Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 149
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 149.
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.
(c) To aid objectivity, the identity of author and review panel shall ordinarily not be disclosed. However, consultation may at times be necessary for clarification.
(d) In making its recommendation, the panel shall decide within 30 days whether the item in question
(1) is suitable for publication; or
(2) may be published after alteration; or
(3) may be published as a study document; or
(4) shall be denied publication.
(e) The decision of the panel shall be determined by a majority vote and shall be final so far as the Commission on Doctrinal Review is concerned. A report together with the panel ’s minutes shall be submitted to the chairman of the Commission on Doctrinal Review.
(f) The chairman of the commission shall report the decision within seven business days to the author, the original reviewer(s), the sponsoring group, and the President of the Synod.
Appeals Following Publication
3.9.3.2.2 A challenge to the doctrinal review certification of a published item may be
initiated by any member of the Synod and shall be submitted in writing via mail or personal delivery to the chairman of the Commission on Doctrinal Review.
(a) In order for the Commission on Doctrinal Review to consider a challenge, the challenger is obliged to provide specific references demonstrating how the published item is not in agreement with Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.
(b) After receipt of the challenge, the chairman of the commission shall within seven business days inform the President of the Synod, the sponsoring group, and, if applicable, Concordia Publishing House, shall appoint three members of the commission to serve as a review panel, and shall designate one as its chairman.
(c) The chairman of the Commission on Doctrinal Review shall provide a copy of the appeal to the President of the Synod, the sponsoring group, and, if applicable, Concordia Publishing House, and offer them the opportunity to respond to the appeal within 14 day s from the date of notification.
(d) To aid in maintaining objectivity, the identity of the challenger and the identity of the panel will ordinarily not be disclosed. There shall be no publicity given to the appeal, nor an effort made to circularize the Synod on a pending appeal.
(e) The panel shall after reviewing the published material declare, within 45 days following the expiry of the 14- day response period provided in Bylaw 3.9.3.2.2 (c), whether the doctrinal review certification is affirmed or revoked based on whether the publis hed material is in agreement with the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.
(f) If the panel revokes the doctrinal review certification, it must identify the part(s) of the item in need of clarification, amplification, and/or deletion in order to bring into agreement with Scripture and the
