Bylaws | 1.9 | pp. 36-39
1.9 Doctrinal Review
Definition
1.9.1 Doctrinal review is the exercise of the Synod ’s responsibility to determine
that every doctrinal statement made in its or any of its agencies’ or
auxiliaries’ materials is in accord with the Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions.
Material Subject to Doctrinal Review
1.9.1.1 The following materials are subject to doct
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Bylaws | 1 | pp. 21-54
1. RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN AND THROUGH THE SYNOD
1.1 Purpose of the Synod
1.1.1 Committed to a common confession and mission, congregations of The
Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod join with one another in the Synod to
support one another and to work together in carrying out their commonly
adopted objectives. The Synod is organized to work in support of and on
be
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 37 | p. 37
auxiliaries’ materials is in accord with the Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions.
Material Subject to Doctrinal Review
1.9.1.1 The following materials are subject to doctrinal review:
(a) All official periodicals and journals of the Synod as well as any
material with doctrinal content issued publicly by boards,
commissions, or other subordinate groups of
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Bylaws | 3 | pp. 100-195
3. NATIONAL ORGANIZATION AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3.1 National Conventions
3.1.1 The national convention of the Synod shall afford an opportunity for
worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of vital
information. It is the principal legislative assembly, which amends the
Constitution and Bylaws, considers and ta kes action on reports and
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Bylaws | 1.6 | pp. 34-36
1.6 Confessional Position of the Synod
1.6.1 The confessional position of the Synod is set forth in Article II of its
Constitution, to which all who wish to be and remain members of the
Synod shall subscribe.
Doctrinal Resolutions and Statements
1.6.2 The Synod, in seeking to clarify its witness or to settle doctrinal
controversy, so that all who seek to par
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 36 | p. 36
(10) In the interim, those who submit overtures to amend or to
repeal shall, while retaining their right to dissent, continue to honor
and uphold publicly the statement as the position of the Synod,
notwithstanding further study and action by the Synod in
convention.
1.7 Agreements
1.7.1 The Constitution, Bylaws, and all other rules and regulations of the Sy
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 38 | p. 38
(1) Each board, commission, and other subordinate group of the
Synod shall advise the President of the Synod of the number and
desired competency of doctrinal reviewers needed by it and may
suggest a list of qualified persons. The President shall appoint
reviewers for each group according to its needs. They shall be
broadly representative of the ministry of
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 39 | p. 39
(l) Should any problem arise between an author, the reviewer(s), the
publisher, or any other party involved with respect to the material
submitted for review, the sponsoring group shall endeavor to resolve it
to the satisfaction of the reviewer(s). If it cannot do so, the problem
shall be submitted to the Commission on Doctrinal Review which shall
follow the
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 4 | p. 4
1. RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN AND THROUGH THE SYNOD ................................................ 21
1.1 Purpose of the Synod ............................................................................................ 21
1.2 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................... 21
1.3 Synod Relation
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Bylaws | 2 | pp. 55-99
matters as advice and counsel as well as suspension of membership and
forfeiture of it for failure to continue to meet membership requirements. In
protecting the rights of members, provision has also been made for
challenging those decisions by ecclesiastical supervisors that result in
suspension or loss of membership and for restoration of membership when
n
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 64 | p. 64
2.12.1.4 An individual member serving in a foreign location or as an active -duty
military chaplain shall hold membership in the Synod through the district
in which membership was held prior to installation as such, or in the case
of a first call that is to foreign service, the Missouri District.
2.12.1.5 An individual member of the Synod serving in any oth
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Bylaws | 3.1 | pp. 100-112
3.1 National Conventions
3.1.1 The national convention of the Synod shall afford an opportunity for
worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of vital
information. It is the principal legislative assembly, which amends the
Constitution and Bylaws, considers and ta kes action on reports and
overtures, and handles appropriate appeals. It
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 107 | p. 107
Pre-Convention Publications
3.1.8 A Convention Workbook containing a convention manual, reports and
overtures, the names and congregations of all voting delegates, and other
information shall be published under the editorship of the Secretary
subject to approval of the President.
(a) The President shall also decide which of the matters accepted for
present
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 127 | p. 127
of its members, or the procedure for amending its governing
instruments shall require a two-thirds affirmative vote of its members,
if any, who are appointed by the Board of Directors of the Synod; and
(d) a provision that upon dissolution of a synodwide corporate entity,
its remaining assets shall be transferred to the Synod. Any amendment
to this provision
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Bylaws | 3.9 | pp. 145-154
3.9 Commissions
3.9.1 The commissions of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod are the
following:
1. Commission on Constitutional Matters
2. Commission on Doctrinal Review
3. Commission on Handbook
4. Commission on Theology and Church Relations
Commission on Constitutional Matters
3.9.2 The Commission on Constitutional Matters exists to interpret the
Constitut
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 148 | p. 148
3.9.2.2.3 The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall examine the articles of
incorporation, bylaws, and policy manuals of every agency of the Synod to
ascertain whether they are in harmony with the Constitution, Bylaws, and
resolutions of the Synod.
(a) Agencies intending to make amendments to articles of
incorporation or bylaws shall make such intention
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
The LCMS Handbook is official LCMS governance material. This Field Guide provides navigation, search aids, references, and study helps. Readers should verify all quotations, procedures, and requirements against the official Handbook.