “his best stuff.” Therefore, we, following Luther’s lead, should “dare something.” It is time, Harrison said, not to be timid, but bold, to “attack the issues the Lord has laid on our plate with gusto, knowing that it is all for good, and that the Lord will bless us richly in all of it. Let’s do right by the Church.”
  
  

• Chief Financial Officer Jerry Wulf and Ross Stroh, Executive Director of Financial and Accounting Services, presented a proposed FY18 Mission and Ministry Operating Budget for corporate Synod totaling $78,085,066 in revenue and spending (balanced and based on conservative revenue estimates). The board, reacting to a projected FY17 revenue shortfall, adopted the proposal contingent on reduction of expenditure by an additional $1,000,000 before its August meeting. The board also adopted an FY18 Capital Budget totaling $1,627,740, involving land and buildings to support mission work in Sri Lanka, Belize, and the Dominican Republic ($800,000), as well as information technology ($391,330) and facilities work at the International Center ($436,410). All projects are “subject to adequate funds being available, as determined by the Chief Financial Officer.”
  
  

• The board designated the 2016 convention assessment surplus, in part, to establish a contingency fund for the 2019 Convention (similar to that customarily established for the LCMS Youth Gathering), in part to cover the cost of convention-mandated activities (task forces, etc.), and in part for distribution back to the districts.
  
  

• Secretary Sias presented bylaw changes developed at the direction of 2016 Convention Resolution 12-14, amending Synod’s discipline process bylaws to allow an accuser, in a matter of doctrine and practice, to appeal a district president’s refusal to suspend a member to the President of the Synod. Prior to the convention, the Commission on Constitutional Matters determined this bylaw feature to be constitutionally required. The convention required the Secretary to draft appropriate bylaws after consultation with the Council of Presidents and with the approval of the Commissions on Constitutional Matters and Handbook. After discussion, and acting under Bylaw 7.1.2, the Board of Directors by the required two-thirds majority vote adopted the changes as proposed.
  
  

• The board made regular and vacancy appointments to the Board of Directors of Concordia Plans / Plan Services and to the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) Board of Members.
  
  

• The board received updates on Concordia College Alabama and on Concordia University, Portland and approved campus master plans for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis; Concordia University Wisconsin and its Ann Arbor Campus; and Concordia University, Irvine. The board approved funding and construction of Irvine’s planned Music, Worship, and Theology Building, an interim campus master plan and LCEF loan for Concordia College—New York; and the demolition of Fritz and Metzger Halls (unused dormitories) at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
  
  

• The board approved building plans for a facility in Colombo, Sri Lanka (encompassing a sanctuary, seminary and school classrooms, a preschool, dormitories, and church administration offices) and authorized creation of a mission support corporation in Belize. Chief Mission Officer Kevin Robson and Director of Church Relations Al Collver also updated the board on the state of Synod’s international schools and selected international properties.
  
  

• Mark Hofman, Executive Director of LCMS Mission Advancement, and Ken Krueger, President of the rapidly-growing Lutheran Federal Credit Union, presented to the board on the work of their organizations. The Rev. Dr. George Gude, chairman of the Commission on Constitutional Matters, also visited with the board to discuss the commission’s work and the review of Synod agency governing documents initiated by 2016 Res. 9-02A.
  
  
• The board recognized Joe Isenhower of LCMS Communications, who, having served the Synod since February 1973, plans to retire before the board’s next meeting.
  
  

• The board next meets August 24–26, 2017, with a short retreat, focusing on review and revision of board policies, and with plans to interview candidates for Chief Administrative Officer.
  
  

—John W. Sias, Secretary

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Meeting Minutes

Minutes of previous meetings are available upon request by contacting the LCMS Chief Administrative Office.

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News & Updates

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Handbook

The Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod includes the Constitution, Bylaws, and Articles of Incorporation of the organization.

• 2013 Handbook (Updated Nov. 19-20, 2014) | Microsoft Word
• Original 2013 Handbook | PDF
• 2010 Handbook
• 2007 Handbook
• 2004 Handbook
• 2001 Handbook

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Policy Manual

Desired Outcome Policy of the Board of Directors

The Board serves to provide leadership in achieving the objectives of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as stated in Article III of its Constitution and Bylaws so that Christ’s name may be glorified among all people throughout the world by serving each other in Christ’s name, reaching our communities with Christ’s love and claiming the world for Christ’s kingdom.

• Board of Directors Policy Manual (Adopted Feb. 18, 2017)

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Budgets & Audits

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