Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 71
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 71.
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.
(b) The district president shall require the accuser to follow the correct bylaw provision under the circumstance, if any, and shall provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care to the persons involved.
(c) If Bylaw section 2.14 applies, the district president shall ensure that the accuser has met face -to-face with the accused in the manner described in Matthew 18:15. Even if the alleged violation of Article XIII of the Constitution is considered to be “public,” this provision of Matthew 18:15 shall be followed. The reputation of all parties is to be protected as commanded in the Eighth Commandment.
(d) In consultation with the district president of the accused, the district president of the accuser may appoint a small committee to assist in reconciliation efforts. The goal throughout is always one of admonition and reconciliation, of repentance and forgi veness (even if the following proceedings result in expulsion from membership).
(e) The Synod’s requirement of previous admonition called for in
Article XIII of the Constitution commences at this stage if applicable.
(f) Within 45 days after all the requirements of the consultation provided in this bylaw (Bylaw 2.14.3) have been followed the accuser may bring the matter to the district president of the accused for action under the correct bylaw provision determined by the accuser’s district president (paragraph [b] above).
Commencing an Action
2.14.4 Under this bylaw (Bylaw section 2.14) the district president of the accused
shall commence the following action when he becomes aware of information or allegations that could lead to expulsion of a member from the Synod under the provisions of Article XIII of the Constitution. The district president may become aware of such information by his own personal knowledge. Such information or allegations may also be conveyed to him in a formal written complaint or accusation made by a member of the Synod who has carried out the above provision (Bylaw 2.14.3). In commencing such action, the district president of the accused:
(a) Shall determine whether the Bylaw 2.14.3 provisions have been carried out and shall thoroughly investigate the matter (cf. Bylaw
4.4.6) to determine whether the facts learned from his investigation form a basis for expulsion of the member under Article XIII of the Constitution. He may appoint a small investigation committee.
(b) Shall proceed in the manner described in Matthew 18:15– 16 as the required admonition in Article XIII of the Constitution, if applicable, continues to be carried out.
(c) May, apart from the investigation, also appoint a small committee to assist in reconciliation efforts (see Bylaw 2.14.3 [d] above).
2.14.4.1 The district president shall make his determination whether or not to
suspend the member within 120 days after receipt of a formal written complaint or accusation, unless the district president requests, substantiates, and is granted an extension by the President of the Synod.
2.14.4.2 Before informing others of a determination not to suspend, if the matter
involves doctrine or practice and a formal written accusation, the district president may seek the counsel and concurrence of the President of the
