Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 169
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 169.
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.
of the question(s). The request for an opinion must be made within 30 days of the final formation of the review committee. If a party does not request such an opinion within the designated time, such a request may still be made to the review committee, which shall, at its discretion, determine whether the request shall be forwar ded.
The review committee shall also have the right, at any time, to request an opinion from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations or the Commission on Constitutional Matte rs. When an opinion has been requested, the time limitations will not apply until the opinion has been received by the parties to the matter. Any opinion received must be followed by the review committee.
(4) All hearings shall be private, attended only by the parties to the matter and the witnesses who can substantiate the facts relevant to the matter in dispute. The review committee shall follow the procedures set forth in the Standard Operating Procedures Manual for this bylaw to be followed in the hearing and shall establish the relevancy of evidence so that each party shall be given an opportunity to present fully its respective position. In performing its duty, the review committee shall continue efforts to reconcile the parties to the matter on the basis of Christian love and forgiveness.
If a party is a board or commission of the Synod or its districts, it shall be represented by its chairman or a designated member.
(5) Within 60 days after completion of the final hearing, the review committee shall issue a written decision which shall state the facts determined by the committee and the reasons for its decision and forward them to the parties to the matter and the board o f regents.
The board of regents shall then take appropriate action, which shall be final.
(h) If the committee decides there is a valid complaint
(1) regarding matters under Bylaw 3.10.5.7.5 (1)– (4), it may take whatever action it deems appropriate, including recommendation for termination of the employment contract;
(2) Regarding matters under Bylaw 3.10.5.7.5 (5)– (6), if the member of the seminary’s faculty or administration is a member of the Synod, it must also refer the complaint to the district president, who shall follow the procedure set forth in Bylaw sections 2.14 or
2.17.
(i) At every stage of the above -described procedure, all parties to the matter must be furnished copies of all documents filed.
(j) Any decision made pursuant to Bylaw 3.10.5 .7.9 shall be final and binding on the parties involved with no right of further appeal.
(k) In consultation with the Commission on Constitutional Matters, the boards of regents of the seminaries shall maintain and amend, as necessary, a Standard Operating Procedures Manual which shall serve as a comprehensive procedures manual for this bylaw.
3.10.5.7.10 Each seminary shall have established policies and procedures related to
salary, faculty organization, faculty involvement in establishing education policies, dispute resolution, modified service, sabbaticals and leaves. It shall also have policies and procedures related to student discipline.
