LCMS Handbook
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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
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Bylaws | 2.14 | pp. 67-77
2.14 Expulsion of Congregations or Individuals from Membership in the Synod Preamble 2.14.1 Termination of membership in the Synod is a serious matter involving both the doctrine and life of those to whom it has been granted. Such action should only be taken as a final step when it is clear that those who are being terminated after previous futile admonitio
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Page | 71 | p. 71
(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
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Page | 73 | p. 73
under Article XIII of the Constitution, in commencing the formal proceedings he shall (a) provide to the member a written notification of the member’s suspended status under Bylaw 2.13.4; (b) provide to the member a written statement of the matter which sets forth the facts and states that he is requesting expulsion of the member from the Synod in accord wit
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Page | 79 | p. 79
(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 t
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Page | 74 | p. 74
of their respective right to choose one Hearing Panel member and direct that the identity of their selection be transmitted to the Secretary of the Synod within 15 days from the date of such notice. If either party declines to make a selection within 15 da ys, the Secretary of the Synod shall then make such selection within five days. 2.14.7.4 The Secretary
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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
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Page | 72 | p. 72
Synod by conveying to him the accuser’s formal written accusation, the record of his investigation, and his preliminary determination . The President of the Synod shall respond within 60 days. (a) Should the President of the Synod concur, the district president may include the concurrence in his determination, indicating that it precludes an appeal for actio
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Page | 78 | p. 78
on an issue not related to the sole issue to be decided, or a decision was made on a theological question that the panel had no authority to make. (3) Discretionary acts: The Appeal Panel may approve an appeal if there was a clear abuse of discretion impacting the decision of the Hearing Panel, resulting in a gross miscarriage of justice, or that involves an
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Bylaws | 1.10 | pp. 39-54
1.10 Dispute Resolution of the Synod Preamble 1.10.1 When disputes, disagreements, or offenses arise among members of the body of Christ, it is a matter of grave concern for the whole church. Conflicts that occur in the body should be resolved promptly ( Matt. 5:23– 24; Eph. 4:26 – 27). Parties to disputes are urged by the mercies of God to proceed with one
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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
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Page | 68 | p. 68
terminated after previous futile admonition have acted contrary to the confession laid down in Constitution Art. II or the conditions of membership laid down in Constitution Art. VI or have persisted in offensive conduct ( Constitution Art. XIII 1). For this reason the Synod establishes procedures for such action including the identification of those who are
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Page | 86 | p. 86
(d) be publicized as deemed appropriate under the circumstances by the President of the Synod. General Regulations 2.15.10 The President of the Synod shall take those steps necessary to assure that the spiritual needs of the respective members (accuser and accused) are attended to and shall continue efforts to resolve those matters which led to the commencem
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Page | 67 | p. 67
Suspended Status and Limitations 2.13.4 When formal proceedings have been commenced against a member of the Synod (individual or congregation) under the procedures set forth in Bylaw sections 2.14 – 2.17 which may lead to expulsion from the Synod under Article XIII of the Constitution, the member shall have suspended status. If such member was on restricted
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Page | 40 | p. 40
been reconciled to God through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Christ’s “ministry of reconciliation” is one of the church ’s foremost priorities. 1.10.1.4 Christian conflict resolution seeks to resolve disputed issues in a manner pleasing to God. Those in conflict are urged to proceed prayerfully in good faith and trust. Disputes are more likely
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Page | 70 | p. 70
notice, including information that results in public notice, whether or not the person or persons delivering it gave approval to the bringing of the information to public notice. (r) Reconciliation committee: A small committee appointed by the ecclesiastical supervisor (prior to the determination whether or not to proceed) to assist in reconciliation efforts
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Page | 76 | p. 76
(2) The request for an opinion must be made within 30 days of the final formation of the panel. If a party to the matter does not request such an opinion within the designated time, such a request may still be made to the panel, which shall, at its discretion, determine whether the request shall be forwarded. The panel shall also have the right, at any time
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Page | 91 | p. 91
congregations of the Synod for a written vote in order to terminate the membership of the President of the Synod. (d) If the result of the vote is not the required 75 percent of the total number of district presidents, the chairman of the Council of Presidents shall so inform the accuser and the President of the Synod, which shall terminate the matter, vacat
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Page | 92 | p. 92
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 i
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Page | 99 | p. 99
housing, and insurance of individual members until the final decision is rendered. 2.17.10.2 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 disciplinary measures as set forth in Bylaw section 2.14 or Bylaw section 2 .15. Violations of t
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Page | 5 | p. 5
2.3 Application by Congregations ............................................................................. 55 2.4 Continued Eligibility of Congregations ............................................................. 56 2.5 Calling Ministers of Religion ............................................................................... 56 Calls and multi-congr
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Page | 9 | p. 9
Foreword The Handbook of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod contains the body of laws that our member congregations have set out to order our life together— a body of laws in service of the Gospel . This edition incorporates changes made by the 68 th Regular Convention of the Synod , meeting in Milwaukee, Wisc., July 29– August 3, 2023, to the Bylaws of th
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Bylaws | 1.2 | pp. 21-24
1.2 Definition of Terms 1.2.1 The following definitions are for use in understanding the terms as used in the Bylaws of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod: (a) Agency: An instrumentality other than a congregation or corporate Synod, whether or not separately incorporated, which the Synod in convention or its Board of Directors has caused or authorized to be
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Page | 22 | p. 22
(3) Commission on Handbook (4) Commission on Theology and Church Relations (d) Concordia Plan Services : Concordia Plan Services is a controlled entity of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod created to manage the Concordia Plans. (e) Concordia Plans: The Concordia Plans, while operating under the supervision of the Synod Board of Directors, are trust agencie
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Page | 43 | p. 43
Matthew 18:15 and may involve the informal use of a reconciler. And further, before any matter is submitted to the formal reconciliation process, the complainant must meet and consult with the appropriate ecclesiastical supervisor to seek advice and also so that it can be determined whether this is the appropriate bylaw procedure (Bylaw section 1.10) or whet
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Page | 48 | p. 48
as the SOPM) by the secretary of the district to serve as reconciler in the following situations arising in the district: (a) Procedural questions involved in excommunication cases; (b) Cases in which a member of the Synod shall have been removed from the position that such member holds in a congregation that is a member of the Synod; (c) Cases in which a pe
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Page | 54 | p. 54
(3) An individual member of the panel may, through the hearing facilitator, also request resource materials and personal assistance from the executive director of the CTCR or from a theologian recommended by the executive director, this to provide an opportunity to read about, discuss with a knowledgeable person, and better comprehend doctrina l matters asso
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Page | 77 | p. 77
Appeal Panel 2.14.8 The decision of the Hearing Panel may be appealed by the accused (if an active participant in the hearing before the Hearing Panel) , by the suspending ecclesiastical supervisor , or by the President of the Synod if a question of doctrine or practice is involved (Constitution Art. XI B 1 – 3) within 15 days after receiving the decision. S
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Page | 80 | p. 80
seek advice and also so that it can be determined whether this is the appropriate bylaw procedure (Bylaw section 2.15) or whether the matter falls under Bylaw sections 2.14, 2.17, or 1.8, or dispute resolution under Bylaw section 1.10. In regard to this consultation: (a) If and when the accuser’s district president (if the district president is not the one a
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Page | 82 | p. 82
Hearing Panel 2.15.7 If the request for hearing as granted in Bylaw 2.15.6 (c) is made, the suspending ecclesiastical supervisor shall inform the Secretary of the Synod who shall initiate the formation of a Hearing Panel, such formation to be accomplished within 30 days of the request in accordance with the provisions in this bylaw. 2.15.7.1 At the time tha
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Page | 83 | p. 83
there is unanimous consent by the panel members for a short delay beyond such 45 days for reasons the panel deems appropriate. 2.15.7.7 The Secretary of the Synod shall forward to the Hearing Panel the statement of the matter together with the written memorandum describing the manner in which there was compliance with the guidelines provided in Matthew 18:1
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Page | 90 | p. 90
unanimous consent by the panel members for a short delay beyond such 45 days for reasons the panel deems appropriate. 2.16.7.5 The chairman of the Council of Presidents shall forward to the Hearing Panel the statement of the matter together with the written memorandum describing the manner in which there was compliance with the guidelines provided in Matthew
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Page | 95 | p. 95
2.17.6.1 Failure by the member 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 2.17.7 If the request for hearing as granted in Bylaw 2.17.6 (c) is made, the ecclesiastical supervisor shall inform the Secretary of the Synod, who shall initi
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Page | 96 | p. 96
ecclesiastical supervisor, select a location and a date within 45 days after the Hearing Panel was constituted for the panel to hear and consider the matter, unless there is unanimous consent by the panel members for a short delay beyond such 45 days for reasons the panel deems appropriate. 2.17.7.7 The Secretary of the Synod shall forward to the Hearing Pa
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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
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Page | 106 | p. 106
ministers, the faculty of an educational institution of the Synod, the Board of Directors of the Synod, a board or commission of the Synod listed in Bylaws 3.2.2, 3.2.2.1, 3.2.3, and 3.2.3.1, a committee established by a prior convention, or a forum of a circuit. (a) Overtures are recommendations in the form of proposed resolutions requesting action on the p
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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
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Page | 153 | p. 153
3.9.5.2.3 The executive committee of the commission shall, within 30 days, provide opinions on theological matters in response to questions presented by ecclesiastical supervisors or panels as described in the dispute resolution and suspension/expulsion processes of the Synod (Bylaw sections 1.10 and 2.14– 2.17). Because these opinions are in response to a s
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Page | 168 | p. 168
(1) The president of the seminary shall assist in this attempt. (2) If the president himself is the respondent, the chairman of the board shall act in his stead. (b) Should allegations involve information that could lead to the expulsion of the member from the Synod under Article XIII of the Constitution, the member’s ecclesiastical supervisor is to be infor
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Page | 169 | p. 169
of the question(s). The request for an opinion must be made within 30 days of the final formation of the review committee. If a party does not request such an opinion within the designated time, such a request may still be made to the review committee, which shall, at its discretion, determine whether the request shall be forwar ded. The review committee sh
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Page | 180 | p. 180
(c) Nine months prior to the end of each five -year term, the board of regents shall conduct a formal review of the president’s effectiveness in the current term of office , evaluating his leadership, both of the administration of the institution and of the institution’s advancement of Synod’s confession and pursuit of Synod’s mission objectives. Upon comple
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At 3:07 each day, remember John 15:7 and pray for Christ's Church, the convention, our leaders, and the work of the Gospel among us.
