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.
Bylaws | 1.8 | p. 36
1.8 Dissent
1.8.1 While retaining the right of brotherly dissent, members of the Synod are
expected as part of the life together within the fellowship of the Synod to
honor and uphold the resolutions of the Synod.
1.8.2 Dissent from the doctrinal position of the Synod as expressed in its
resolutions and doctrinal statements is to be expressed first within th
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 4 | p. 4
1. RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN AND THROUGH THE SYNOD ................................................ 21
1.1 Purpose of the Synod ............................................................................................ 21
1.2 Definition of Terms ............................................................................................... 21
1.3 Synod Relation
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Constitution | Article II | p. 11
Article II Confession
The Synod, and every member of the Synod, accepts without reservation:
1. The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God
and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice;
2. All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and
unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God,
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 31 | p. 31
(1) All responses to requests for information involving research or
compilation shall be billed to the member on the basis of actual
costs.
(2) Any inspection of financial records shall be done by (a)
member(s) of the congregation or its stated authorized agent at a
mutually agreeable time and place.
(3) The board may decline to provide the information reque
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 | 3.3 | 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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 113 | p. 113
Powers and Duties – Ecclesiastical
3.3.1.1 As the chief ecclesiastical officer of the Synod, the President shall supervise
the doctrine taught and practiced in the Synod, including all synodwide
corporate entities.
3.3.1.1.1 The President of the Synod has ecclesiastical supervision of all officers of
the Synod and its agencies, the individual districts of th
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 222 | p. 222
appointed members, 174
as board of the Synod. See Boards of
the Synod
qualifications and their verification,
175, 191, 192
removal of member, 32
training, 176
closure or sale, 177
Concordia University System, 133– 40
consolidation, 177
coordination and collaboration, 178
doctrinal review, 37
president, 182
faculty, 157, 183– 84
academic freedom, 183
appointm
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
Page | 223 | p. 223
submission of report by, 105
terms of office, 110– 12
Committee for Convention Nominations,
189–92
preliminary work by Secretary, 116
subcommittee (“3.2.5”) for vacancy
nominations, 112
Committee on Elections, 193–94
Committee, Colloquy, for Commissioned
Ministry, 156– 57
Committee, Colloquy, for Pastoral
Ministry, 156
Committee, convention, 106
directed rep
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
Verify in official Handbook before formal use.
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
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.