Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 92
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 92.
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.
shall amend as necessary the Standard Operating Procedures Manual that serves as a comprehensive procedures manual for the bylaw provisions set forth in Bylaw section 2.16.
2.17 Expulsion of Individuals from Membership in the Synod
as a Result of Sexual Misconduct or Criminal Behavior
2.17.1 The action to commence expulsion of an individual from membership in
the Synod is the sole responsibility of the district president or the President of the Synod who is responsible for the ecclesiastical supervision of such member. This bylaw provides the procedure to carry out Article XIII of the Constitution, “Expulsion from the Synod,” as regards “offensive conduct” of individual members of the Synod involving sexual misconduct or criminal behavior.
Definition of Terms
2.17.2 For a definition of terms used in this bylaw, see the “Definition of Terms”
under Bylaw 2.14.2.
Consultation
2.17.3 Prior to any formal written complaint or accusation, when any person is
aware of information or facts that could lead to the expulsion of an individual member from the Synod, including a district president, an officer of the Synod, or the President of the Synod under Article XIII of the Constitution for alleged sexual misconduct or criminal behavior, the person shall consult with the appropriate ecclesiastical supervisor, which would be a district president of the Synod or the President of the Synod, to seek advice, di rection, and spiritual ministry as the needs and circumstances dictate. If the accused is the President of the Synod, the person shall consult with the chairman of the Council of Presidents. In regard to this consultation:
(a) The appropriate ecclesias tical supervisor may consult with any others as considered appropriate under the circumstances.
(b) If the accuser is a member of the LCMS or a member of an LCMS congregation, the ecclesiastical supervisor shall discuss with the accuser whether this bylaw provision or Bylaw section 1.10 or Bylaw sections 2.14, 2.15, or 2.16 are appropriate under the circumstances.
(c) The ecclesiastical supervisor shall provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care.
(d) The ecclesiastical supervisor shall advise the accuser that it is understood that he/she shall not be put under risk by requiring the accuser to meet face-to-face with the accused in the manner described in Matthew 18:15. However, the reputation of all parties to the matter, the accuser and the accused, is to be protected as commanded in the Eighth Commandment.
Commencing an Action
2.17.4 Under this bylaw (Bylaw section 2.17), the ecclesiastical supervisor of the
accused shall commence the following action when he becomes aware of information or facts that could lead to expulsion of the member from the Synod under the provisions of Article XIII of the Constitution. The district
