Constitution metadata
- Article
- Article VII
- Source pages
- p. 13
Site-authored orientation
A key article for reading LCMS governance without confusing Synodical order with congregational ownership or hierarchy.
LCMS Constitution
Article VII: Relation of the Synod to Its Members
Describes the Synod's advisory relationship to its members.
The LCMS Handbook is official LCMS governance material. This Field Guide provides navigation, search aids, references, and study helps. Readers should verify all quotations, procedures, and requirements against the official Handbook.
This page reproduces text from the 2023 LCMS Handbook for study and navigation. Readers should verify procedural, legal, parliamentary, or governance questions against the official LCMS Handbook and appropriate LCMS authorities.
Official Handbook Source Text
Article VII: Relation of the Synod to Its Members
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 13.
This page reproduces text from the 2023 LCMS Handbook for study and navigation. Readers should verify procedural, legal, parliamentary, or governance questions against the official LCMS Handbook and appropriate LCMS authorities.
Article VII Relation of the Synod to Its Members
1. In its relation to its members the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s right of self -government it is but an advisory body.
Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod imposing anything upon the individual congregation is of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be inexpedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned.
2. Membership of a congregation in the Synod gives the Synod no equity in the property of the congregation.
