Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 200
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 200.
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.
4.4.8 The district president shall , with the assistance of his district’s circuit
visitors, promote and pursue unanimous participation by congregations in the submission of annual statistical reports as an expectation of membership in the Synod.
4.5 District Boards of Directors
4.5.1 Each district shall elect a board of directors, the size and composition of
which shall be determined by the Bylaws of the district. The district board of directors shall also have the authority to choose to appoint to the board up to three voting lay members from the district’s congregations to obtain additional skill sets (legal, finance, investment, administration, etc.). It shall have such powers and duties as are accorded to it by the Constitution, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, resolutions, and policies of the Synod, as well as those of the district.
(a) Subject to such limitations, it shall operate within the applicable federal and state laws.
(b) It shall be vested with the general management and supervision of the district ’s business and legal affairs and shall adopt policies and require procedures which assure that said management and supervision is effected.
(c) In fulfilling its functions and in coordinating its work with the Synod, the board shall be guided generally by the functions of the Board of Directors of the Synod as defined in Bylaws 3.3.4ff. as these apply to districts.
(d) Between conventions it shall provide for implementation within the district of the decisions of the national and district conventions and allocate necessary funds for the support of the national and district budgets.
4.6 District Stewardship Promotion
4.6.1 Each district shall elect or appoint a committee, board, or individu al
responsible for stewardship.
(a) This committee, board, or individual shall cooperate with the Synod’s elected or appointed person/persons responsible for stewardship and shall assist and advise local congregations in the development and promotion of an adequate stewardship program.
(b) Districts are advised to provide for the systematic supervision and qualified guidance and promotion of stewardship education.
(c) Each district may invite a representative of the Synod to meet for mutual assistance in budget planning for mission and ministry.
(d) Each district shall arrange for adequate time at its convention for a report on the mission and ministry program of the Synod, made by a representative of the Synod assigned by the President of the Synod.
