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 | 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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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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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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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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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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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 | 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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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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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 | 7 | p. 7
3.6 Synodwide Corporate Entities ........................................................................... 124 General Principles ........................................................................................... 124 Concordia Historical Institute ....................................................................... 127 Concordia Publishing Hous
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Page | 56 | p. 56
shall submit the application and a full report concerning its denial to the next regularly scheduled convention of the district, which shall determine whether to grant the application or to affirm the denial. 2.3.2 A copy of the signed constitution shall be forwarded to the secretary of the district. Acceptance by the district board of directors shall be rep
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Page | 57 | p. 57
admitted to their respective ministries in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth in these Bylaws and have thereby become members of the Synod; (2) candidates for the pastoral ministry who have satisfied the qualifications and requirements for assignment of first calls by the Council of Presidents acting as the Board of Assignments; or (3) ordai
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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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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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Page | 112 | p. 112
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 | 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 | 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 | 138 | p. 138
(d) Concordia University System may, upon finding a church work preparation program to be in breach of the Standards, either on the basis of a regular visitation report or of a focused review, place the program on probation for up to a one -year period. If Conc ordia University System determines that substantial progress has been made and that verifiable pla
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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 | 150 | p. 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 | 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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Page | 189 | p. 189
individual members of the Synod, along with lay persons of the congregations of the Synod. Nominations may be received from persons or parties outside the region. (c) All nominees for a particular regional position must reside within the boundaries of the region for which they are nominated. (d) All incumbents eligible for reelection shall be considered to b
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Page | 193 | p. 193
Committee on Elections 3.12.4 Prior to the convention of the Synod, the President shall appoint a Committee on Elections, which shall make the necessary arrangements for the elections, shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of ballots, and shall supervise the elections and the tabulation of the votes. (a) The President shall designate a ch
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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 | 207 | p. 207
5.3.5 The circuit forum shall be qualified to submit overtures to national and district conventions. 5.4 Circuit Convocations 5.4.1 The circuit convocation is a larger gathering of members from circuit congregations during a year in which there is no national or district convention. 5.4.2 The purpose of a circuit convocation is to provide a setting in which
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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.
