Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 36
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 36.
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.
(10) In the interim, those who submit overtures to amend or to repeal shall, while retaining their right to dissent, continue to honor and uphold publicly the statement as the position of the Synod, notwithstanding further study and action by the Synod in convention.
1.7 Agreements
1.7.1 The Constitution, Bylaws, and all other rules and regulations of the Synod
apply to all congregational and individual members of the Synod.
1.7.2 The Synod expects every member congregation of the Synod to respect its
resolutions and to consider them of binding force if they are in accordance with the Word of God and if they appear applicable as far as the condition of the congregation is conc erned. The Synod, being an advisory body, recognizes the right of a congregation to be the judge of the applicability of the resolution to its local condition. However, in exercising such judgment, a congregation must not act arbitrarily, but in accordance with the principles of Christian love and charity.
1.7.3 The Synod expects congregations that have not been received into
membership, but are served by the Synod, and whose ministers of religion, ordained and commissioned, hold membership in the Synod, to honor its rules and regulations.
1.8 Dissent
1.8.1 While retaining the right of brotherly dissent, members of the Synod are
expected as part of the life together within the fellowship of the Synod to honor and uphold the resolutions of the Synod.
1.8.2 Dissent from the doctrinal position of the Synod as expressed in its
resolutions and doctrinal statements is to be expressed first within the fellowship of peers (that is, with those who are competent to evaluate the issue critically) and then brought to the attention of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations before finding expression as an overture to the Synod in convention calling for revision or rescission . The discussion among the fellowship of peers is to be conducted privately and confidentially among those who are competent rather than in a public forum. While the conscience of the dissenter shall be respected, the consciences of others, as well as the collective will of the Synod, shall also be respected.
1.8.3 This right of brotherly dissent does not allow a member of the Synod
publicly to teach or practice contrary to the established doctrinal position of the Synod. Any such public teaching shall place in jeopardy membership in the Synod.
1.9 Doctrinal Review
Definition
1.9.1 Doctrinal review is the exercise of the Synod ’s responsibility to determine
that every doctrinal statement made in its or any of its agencies’ or
