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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 103 | p. 103
(c) Delegates are expected to be faithful in attendance at all sessions
of the convention. All duly elected voting delegates shall attend all
sessions regularly until the close of the convention. Delegates who
arrive late or leave early or who do not attend at all shall present a
written excuse.
(d) Delegates shall report the actions of the Synod to their ci
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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 | 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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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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Constitution | Article IX | p. 14
Article IX Representation
The synodical meetings are composed of regularly elected and delegated
representatives and of certain individual persons, as specified in the Bylaws, to wit:
1. R epresentatives of congregations, entitled to vote . A number of
congregations shall form a group which shall be represented by two voting
delegates, one a pastor and one a
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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 | 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 | 100 | p. 100
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 | 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 | 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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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 | 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 | 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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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 | 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 | 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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Articles of Incorporation | Article III | pp. 215-216
Article III Membership
Membership in this corporation is held and may be acquired by congregations,
ministers of religion— ordained and ministers of religion— commissioned, as defined
by the Constitution and Bylaws of this corporation, who confess and accept the
confessional basis of Article II of the Constitution of The Lutheran Church— Missouri
Synod. The
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Page | 14 | p. 14
B. Special Sessions of the Synod
1. The Synod may under circumstances call a special session if two- thirds of
the voting representatives present so decide.
2. In cases of urgent necessity a special session may be called by the President
with the consent of two-thirds of the district presidents or by three-fourths
of the district presidents without the conse
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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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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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Constitution | Article V | pp. 12-13
Article V Membership
Membership in the Synod is held and may be acquired by congregations and
individuals, ministers of religion — ordained and ministers of religion —
commissioned, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church who confess and accept the
confessional basis of Article II.
A. Voting Members
All organized congregations that have joined the Synod hold vot
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Page | 105 | p. 105
(b) If the district has no executive staff, it may select two members of
its board of directors.
3.1.4.6 Each district may be represented by two youth representatives at
conventions of the Synod.
(a) Youth representatives may be selected as a district may specify.
(b) They may speak at the request of a floor committee and with the
permission of the chair.
Re
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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 | 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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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 | 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
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Articles of Incorporation | Article IV | p. 216
Article IV Meetings
This corporation shall have general meetings, called conventions, at least once
every three years, or as often as may be determined by resolution of the Synod in
convention. Special meetings may be called in such manner as may be provided by the
Constitution or Bylaws of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod. All officers and
agencies of t
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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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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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Constitution | Article XV | pp. 19-20
Article XV Changes in, and Amendments to, the Constitution
1. Changes in the Constitution and amendments thereto may be made
provided they do not conflict with the provisions laid down in Article II and
in Article VI.
2. All proposed changes and amendments must be submitted in writing to the
Synod assembled in convention, and each proposed change shall be vo
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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 | 213 | p. 213
standard form of agreement to be entered into by the Synod and each
recognized service organization.
(b) Each mission board of the Synod in consultation with the Council
of Presidents shall adopt further policies and criteria, related to its area
of responsibility for granting of recognized service organization status
by its respective mission office, such p
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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 | 8 | p. 8
4.3 District Officers ................................................................................................... 197
4.4 District President................................................................................................. 197
4.5 District Boards of Directors .............................................................................
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Page | 13 | p. 13
Article VI Conditions of Membership
Conditions for acquiring and holding membership in the Synod are the following:
1. Acceptance of the confessional basis of Article II.
2. Renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description, such as:
a. Serving congregations of mixed confession, as such, by ministers of the
church;
b. Taking part in the services a
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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 | 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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Constitution | Article VI | p. 13
Article VI Conditions of Membership
Conditions for acquiring and holding membership in the Synod are the following:
1. Acceptance of the confessional basis of Article II.
2. Renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description, such as:
a. Serving congregations of mixed confession, as such, by ministers of the
church;
b. Taking part in the services a
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Constitution | Article VII | p. 13
Article VII Relation of the Synod to Its Members
1. In its relation to its members the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government
exercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the individual
congregation’s right of self -government it is but an advisory body.
Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod imposing anything upon the
individual congre
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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 | 101 | p. 101
manner prescribed by the congregation or parish. Congregations of a
multi-congregation parish not contributing a lay voter may send an
advisory lay representative, with voice but no vote. A pastor serving a
congregation in an assisting capacity (Bylaw 2.5.6) is not eligible to cast
that congregation’s pastoral vote.
(d) Should a multi-congregation parish in
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Page | 151 | p. 151
(c) It shall maintain a complete file of succeeding handbooks so that
comparison can be made between current provisions and those
preceding.
(d) It shall carry out assignments by conventions of the Synod relating
to the Handbook.
(e) It shall respond to requests from agencies of the Synod to propose
new provisions to address specific Handbook-related issues
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Articles of Incorporation | Article II | pp. 215-216
Article II Objectives
The objectives and purposes of this corporation are:
a. To unite in a corporate body Evangelical Lutheran congregations that
acknowledge and remain true to the Book of Concord of the year of our Lord
1580 as a true exhibition of sound Christian doctrine.
b. To assist in the establishment of Evangelical Lutheran congregations and
preachi
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Articles of Incorporation | Article VI | pp. 216-217
Article VI Property
This corporation shall have power to acquire by gift, grant, demise, devise,
bequest, purchase, or otherwise, property of every kind and description, real, personal,
or mixed; to hold and use such property and deal with, or dispose of, any or all such
property by sale, exchange, or gift, when necessary or expedient to carry out the
object
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Articles of Incorporation | Article VII | p. 217
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 subordinate bodies as may be necessary to accomplish its general
and special objectives and in such bylaws assign responsibilities to those bodies.
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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 | 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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Constitution | Article XIII | p. 18
Article XIII Expulsion from the Synod
1. Members who act contrary to the confession laid down in Article II and to
the conditions of membership laid down in Article VI or persist in an
offensive conduct, shall, after previous futile admonition, be expelled from
the Synod.
2. Expulsion shall be executed only after following such procedure as shall be
set fort
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Page | 18 | p. 18
11. The districts, when legally incorporated, are represented before the State by
a board of directors composed of the president, the secretary, and the
treasurer of the district, which board, however, may be constituted
otherwise.
12. The districts are independent in the administration of affairs which concern
their district only, it being understood, howev
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Page | 19 | p. 19
Article XV Changes in, and Amendments to, the Constitution
1. Changes in the Constitution and amendments thereto may be made
provided they do not conflict with the provisions laid down in Article II and
in Article VI.
2. All proposed changes and amendments must be submitted in writing to the
Synod assembled in convention, and each proposed change shall be vo
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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 | 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 | 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 | 142 | p. 142
Directors, since such power is finally vested in the Synod’s Board of
Directors.
(a) When the Board of Trustees — Concordia Plans is carrying out its
functions with respect to any such separate plan, it may be designated
as the board of trustees of such separate plan.
(b) When the board is carrying out its functions generally, it may be
designated as the “Bo
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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 | 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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Articles of Incorporation | Article I | p. 215
Article I Name, Duration, Registered Office, and Agent
a. The name of this corporation shall be “The Lutheran Church— Missouri
Synod.”
b. The period of duration of this corporation is perpetual.
c. The address of the registered office of this corporation is 120 S. Central Ave.,
Clayton, Missouri.
d. The name of the registered agent of this corporation is CT
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Articles of Incorporation | Article V | p. 216
Article V Officers
This corporation shall have a board of directors of such number and
qualifications and who shall be elected in such manner and for such terms of office as
shall be set forth in the Constitution or Bylaws of The Lutheran Church— Missouri
Synod. In addition, this corporation shall have other officers having such
qualifications and who shall
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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 | 12 | p. 12
7. Encourage congregations to strive for uniformity in church practice, but also
to develop an appreciation of a variety of responsible practices and customs
which are in harmony with our common profession of faith;
8. Provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for pastors, teachers, and
other professional church workers of the Synod in the performan
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Constitution | Article VIII | pp. 13-14
Article VIII Synodical Meetings
A. Time and Legality of Meetings
1. The Synod convenes every three years for its regular meeting.
2. For a legal convention a constitutional convocation of the meeting and the
presence of at least one- fourth of the constitutionally elected voting
representatives are necessary.
B. Special Sessions of the Synod
1. The Synod ma
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Constitution | Article X | pp. 14-15
Article X Officers
—A—
The officers of the Synod are:
1. A President
2. Vice-presidents, in line of succession, as prescribed by the Bylaws
3. A Secretary
4. A Board of Directors
5. Other officers, as specified in the Bylaws
—B—
1. The President, the vice- presidents, and the Secretary must be ministers of
religion— ordained of The Lutheran Church— Missouri
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Constitution | Article XIV | p. 18
Article XIV Bylaws
The Synod in convention may adopt bylaws that are consistent with and do not
contradict the Constitution of the Synod, which controls and supersedes such bylaws
and all other rules and regulations of the Synod. Bylaws, which may be adopted,
revised, or eliminated by a simple majority vote of a national convention, are binding
regulations f
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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 | 64 | p. 64
2.12.1.4 An individual member serving in a foreign location or as an active -duty
military chaplain shall hold membership in the Synod through the district
in which membership was held prior to installation as such, or in the case
of a first call that is to foreign service, the Missouri District.
2.12.1.5 An individual member of the Synod serving in any oth
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Page | 188 | p. 188
(a) The President-elect shall select from the list of 20 nominees for the
Office of First Vice -President five nominees who have consented to
serve if elected, at least two of whom shall be taken from the top five
nominees.
(b) Balloting will proceed with the candidate receiving the smallest
number of votes eliminated from consideration until one candidate
r
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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 | 206 | p. 206
suggesting improvements for services and programming at the national
and district levels and is encouraged to meet at least twice a year.
(a) The circuit visitor shall endeavor to provide resources,
opportunities, and assistance so God’s people can grow in their faith.
(b) Among the functions which the circuit forum may perform are the
following:
(1) To stud
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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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