Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 70
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 70.
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.
notice, including information that results in public notice, whether or not the person or persons delivering it gave approval to the bringing of the information to public notice.
(r) Reconciliation committee: A small committee appointed by the ecclesiastical supervisor (prior to the determination whether or not to proceed) to assist in reconciliation efforts if the matter warrants it.
(s) Shall: Retains its compulsory meaning in this bylaw section. Its use, however, in connection with time frame expectations may require exceptions at times upon good cause shown, to be allowed by the administrator of the process.
(t) Standard Operating Procedures Manual : A comprehensive procedures manual developed by the Commission on Constitutional Matters in consultation with the Secretary of the Synod and with the concurrence of the Council of Presidents to ensure uniformity and consistency in the implementation of this bylaw section.
(u) Statement of the matter : A written concise statement containing factual assertions involved in an accusation with a request for expulsion from membership.
(v) Time frame: Period of time allowed for carrying out a bylaw requirement, to be monitored by the administrator of the process, incidents of purposeful non-compliance to be reported to the President of the Synod.
(w) Witness: A person called to give testimony regarding facts to a matter before a Hearing Panel or Final Hearing Panel. A member of any reconciliation committee appointed by a district president or the President of the Synod shall not testify as a witness before a Hearing Panel or a Final Hearing Panel in the same matter or case.
Consultation
2.14.3 When a member congregation or individual member of the Synod is aware
of information which could lead to the expulsion of a member from the Synod under Article XIII of the Constitution, prior to any formal written complaint or accusation the member shall consult with his or her respective district president to seek advice and also so that it can be determined whether this is the appropriate bylaw procedur e (Bylaw section 2.14) or whether the matter falls under Bylaw sections 2.15, 2.16,
2.17, or 1.8; Bylaws 3.10.5.7.9 or 3.10.6.9.6 ; or dispute resolution under Bylaw section 1.10. In regard to this consultation:
(a) The district president shall inform the district president of the accused that a consultation is underway. He may also seek advice from the vice-presidents of his own district, from the district president of the accused, or from the President of the Synod. The district president may also ask an opinion of the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) and/or the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR). The district president must follow any opinion received from either the CCM or the CTCR, which shall be rendered within 30 days or such additional time as the district president may allow.
