Official Handbook Source Text

and work together and which the congregations alone have the authority to adopt or amend through conventions.

1.3.4.2 Members of the Synod, compelled by love for one another, accept the

responsibility to support financially the work of the Synod.

1.3.4.3 Congregations of the Synod, to enable the Synod to plan current and future

ministry efforts and to lend accuracy and integrity to the Synod’s delegate representation and voting processes, agree to provide annual membership and statistical information to the Synod.

1.3.5 Membership is held in the Synod itself. However, in accordance with the

objectives of the Synod, each member enjoys certain privileges and accepts certain responsibilities also in and through the respective district and circuit.

1.3.6 Districts and circuits as component parts of the Synod are obligated to

carry out resolutions of the Synod and are structures for congregations to review decisions of the Synod, to motivate one another to action, and to shape and suggest new directions.

1.3.7 The formation of any corporation by the Synod itself or any agency of the

Synod involving any other church body requires the approval of the Board of Directors and the President of the Synod.

1.3.8 The Synod in convention or through the Board of Directors of the Synod

may authorize holding membership in national inter -Lutheran entities.

Representatives of the Synod to various national inter-Lutheran entities (a) shall be named by the President of the Synod on recommendation of the Chief Mission Officer or the Executive Director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations; (b) shall participate in the activities of the respective inter -Lutheran entities according to the constitutions and bylaws of those entities and in keeping with the theological and constitutional principles of the Synod; and (c) shall submit formal reports to the President.

1.4 Synod Relationships: Conventions, Officers, Boards,

Commissions, Staff

1.4.1 The delegate convention of the Synod is the legislative assembly that

ultimately legislates policy, program, and financial direction to carry on the Synod’s work on behalf of and in support of the member congregations. It reserves to itself the right to give direction to all officers and agencies of the Synod. Consequently, all officers and agencies, unless otherwise specified in the Bylaws, shall be account able to the Synod for all their actions, and any concerns regarding the decisions of such officers or agencies may be brought to the attention of the Synod in convention for appropriate action.

This provision does not apply to specific member appeals to the Concordia Plans, which has its own appeal process for such cases.

1.4.2 The delegate convention of each district of the Synod receives reports and

counsel from the national Synod, makes recommendations thereto, assists in implementing decisions of the Synod, and adopts or authorizes programs to meet the unique needs of the district.

1.4.3 Officers of the Synod and its agencies serve in accordance with duties

assigned to them or otherwise authorized by the Constitution and