Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 79
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 79.
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.
(c) be carried out by the district president or the President of the Synod; and
(d) be publicized as deemed appropriate under the circumstances by the district president or the President of the Synod.
General Regulations
2.14.10 The district president of the accused/suspended member and the district
president of the accuser shall take those steps necessary to attend to the spiritual needs of all those affected and shall continue efforts to resolve those matters which led to the commencement of the formal action against the accused member.
2.14.10.1 If the matter involves individual membership, the calling or contracting
body is encouraged to continue financial support, existing housing, and insurance of individual members until the final decision is rendered.
2.14.10.2 Any member participating in this bylaw procedure that violates any of the
requirements or procedures in this bylaw or is persistent in false accusations is subject to the same disciplinary measures as set forth in this bylaw. Violations of the prohibition against publicity while a matter is still undecided or while an appeal is contemplated or pending (Bylaw 2.14.7.8 [f] above) by any of the persons involved are specifically included as violations subject to the same disciplinary measures set forth in this bylaw.
2.14.10.3 In consultation with the Secretary of the Synod and with the concurrence
of the Council of Presidents, the Commission on Constitutional Matters shall amend as necessary the Standard Operating Procedures Manual that serves as a comprehensive procedures manual for the provisions set forth in Bylaw section 2.14.
2.15 Expulsion of a District President or Officer
from Membership in the Synod
2.15.1 The action to commence expulsion of a district president or an officer of the
Synod from membership in the Synod is the sole responsibility of the President of the Synod, who has the responsibility for ecclesiastical supervision of such member ( Constitution Art. XI A and B 1). This Bylaw section 2.15, among others, provides the procedures to carry out Article XIII of the Constitution, “Expulsion from the Synod.” However, it does not provide the procedure for the expulsion of a congregation or individual member of the Synod (Bylaw section 2.14), the President of the Synod (Bylaw section 2.16), or individ ual members in cases involving sexual misconduct or criminal behavior (Bylaw section 2.17).
Definition of Terms
2.15.2 For a definition of terms used in this bylaw, see Bylaw 2.14.2.
Consultation
2.15.3 When a member congregation or individual member of the Synod is aware
of information which could lead to the expulsion of a district president or an officer of the Synod from the Synod’s membership under Article XIII of the Constitution, prior to any formal written complaint or accusation the member shall consult with the member’s district president or with the President of the Synod if the member’s district president is the accused to
