Constitution metadata
- Article
- Article XV
- Source pages
- pp. 19-20
Site-authored orientation
Read here when convention action proposes constitutional change rather than ordinary bylaw amendment.
LCMS Constitution
Article XV: Changes in, and Amendments to, the Constitution
Sets constitutional procedures for changes and amendments.
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 XV: Changes in, and Amendments to, the Constitution
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, pages 19-20.
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 XV Changes in, and Amendments to, the Constitution
1. Changes in the Constitution and amendments thereto may be made provided they do not conflict with the provisions laid down in Article II and in Article VI.
2. All proposed changes and amendments must be submitted in writing to the Synod assembled in convention, and each proposed change shall be voted on separately. A two -thirds majority of all votes cast shall be necessary for adoption.
3. After adoption by the convention such amendments shall be submitted to the congregations of the Synod by means of three announcements in the official periodical within three months after the close of the convention.
4. Amendments to the Constitution of the Synod shall be submitted directly to each voting congregation of the Synod on an official ballot, and the congregations shall by official action express their affirmative or negative vote and indicate the same to the Secretary of the Synod on this official ballot. The proposed amendment shall become effective at the expiration of six months from the date on which the amendment is submitted for vote, provided a t wo-thirds majority of the votes cast within that period shall have favored the amendment. At the end of the six- month period the Secretary of the Synod shall announce the outcome of the voting by districts in the official periodical of the Synod.
