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 | 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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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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 3.9 | 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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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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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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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 | 6 | pp. 208-214
6. AUXILIARY AND RECOGNIZED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS 6.1 Auxiliaries 6.1.1 An auxiliary exists as an arm of the Synod and has as its primary function aiding the Synod, specifically in programs that extend the ministry and mission of the Synod. Auxiliary status is presently limited to the International Lutheran Laymen’ s League and the Lutheran Women’ s Missiona
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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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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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Constitution | Article XI | pp. 15-16
Article XI Rights and Duties of Officers A. In General 1. The officers of the Synod must assume only such rights as have been expressly conferred upon them by the Synod, and in everything pertaining to their rights and the performance of their duties they are responsible to the Synod. 2. The Synod at all times has the right to call its officers to account an
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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
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Constitution | Article XII | pp. 16-18
Article XII Districts of the Synod and Their Regulation 1. The Synod is divided into districts, the geographical boundaries of which are determined by the Synod and are altered by it according to circumstances. 2. This Constitution is also the constitution of each district of the Synod; however, each district is at liberty to adopt such bylaws and pass such
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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
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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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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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Page | 15 | p. 15
3. Any officer or any member of any board or commission ceases to be an officer of the Synod or a member of any board or commission as soon as he ceases to be a member of a congregation affiliated with the Synod. Article XI Rights and Duties of Officers A. In General 1. The officers of the Synod must assume only such rights as have been expressly conferred u
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Page | 145 | p. 145
appointing, assigning, withdrawing, and releasing of missionaries (ministers of religion — ordained and ministers of religion — commissioned) and other workers for the ministries in foreign areas. 3.8.3.1 The Board for International Mission shall have oversight of the implementation of policies adopted by the board and implemented by the Office of Internatio
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Page | 34 | p. 34
(1) Incapacity (2) Breach of fiduciary responsibilities to the Synod or a district (3) Neglect or refusal to perform duties of office (4) Conviction of a felony 1.5.8.1 Unless otherwise specified in these Bylaws, the procedure for removal of an officer of the Synod or a district from office shall be as follows: (a) Action for removal of an officer of a distr
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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 | 216 | p. 216
confessional basis of Article II of the Constitution of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. The member congregations of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod shall be the voting members of this corporation. Congregations shall exercise their voting power through clergy and lay delegates representing the member congregations in such number as may be determine
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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 | 89 | p. 89
(c) prepare a written memorandum describing the manner in which there was compliance with the guidelines provided in Matthew 18:15– 16 and “previous futile admonition” ( Constitution Art. XIII), as well as all of the provisions of Bylaws 2.16.3– 2.16.5; and (d) provide to the President of the Synod a written notification that he has 15 days from the date of
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Page | 177 | p. 177
and have ultimate authority and independence in the operation of the institution subject to appropriate pre -established policies and rules (e.g., Synod Bylaws), under no circumstances shall a board delegate its authority to, nor commingle its authority wit h, any other body that includes non- board members. Boards of regents may meet with advisory groups (e
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Page | 16 | p. 16
by presidential letter and has been published in an official periodical of the Synod. If such matters are related to the business affairs of the Synod, such a vote shall be conducted only after the President has consulted with the synodical Board of Directors. In all cases at least one -fourth of the member congregations must register their vote. C. Duties
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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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Page | 124 | p. 124
3.5.1.1 The Administrative Team shall consist of the President, the First Vice - President, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Mission Officer, and the Chief Administrative Officer and shall be under the leadership of the President. Operations Team 3.5.2 The Operations Team shall assist the President and the Board of Directors of the Synod
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Page | 120 | p. 120
property of the Synod as is generally vested in and imposed upon a board of directors of a corporation. (a) It shall, however, delegate to district boards of directors the authority to buy, sell, and encumber real and personal property in the ordinary course of performing the functions which the district carries on for the Synod in accord with general polic
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Page | 146 | p. 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 | 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 | 132 | p. 132
2. The chairman of the Board for National Mission or his representative from that board 3. At least seven members appointed by the members, as provided in the Bylaws of the Foundation 4. The President of the Synod or his representative 5. The representative designated by the Board of Directors of the Synod as a nonvoting member The members of the Board of T
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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 | 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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Page | 162 | p. 162
3.10.5.6.2 As soon as an impending vacancy in the office of president is known, the board of regents, with prior consent of the President of the Synod, shall issue in an official periodical of the Synod a call for the nomination of candidates for the presidency of the seminary. The call for nominations shall describe the office and qualifications desired to
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Page | 183 | p. 183
(b) Should the action or inaction prove, to the satisfaction of the Concordia University System Board of Directors and with the concurrence of the President of the Synod, to violate the doctrine and practice of the Synod (Const. Art. II) or to have caused the institution to be not in good standing with the Synod (Bylaw 3.6.6.4.1 [e]), the Concordia Universit
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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 | 217 | p. 217
dealt with, or disposed of in a manner not in conflict with the laws of the State of Missouri or of the laws of any state in which said property is located. Article VII Bylaws This corporation shall have such constitution and bylaws as may be necessary to accomplish its purposes and shall have power to create such corporations, boards, offices, and other sub
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Page | 17 | p. 17
c. As many circuit visitors as each district may determine upon d. A district secretary e. A district treasurer, who may be elected by the district convention or appointed in such manner as the district may prescribe 4. Additional officers, boards, and commissions are elected by the districts as they are required for the execution of the business of the dist
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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 | 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 | 109 | p. 109
(4) Daily minutes shall be prepared by the Secretary ’s office for inclusion in Today’s Business. (j) The date and site of Synod conventions shall be established in the following manner. (1) The President, in consultation with the convention manager, shall decide upon the dates of Synod conventions. (2) The Board of Directors of the Synod, in consultation wi
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Page | 163 | p. 163
(g) The search committee shall prepare a list of at least five candidates that it recommends to the electors as the list from which the election slate is prepared. (h) At a special meeting of the board of regents held to elect a president, there shall be present and voting as electors the members of the board of regents as a group with one vote (the district
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Page | 128 | p. 128
Department of Archives and History within six months after they leave office. Such transfer shall be done under the auspices of the Department of Archives and History’s staff and in consultation with the successor in the office. (e) Such minutes, files, records, and reports shall ordinarily be transferred to the archives at the expiration of not more than 15
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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 | 117 | p. 117
(g) He shall announce daily the time and the place of committee meetings at conventions. (h) He shall officially notify individuals elected to office of their election. (i) He shall edit the proceedings of the Synod in convention and arrange for its distribution in harmony with the provisions of the Bylaws. 3.3.3.2 The Secretary shall perform such other work
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Page | 87 | p. 87
Consultation 2.16.3 When a district president of the Synod is aware of information which could lead to the expulsion of the President of the Synod from the Synod under Article XIII of the Constitution, prior to any formal written complaint or accusation, the district president shall consult with the Council of Presidents to seek advice and also so that it ca
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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
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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 | 147 | p. 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 | 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 | 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 | 108 | p. 108
(c) The President of the Synod shall indicate which convention committees must meet before the convention opens and shall notify the convention manager, who shall provide pre -convention housing and meeting facilities for them. All direct expenses incurred by t hese pre-convention meetings shall be borne by the Synod. (d) The primary sources of income which
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Page | 115 | p. 115
boards and serves as a voting member of the Board of Directors of the Synod and the Board of Directors of Concordia Publishing House). (1) The President ’s representative shall normally be a member of the Administrative Team. (2) The President shall, in reasonable time, receive notice of such meetings, the proposed agenda, and minutes thereof. (e) Prior to h
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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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Articles of Incorporation | Article VIII | p. 217
Article VIII Amendments* Amendments to these Articles of Incorporation may be made at any time at a general or special meeting of this corporation by the affirmative vote of a two -thirds majority of the delegates present and voting or by a simple majority of all delegates, whichever is less, provided such amendments are not inconsistent with the Constitutio
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Page | 33 | p. 33
regents pursuant to Bylaw 1.5.7 (2), (8), or (9), the written notice shall be handled as follows: (1) The board of regents shall schedule and hold a special meeting as required under Bylaw 1.5.7.1 (a) and (b) and consider a recommendation for removal under Bylaw 1.5.7.1 (c) (1). (2) If the board of regents fails to take action or declines to recommend remova
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Page | 186 | p. 186
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 | 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 | 84 | p. 84
(4) be publicized as deemed appropriate under the circumstances by the district president or the President of the Synod. Appeal Panel 2.15.8 The decision of the Hearing Panel may be appealed by the accused (if an active participant in the hearing before the Hearing Panel ), or by the President of the Synod if a question of doctrine or practice is involved (C
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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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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 | 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
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Page | 141 | p. 141
(d) The “Concordia Retirement Savings Plan ” is the tax -sheltered annuity retirement savings plan adopted by the Board of Directors in August 2003, effective October 1, 2005, as such plan has been heretofore or may hereafter be amended. The text of the plan, as amended from time to time, shall be published under the supervision of the Board of Trustees— Con
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Page | 181 | p. 181
(1) The board of regents shall initiate a transition review of the campus, which shall include consultation with Concordia University System on the basis of the Lutheran Identity and Mission Outcomes Standards and the institution’s most recent affirmation review. The review is to provide a report on the state of the campus for use by the search committee, t
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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 | 129 | p. 129
(a) It shall supply publishing and distribution services for the agencies of the Synod as required, unless this is deemed detrimental to the agency involved. (b) It shall consult with representatives of other boards when materials are produced in concert with them. (c) Unless otherwise instructed by the Synod, the Board of Directors of Concordia Publishing
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Page | 187 | p. 187
become a candidate. In the event of a tie for the final candidate position, all names involved in the tie shall be included as candidates. 3.12.2.2 The Secretary of the Synod shall publish in the Convention Workbook and post on the Synod Website brief biographies of the five candidates for President and the 20 candidates for First Vice -President. This re
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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 | 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 | 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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Page | 158 | p. 158
The Executive Director of the Office of Pastoral Education 3.10.4.7 The Pastoral Formation Committee shall meet at least once per year, and shall report on its work at the annual joint meeting of the two seminary boards of regents. Additional meetings shall be determined by the chairman in consultation with the committee members. E. Seminary Boards of Regent
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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.
