Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 215
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 215.
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.
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD
Article I Name, Duration, Registered Office, and Agent
a. The name of this corporation shall be “The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod.” b. The period of duration of this corporation is perpetual.
c. The address of the registered office of this corporation is 120 S. Central Ave., Clayton, Missouri.
d. The name of the registered agent of this corporation is CT Corporation System.
Article II Objectives
The objectives and purposes of this corporation are:
a. To unite in a corporate body Evangelical Lutheran congregations that acknowledge and remain true to the Book of Concord of the year of our Lord 1580 as a true exhibition of sound Christian doctrine.
b. To assist in the establishment of Evangelical Lutheran congregations and preaching stations.
c. To assist, advise, and protect member congregations and ministers of religion— ordained and ministers of religion — commissioned of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod, to provide for their ecclesiastical supervision in matters of doctrine and practice and their administration of official duties, and to acknowledge and assert the protections granted by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
d. To support the establishment and maintenance of theological seminaries, colleges, universities, and other institutions of learning to train ministers of religion— ordained, ministers of religion — commissioned, and laity for service in the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
e. To spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world by every means possible.
f. To provide assistance and resources to the congregations, schools, Sunday schools, preaching stations, and agencies of the Synod for the dissemination of the Christian Gospel.
g. To establish and conduct all such enterprises and endeavors and to exercise such further power as may be necessary or expedient to carry out the objectives stated in the Constitution of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod.
Article III Membership
Membership in this corporation is held and may be acquired by congregations, ministers of religion— ordained and ministers of religion— commissioned, as defined by the Constitution and Bylaws of this corporation, who confess and accept the
