Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 133
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 133.
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.
3.6.5.3.1 The Foundation shall distribute designated funds in accordance with the
contractual instructions of the donor. The distribution of undesignated funds shall be determined by its board of trustees in consultation with the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod.
3.6.5.3.2 The Foundation shall be audited annually by independent certified public
accountants selected by its board of trustees.
(a) The audit report shall be made available upon request.
(b) The auditors shall also provide an annual letter commenting on the administrative and financial controls.
Concordia University System
3.6.6 Concordia University System, as a nonprofit corporation under the laws of
the State of Missouri, is incorporated as provided in its Articles of Incorporation and corporate Bylaws to f acilitate ecclesiastical visitation and affirmation of the Synod’s colleges and universities (Bylaw 3.10.6 and following) and to assist with their cooperation and coordination. It shall seek to assist them with effective and accountable:
• preparation of commissioned ministers for service in the Synod and of pre-seminary students for study at a Synod seminary;
• raising up of Lutheran laypersons for lifelong, faithful service to Christ and the neighbor; and • robust, intentional engagement of all students with the faith taught and practiced, with application to their vocations in family, church, and state.
3.6.6.1 The Concordia University System Board of Directors shall:
(a) define, after input from the Institution Advisory Council, and adopt the Lutheran Identity and Mission Outcomes Standards (“Standards,” Bylaw 3.6.6.4), which shall be the basis of Synod visitation of Synod colleges and universities, including each of their church worker preparation programs; and maintain policies governing, and supervise the performance of, such Synod visitation (Bylaws 3.6.6.4 and following), which shall focus on support and accountability for maintaining and strengthening Lutheran identit y.
Consistent with the Standards, the Concordia University System shall ensure that each institution receives:
(1) regular ecclesiastical and fraternal counsel and encouragement through annual, informal visitation that involves free exchange among peers;
(2) in-depth ecclesiastical formal visitation and reporting (including affirmation, commendations, cautions, and recommendations for improvement; Bylaw 3.6.6.4) at least once every three years;
(b) review and approve new implementations of and discontinuance, whether actual or constructive, of programs of study leading to professional church work in the interest of the institution(s) and the Synod;
(c) facilitate, together with respective boards of regents, the processes of president selection (Bylaw 3.10.6.8.2) and prior approval for
