Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 165
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 165.
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.
to do so, in which case the individual either may continue at the initial-level appointment or be terminated. Any continuation of employment at the initial -level appointment shall be on a year -toyear basis. Faculty employment during the initial -level appointment period may be terminated without disclosure of cause.
In cases in which the decision is made to terminate the individual ’s contract, the contract shall be extended for at least six months beyond the time at which notice is given. If the board of regents does not take up the question of promotion to a continuing -level appointment at least nine months prior to the end of the sixth year of service, the faculty member may petition the board of regents to do so.
(2) After final review the board of regents may promote to a continuing-level appointment status.
(f) Promotion to continuing-level appointment status shall in no case be construed as requiring or indicating advancement in rank or increase in salary.
(g) Other types of faculty appointments may be established by seminaries as the need arises.
3.10.5.7.3 The board of regents on recommendation of the president of the seminary
shall appoint all full-time members of the faculty.
(a) All initial appointments to seminary faculties shall require prior approval by a majority vote of the President of the Synod (or his designee), the chairman of the Council of Presidents (or his designee), and the chairman of the Board for National Mission (or his designee), and shall include a thorough theological review. The three voters shall be ordained. The process shall be facilitated by the Executive Director of Pastoral Education.
(b) The terms and conditions of every appointment shall be stated in writing and be in the possession of both the seminary and the prospective faculty member before the appointment is consummated.
Limitations of academic freedom because of the religious and confessional nature and aims of the seminary shall be stated in writing at the time of the appointment and conveyed to the person being appointed.
(c) Ordinarily candidates for full- time teaching positions shall be rostered members of the Synod. When laypersons are employed in fulltime teaching positions, they shall pledge to perform their duties in harmony with the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God, the Lutheran Confessions, the Synod ’s doctrinal statements, and the policies of the Synod.
(d) The board of regents may decline to renew an initial -level appointment of a faculty member at its discretion and without formal statement of cause. If reappointment to the teaching staff is not contemplated, the board of regents shall so notify the faculty member in writing through the president of the seminary at least six months prior to the expiration of the current appointment. Notice of nonreappointment shall be made at least 6 months before the expiration of an initial-level appointment of a faculty member.
