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Bylaws | 3.9 | pp. 145-154

Commissions

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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Bylaws | 3 | pp. 100-195

National Organization and Responsibilities

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 | 146 | p. 146

Handbook page 146

Mission. Through the Chief Mission Officer, it shall also receive direction from the President of the Synod on all aspects of its responsibilities. 3.8.3.6 The President’s supervisory responsibilities under Constitution Art. XI B and Bylaws 3.3.1 .1– 3.3.1.3 will assure that the Office of International Mission incorporates the doctrine, mission, and vision o

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Page | 148 | p. 148

Handbook page 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

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Page | 150 | p. 150

Handbook page 150

Lutheran Confessions, and withdraw the publication until such agreement is reached. (g) The panel will appoint one of its members to be the doctrinal reviewer for the recycling of the revised material to assure the item ’s agreement with Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions if republished. Commission on Handbook 3.9.4 The Commission on Handbook provides fo

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Page | 153 | p. 153

Handbook page 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 | 147 | p. 147

Handbook page 147

(c) Thereafter, the appointments shall become effective upon ratification by a majority vote of the members of the Council of Presidents. (d) Vacancies in appointed positions shall be filled by following the procedure set forth above. 3.9.2.2 The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall interpret the Synod ’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions upon the

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Page | 151 | p. 151

Handbook page 151

(c) It shall maintain a complete file of succeeding handbooks so that comparison can be made between current provisions and those preceding. (d) It shall carry out assignments by conventions of the Synod relating to the Handbook. (e) It shall respond to requests from agencies of the Synod to propose new provisions to address specific Handbook-related issues

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Page | 152 | p. 152

Handbook page 152

(f) Vacancies that occur in the positions that were filled by appointment shall be filled by the same appointing body. (g) In the case of vacancies that occur in positions that were filled by election of a national convention of the Synod, the appointing body shall be the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, which shall follow the nomi

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Bylaws | 1 | pp. 21-54

Relationships Within and Through the Synod

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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Bylaws | 1.9 | pp. 36-39

Doctrinal Review

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

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Page | 39 | p. 39

Handbook page 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

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Page | 149 | p. 149

Handbook page 149

(c) To aid objectivity, the identity of author and review panel shall ordinarily not be disclosed. However, consultation may at times be necessary for clarification. (d) In making its recommendation, the panel shall decide within 30 days whether the item in question (1) is suitable for publication; or (2) may be published after alteration; or (3) may be publ

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Page | 7 | p. 7

Handbook page 7

3.6 Synodwide Corporate Entities ........................................................................... 124 General Principles ........................................................................................... 124 Concordia Historical Institute ....................................................................... 127 Concordia Publishing Hous

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Page | 9 | p. 9

Handbook page 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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Page | 154 | p. 154

Handbook page 154

only Gospel set forth in the Holy Scriptures specifically as they carry out their responsibilities relating to membership in societies, lodges, cults, or any organizations of an unchristian or anti -Christian character to which the Synod has declared itself firmly opposed. (a) It shall provide information and counsel concerning organizations, philosophies, a

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