Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 203
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 203.
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.
5. CIRCUITS
5.1 Visitation Circuits
5.1.1 A visitation circuit is a network of congregations that “walks together ” for
mutual care, support, advice, study, ecclesiastical encouragement, service, coordination, resources, and counsel — all for the sake of greater congregational participation in God’s mission.
5.1.2 Districts shall establish visitation circuits according to geographical
criteria.
5.2 Circuit Visitors
5.2.1 The circuit visitor is the principal officer of the circuit and serves in
accordance with the duties assigned to this position in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod and the Bylaws of the districts.
(a) The circuit may select such other officers as it deems necessary.
(b) The circuit may create such other offices as may be desirable and also appoint committees for specific assignments.
(c) The circuit visitor may appoint from member congregations of the circuit, with the approval of the district president, pastors, teachers, or laypersons to assist him in fulfilling his responsibilities.
5.2.2 The circuit visitor shall hold his position by virtue of his selection by the
circuit forum and ratification by the district convention.
(a) Circuit forums shall meet at the call of their circuit visitors to select their circuit visitors no later than the time established by the district.
When in-person meetings are burdensome (e.g., geographically large circuits), a circuit may select another manner of meeting (e.g., e - meeting technologies) that is suitable and made available to all participants, taking into consideration the need to provide for an open and fair exchange of ideas and secure, private, and confidential voting.
(b) Prior to the day of the circuit forum, nominations for candidates for the office of circuit visitor may be submitted by a voting congregation of the circuit and suggested by the district president, in consultation with the praesidium of the district. Names suggested by the district president may, during the circuit forum, be received into nomination by a majority vote of the assembly.
(c) Each circuit may adopt procedures and methods that will ensure efficiency and accuracy, including the use of mechanical, electronic, or other methods of casting, recording, or tabulating votes. The privilege of voting shall be exercised by the representatives from each member congregation of the circuit, who shall have been selected in the manner prescribed by the congregation (Bylaw 5.3.2).
(d) All nominated pastors serving congregations and emeriti pastors whose names were nominated prior to the day of the circuit forum shall be eligible for election in accordance with section 4.3 of these Bylaws.
(1) Following presentations of pertinent information regarding each pastor as listed in Bylaw 3.12.3.6 (c) and circuit visitor
