Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 89
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 89.
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) prepare a written memorandum describing the manner in which there was compliance with the guidelines provided in Matthew 18:15– 16 and “previous futile admonition” ( Constitution Art. XIII), as well as all of the provisions of Bylaws 2.16.3– 2.16.5; and
(d) provide to the President of the Synod a written notification that he has 15 days from the date of receipt of the statement of the matter to advise the secretary of the Council of Presidents that there is a desire to have the matter heard and resolved.
2.16.6.1 Failure by the President of the Synod to file such written request for hearing
and resolution within the 15- day period shall be deemed to be consent to expulsion from membership in the Synod.
Hearing Panel
2.16.7 If the request for hearing as granted in Bylaw 2.16.6 (d) is made, the
secretary of the Council of Presidents shall form a Hearing Panel of district presidents within 30 days of the request in accordance with the provisions in this bylaw.
2.16.7.1 A Hearing Panel consisting of three district presidents, excluding the
chairman of the Council of Presidents and any district president that is party to the matter, shall conduct the hearing. The Panel shall be selected as follows:
(a) One district president selected by the President of the Synod.
(b) One district president selected by the vice-chairman of the Council of Presidents.
(c) The third district president selected by the other two Hearing Panel members. If the two Hearing Panel members cannot agree on the third Hearing Panel member, then such third member shall be chosen by blind draw from among the remaining district presidents , with the blind draw administered by the secretary of the Council of Presidents and audited by witnesses.
2.16.7.2 Upon receipt of a request for the hearing from the President of the Synod,
the secretary of the Council of Presidents shall promptly notify the accused and the vice-chairman of the Council of Presidents of their respective right to choose one Hear ing Panel member and direct that the identity of their selection be transmitted to the secretary of the Council of Presidents within 15 days from the date of such notice. If either party declines to make a selection within 15 days, the secretary of the Council of Presidents shall then make such selection within five days by blind draw, audited by witnesses.
2.16.7.3 When two Hearing Panel members have so been chosen, the secretary of
the Council of Presidents shall promptly notify them of their selection to the Hearing Panel and direct that they select the third member of the Hearing Panel within 10 days and notify the secretary of the Council of Presidents of their selection.
2.16.7.4 Within 15 days after the Hearing Panel is constituted, it shall select one of
its members as chairman, who shall then, after conferring with the accused President of the Synod, and the chairman of the Council of Presidents, select a date and locat ion within 45 days after the panel is constituted when and where the Hearing Panel will consider the matter, unless there is
