Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 14
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 14.
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.
B. Special Sessions of the Synod
1. The Synod may under circumstances call a special session if two- thirds of the voting representatives present so decide.
2. In cases of urgent necessity a special session may be called by the President with the consent of two-thirds of the district presidents or by three-fourths of the district presidents without the consent of the President; however, all congregations and other members of the Synod must be notified 30 days in advance and told for what purpose this extra meeting is being convened.
C. Resolutions at Synodical Meetings All matters of doctrine and of conscience shall be decided only by the Word of God. All other matters shall be decided by a majority vote. In case of a tie vote the President may cast the deciding vote.
Article IX Representation
The synodical meetings are composed of regularly elected and delegated representatives and of certain individual persons, as specified in the Bylaws, to wit:
1. R epresentatives of congregations, entitled to vote . A number of
congregations shall form a group which shall be represented by two voting delegates, one a pastor and one a lay delegate.
2. Advisory representatives of such individual members as are ineligible to represent congregations as voting delegates and ineligible to represent other entities or offices in the Synod as advisory representatives.
3. Advisory representatives of boards, commissions, and educational institutions and such as by virtue of their office are required to attend the Synod.
Article X Officers
—A— The officers of the Synod are:
1. A President
2. Vice-presidents, in line of succession, as prescribed by the Bylaws
3. A Secretary
4. A Board of Directors
5. Other officers, as specified in the Bylaws —B—
1. The President, the vice- presidents, and the Secretary must be ministers of religion— ordained of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod and, like other officers and the members of the Board of Directors, members of voting congregations.
2. The time of service of all officers, boards, and commissions shall be fixed by the Bylaws of the Constitution of the Synod.
