Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 67
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 67.
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.
Suspended Status and Limitations
2.13.4 When formal proceedings have been commenced against a member of the
Synod (individual or congregation) under the procedures set forth in Bylaw sections 2.14 – 2.17 which may lead to expulsion from the Synod under
Article XIII of the Constitution, the member shall have suspended status. If
such member was on restricted status at the commencement of formal proceedings, the restricted status shall become suspended status.
2.13.4.1 Suspended status shall continue until the formal proceedings are
completed favorably to the member or until membership is duly terminated.
2.13.4.2 While on suspended status, the member shall continue to hold all rights
under the Constitution and Bylaws except that the member shall
(a) be relieved of duties as a member of the Synod (e.g., as a delegate to a district or Synod convention or as a member of any district or Synod board or commission);
(b) be relieved of the duties and responsibilities which the member holds with the Synod, district, or other agency of the Synod; and
(c) be ineligible to accept a call to any other position of service in the Synod.
2.13.4.3 The member on suspended status shall continue to be eligible to perform
those duties and responsibilities of any other position which such member held at the time when placed on suspended status, including a position with a member congregation.
(a) When a member is placed on suspended status, the district president who has ecclesiastical supervision of the member shall
(1) reflect the suspended status in the records maintained by him;
(2) notify in writing the President of the Synod and all other district presidents of the affected member’s suspended status; and
(3) advise the congregation or other calling body being served by the individual member of the suspended status to take appropriate action so that the rights of both the member and congregation or other calling body are preserved.
(b) While a member is on suspended status, the district president shall minister to that member either directly or through others, concern himself with the spiritual well -being of such member, and continue efforts to resolve those matters which led to impositi on of the suspended status.
(c) If the member on suspended status is a district president, the duties assigned to the district president under paragraphs (a) and (b) hereof shall be performed by the next proper successor district officer.
2.14 Expulsion of Congregations or Individuals
from Membership in the Synod
Preamble
2.14.1 Termination of membership in the Synod is a serious matter involving both
the doctrine and life of those to whom it has been granted. Such action should only be taken as a final step when it is clear that those who are being
