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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 8 | p. 8
4.3 District Officers ................................................................................................... 197
4.4 District President................................................................................................. 197
4.5 District Boards of Directors .............................................................................
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 38 | p. 38
(1) Each board, commission, and other subordinate group of the
Synod shall advise the President of the Synod of the number and
desired competency of doctrinal reviewers needed by it and may
suggest a list of qualified persons. The President shall appoint
reviewers for each group according to its needs. They shall be
broadly representative of the ministry of
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Bylaws | 5.3 | pp. 205-207
5.3 Circuit Forums
5.3.1 The circuit forum is the group which aids the process of keeping
congregations, particularly the lay leaders, commissioned ministers, and
pastors, supportive of one another in their common confession and
mutually active in developing programs for the good of member
congregations, in considering and recommending new work, and in
sug
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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.
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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.