LCMS Handbook
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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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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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Bylaws | 4 | pp. 196-202
(b) The ecclesiastical supervision of a new church start, satellite worship site, or any ministry established by a congregation in another district shall be decided by the affected district presidents. 4.1.7 Officers of the district shall have primary responsibility for district implementation of decisions of the Synod at the national level as they apply at
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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 | 233 | p. 233
REFERENCES Constitutional Provisions Const. Preface .......................................... 178 Const. Art. II ....24, 32, 68, 113, 134, 167, 172, 180, 183, 184, 216 Const. Art. III .......... 21, 24, 134, 172, 198, 215 Const. Art. III 1, 6 ...................................... 151 Const. Art. III 3 .......................................... 157 Const.
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Bylaws | 3.3 | pp. 112-124
3.2.4.2 All members of all boards and commissions of the Synod shall be ineligible for re-election or re -appointment to the same board or commission after serving a total of two successive six -year elected terms or three successive appointed or elected three -year terms, unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws. (a) Such persons may become eligible again fo
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Page | 225 | p. 225
as agency of the Synod. See Agency of the Synod concurrence on standard operating procedures, 70, 79, 86, 91, 99 designation of coordinative roles for Office of National Mission, 144 policies non-member congregational service, 61 presidential consultation, 106, 113 records retention and transfer, 127 Deaconesses. See Ministers of religion— commissioned Defin
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Page | 226 | p. 226
doctrinal review of published materials, 37 formation and realignment, 194 governing documents, 194 governing principles, 194–96 membership, 63– 64, 195 nominations and elections, 17, 197, 201 regional selections, 197 non-geographical, 64, 210 obligation to carry out Synod resolutions, 25 officers, 16, 17, 197 ethical obligations, 33 officers, executives, pr
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Page | 228 | p. 228
roster, 59, 61, 62, 63, 65, 103, 117, 141, 165, 167, 171, 184, 199, 209 specific ministry pastor status and limitations, 64– 65, 101, 103 standards for, 24, 54– 55 status, 61– 63, See also Membership status suspension, 67 voting, 12 Membership status, 61–63 active, 61–62 and district transfer, 57–64 inactive, 62–63 candidate, 12, 63 annual report, 63 emeritu
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Page | 222 | p. 222
appointed members, 174 as board of the Synod. See Boards of the Synod qualifications and their verification, 175, 191, 192 removal of member, 32 training, 176 closure or sale, 177 Concordia University System, 133– 40 consolidation, 177 coordination and collaboration, 178 doctrinal review, 37 president, 182 faculty, 157, 183– 84 academic freedom, 183 appointm
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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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Page | 224 | p. 224
ecclesiastical supervision of. See Ecclesiastical supervision election of the President by, 187 eligibility and application for membership, 13, 55– 56 expulsion of, 18, 67– 79 members of, 24 membership in the Synod, 12– 13, 24– 25, See further Membership in the Synod nominations by, 186, 188 relation to circuit, 25, 203–7 relation to circuit visitor, 203–5 r
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Page | 231 | p. 231
petition for removal of, 65 Roster. See under Membership in the Synod Schools association (definition), 61 association, calling ministers of religion, 61 calling ministers of religion, 56– 57 Secretary of the Synod, 14, 116– 17 convention duties, 16, 19, 35, 103, 105, 107, 109, 116 file of governing instruments, 126 file of minutes, 29 general duties, 16, 11
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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
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Page | 221 | p. 221
amendments to, 214 Calls assignment of first (placement) by Board of Assignments, 60 assisting capacity, 57 by association schools, 56– 57 by congregations, 13, 56– 57 installation forms and practices, 198 multi-congregation parish, 57 of candidates, 59–60 qualification for first, 60–61 role of district president in, 31, 56– 57, 198, 208, 212 Candidate membe
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Page | 232 | p. 232
of district officers, board and commission members, 201 of hearing facilitator, 48 of members of Commission on Constitutional Matters, 146 of members of Commission on Handbook, 150 of reconciler, 47 of synodwide corporate entity chief executive, 125 Theology and Church Relations, Commission on. See Commission on Theology and Church Relations Treasurer. See C
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Page | 7 | p. 7
3.6 Synodwide Corporate Entities ........................................................................... 124 General Principles ........................................................................................... 124 Concordia Historical Institute ....................................................................... 127 Concordia Publishing Hous
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Page | 223 | p. 223
submission of report by, 105 terms of office, 110– 12 Committee for Convention Nominations, 189–92 preliminary work by Secretary, 116 subcommittee (“3.2.5”) for vacancy nominations, 112 Committee on Elections, 193–94 Committee, Colloquy, for Commissioned Ministry, 156– 57 Committee, Colloquy, for Pastoral Ministry, 156 Committee, convention, 106 directed rep
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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 | 230 | p. 230
Placement of ministers of religion, initial, 60 Position of the Synod. See Confessional position of the Synod Powers of the Synod, 12 Praesidium, 23, 155 appointments by, 175 presidential consultation, 80, 106, 115, 146, 150, 151, 152 President of the Synod, 14–15, 15– 16, 112– 16 appointments by, 106, 123, 146, 148, 150, 151, 157, 193 convention report, 115
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Page | 219 | p. 219
INDEX Organization of this Index: Please note that many of the entries are “chained” so that the item sought can be considered in context; for example, the entry for “Board for International Mission” leads you to the entry for “Mission Boards of the Synod” to give the reader the opportunity to find not only the adjacent “Mission Offices of the Synod” but als
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Page | 220 | p. 220
Assignment of first calls, 60 Assistants, parish. See Ministers of religion— commissioned Assisting capacity call. See under Ministers of religion— ordained Assisting capacity call designation. See under Ministers of religion—ordained Association school. See Schools, association (definition) Auxiliary organizations, 208– 10 archival requirements, 128 calling
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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 | 195 | p. 195
(6) be the object of an evaluation prepared by the Board of Directors of the Synod and submitted to the convention. 4.1.1.4 Transfer of congregations between districts is completed upon approval of the respective district boards of directors at the request of the congregation. 4.1.1.5 Transfer of congregations between partner churches requires the additional
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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 | 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 | 197 | p. 197
(b) All duly elected voting delegates shall attend all sessions of the convention regularly until the close of the convention. (c) Should a multi -congregation parish involve congregations having membership in different districts, the pastoral delegate shall be accredited in the convention of the district in which he holds membership and lay delegates, votin
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Page | 227 | p. 227
duties established by President, 115 expulsion of president, 91 member of Administrative Team, 124 Board of Directors (nonvoting), 16, 117 colloquy committees (chair), 156, 157 Commission on Theology and Church Relations (advisory), 151 Council of Presidents, 155 Praesidium, 23 performance of presidential duties, 16, 114, 115 submission of report by, 105 suc
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Page | 229 | p. 229
representation at Synod convention, 104 Model Operating Procedures Manual, 134, 184 Multi-congregation parish. See Parish, multi-congregation Name of the Synod, 11, 215 National inter-Lutheran entities, 25 executives, professional staff, 62 formation, 25 National Mission, Board for. See under Mission Boards of the Synod National Mission, Office of. See under
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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 | 3.12 | pp. 186-194
3.12 Nominations and Elections Regional Elections 3.12.1 For all elections requiring regional representation, the Board of Directors of the Synod and the Council of Presidents acting jointly shall designate five geographic regions. (a) Regions shall be designated 24 months prior to conventions of the Synod and shall take into consideration geogra phical and
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Page | 8 | p. 8
4.3 District Officers ................................................................................................... 197 4.4 District President................................................................................................. 197 4.5 District Boards of Directors .............................................................................
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Bylaws | 1.5 | pp. 27-34
1.5 Regulations for Corporate Synod and Agencies of the Synod General 1.5.1 Board and commission members of all agencies shall be members of member congregations of the Synod. 1.5.1.1 Unless otherwise specified or permitted by the Bylaws, chief executives and executive directors, faculty, staff, and all other employees on either the national or district lev
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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 | 123 | p. 123
Chief Mission Officer 3.4.3 The Chief Mission Officer shall be responsible to the President of the Synod for the mission, ministry, and any programmatic and coordinative functions which are implemented according to the policies adopted by the Board for National Mission and the Board for International Mission. 3.4.3.1 The Chief Mission Officer shall provide s
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Page | 194 | p. 194
required background check, the office will be deemed vacant and will be filled according to Bylaw 3.2.5. 3.12.4.3 The Committee on Elections shall report the official results of each election to the convention and shall file a written report of the tabulation of votes of each election, certified by the chairman and at least one other member of the committee,
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Page | 157 | p. 157
3.10.3.1 The Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry shall consist of the First Vice -President of the Synod as chairman, a representative of Concordia University System, and two presidents of affirmed colleges or universities of the Synod that operate a program or programs that are affirmed by the Synod to qualify graduates for commissioned ministry a
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Bylaws | 4.2 | pp. 196-197
4.2 District Conventions 4.2.1 Conventions of the districts shall afford opportunities for worship, nurture, inspiration, fellowship, and the communication of vital information. They are the principal legislative assemblies, which amend the district’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, consider and take action on reports and overtures, and handle appropri
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Page | 201 | p. 201
4.7 District Nominations, Elections, and Appointments 4.7.1 Each district may adopt regulations for the nomination and election of its president; the nomination, selection, election, ranking, and succession in case of vacancies of its vice-presidents; and the nomination or selection of any regional officers or regional board of directors members, as long as
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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 | 104 | p. 104
3.1.4.1 Each board and commission of the Synod shall be represented at conventions of the Synod. (a) Each board or commission shall be represented by its chairman or another board or commission member and by its principal staff person. The boards for National and International Mission shall also be represented by the executive directors of the Offices of Nat
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Page | 130 | p. 130
(b) Amendments shall be reported to the next convention of the Synod. 3.6.4.1 The assets and liabilities of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund — Missouri Synod are separate and distinct from those of the Synod and its assets cannot be used to satisfy the liabilities and obligations of the Synod. 3.6.4.1.1 In the event the Lutheran Church Extension Fund— Miss
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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 | 45 | p. 45
Procedure of a Dispute Resolution Panel 1.10.7 If the parties to a dispute with the assistance of the reconciler have been unable to achieve reconciliation, the complainant shall notify the Secretary of the Synod within 15 days after receiving the report from the reconciler if the matter is to be presented to a Dispute Resolution Panel. 1.10.7.1 If the compl
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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 | 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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Page | 121 | p. 121
3.3.4.10.1 Although the Board of Directors does not have supervisory authority over the Synod’s colleges and universities and therefore cannot control or direct the management, administration, and governance decisions of the Synod’s colleges and universities, it does have responsibilities under Article XI E 2 of the Constitution and these Bylaws. In carryin
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Page | 200 | p. 200
4.4.8 The district president shall , with the assistance of his district’s circuit visitors, promote and pursue unanimous participation by congregations in the submission of annual statistical reports as an expectation of membership in the Synod. 4.5 District Boards of Directors 4.5.1 Each district shall elect a board of directors, the size and composition o
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Page | 25 | p. 25
and work together and which the congregations alone have the authority to adopt or amend through conventions. 1.3.4.2 Members of the Synod, compelled by love for one another, accept the responsibility to support financially the work of the Synod. 1.3.4.3 Congregations of the Synod, to enable the Synod to plan current and future ministry efforts and to lend a
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Page | 44 | p. 44
If the secretary of the Synod or district is a party to the matter in dispute, has a conflict of interest, or serves as a witness, then the President of the Synod or the district president, as appropriate, shall appoint an administrator of the process in the matter. 1.10.6.1 The administrator shall within 15 days select the reconciler in the manner hereinaft
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Page | 122 | p. 122
(e) serve, if the board’s representation is not otherwise designated, as a nonvoting member of the governing boards of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod Foundation, The Lutheran Church Extension Fund— Missouri Synod, Concordia Publishing House, Concordia University System, the Board of Trustees — Concordia Plans (Board of Directors— Concordia Plan Servic
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Page | 131 | p. 131
extension activities, such as knowledge of real estate, management, and financial planning. 3.6.4.4 The Lutheran Church Extension Fund — Missouri Synod shall raise funds primarily through the issuance of corporate notes and other debt instruments. 3.6.4.4.1 The assets of the Lutheran Church Extension Fund — Missouri Synod shall be used exclusively to provide
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Page | 149 | p. 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 | 199 | p. 199
professional church workers; the need for maintenance of purity of doctrine; the strengthening of the bond of Christian fellowship; and the provision of resources, opportunities, and assistance so God ’s people can grow in their faith, hope, and love. (f) The jurisdiction of the district president shall include non-member congregations whose pastors are memb
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Bylaws | 5 | pp. 203-207
5. CIRCUITS 5.1 Visitation Circuits 5.1.1 A visitation circuit is a network of congregations that “walks together ” for mutual care, support, advice, study, ecclesiastical encouragement, service, coordination, resources, and counsel — all for the sake of greater congregational participation in God’s mission. 5.1.2 Districts shall establish visitation circuit
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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 | 24 | p. 24
Bylaws, the “synodwide corporate entities” of the Synod are the following corporations: (1) Concordia Historical Institute (2) Concordia Publishing House (3) Lutheran Church Extension Fund— Missouri Synod (4) Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod Foundation (5) Concordia University System The term “synodwide corporate entity” is not used in these Bylaws to include
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Page | 26 | p. 26
appropriate bylaws. Primary responsibility is given to each officer, to the extent of his jurisdiction, for implementing specific decisions of the appropriate conventions, boards, and commissions and for supervising and coordinating the day -to-day activities of the respective staffs. Elected officers are to report their activities and recommendations to the
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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 | 81 | p. 81
out the above provision (Bylaw 2.15.3). In commencing such action, the President of the Synod: (a) Shall determine whether Bylaw 2.15.3 provisions have been carried out and shall thoroughly investigate the matter to determine whether the facts learned from his investigation form a basis for expulsion of the member under Article XIII of the Constitution. He m
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Page | 93 | p. 93
president, the President of the Synod, or the chairman of the Council of Presidents may become aware of such information or facts by his own personal knowledge. Such information or facts may also be conveyed to him in a formal written complaint or accusation made by any person. In commencing such action, the ecclesiastical supervisor of the accused: (a) Shal
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Page | 94 | p. 94
and the matter shall thereafter proceed as set forth in Bylaws 2.16.4 – 2.16.10.4. 2.17.5 If the determinati on is not to initiate formal proceedings, the district president shall in writing so inform the accuser, any other district president involved, and the involved member, which shall terminate the matter, subject to the following: (a) If a matter of doc
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Page | 118 | p. 118
and lay) and no more than two voting members total may be elected from any one district. The First Vice -President of the Synod shall be the nonvoting member. 3.3.4.2 The Board of Directors shall have the powers and duties that have been accorded to it by the Articles of Incorporation , Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod, and the laws of the
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Page | 135 | p. 135
(e.g., as in Bylaw 3.12.3.4 [c]) and suggesting for appointment those suitably qualified; (m) serve as a resource for regents’ development of and mandatory training in governance skills, especially as they relate to the carrying out of the mission of the Synod’s colleges and universities within the mission of the church, and foster regents’ growth in aspects
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Page | 140 | p. 140
(i) Concordia University System, with the assistance of its Institution Advisory Council, shall provide training for members of visitation teams, according to policies established by Concordia University System. (j) Direct costs of the visitation process shall be borne by the institution visited, regulated according to a schedule devised, after input from th
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Page | 143 | p. 143
• youth ministry Upon recommendation of the Office of National Mission, the Board for National Mission shall serve as a calling agency for institutional and agency chaplains and other non- foreign specialized ministers (e.g., Veterans Administration chaplains, Bureau of Prison chaplains, hospital chaplains, pastoral counselors, and teachers of chaplaincy an
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Page | 144 | p. 144
• church planting and revitalization • youth ministry 3.8.2.5 In carrying out its mission responsibilities, the Office of National Mission shall receive its primary focus from the mission and ministry emphases developed triennially by the national Synod in convention and from the policies developed and determined by the Board for National Mission. Through th
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Page | 196 | p. 196
(b) The ecclesiastical supervision of a new church start, satellite worship site, or any ministry established by a congregation in another district shall be decided by the affected district presidents. 4.1.7 Officers of the district shall have primary responsibility for district implementation of decisions of the Synod at the national level as they apply at
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Page | 198 | p. 198
(a) He shall cause the resolutions of the Synod to be implemented in the district, encouraging the congregations and schools to embrace the mission and ministry emphases adopted by the national convention for the triennium. (b) He shall regularly report to the President of the Synod. (c) He shall serve the congregations of the district as liaison between the
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Page | 3 | p. 3
Contents FOREWORD ....................................................................................................... 9 CONSTITUTION OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—M ISSOURI SYNOD PREAMBLE R EASON FOR THE FORMING OF A SYNODICAL UNION .............................11 ARTICLE I N AME ..................................................................................
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Page | 6 | p. 6
Decision by Congregations .............................................................................. 91 General Regulations ......................................................................................... 91 2.17 Expulsion of Individuals from Membership in the Synod as a Result of Sexual Misconduct or Criminal Behavior ..........................
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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 | 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 | 47 | p. 47
(3) Discretionary acts: The Appeal Panel may approve an appeal if there was a clear abuse of discretion impacting the decision of the Dispute Resolution Panel, resulting in a gross miscarriage of justice, or that involves an obvious and inappropriate bias or prejudice. 1.10.8.3 Within 30 days after its formation, the Appeal Panel shall issue its written deci
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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 | 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 | 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 | 88 | p. 88
the above provision (paragraph 2.16.3). In commencing such action, the chairman of the Council of Presidents: (a) Shall determine whether Bylaw 2.16.3 provisions have been carried out and shall thoroughly investigate the matter to determine whether the facts learned from his investigation form a basis for expulsion of the President of the Synod under Article
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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.
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.
