LCMS Handbook

Search the Handbook

Search public-safe Handbook navigation records by keyword, bylaw number, Constitution article, and convention topic.

Search

Filters

Bylaws | 3 | pp. 100-195

National Organization and Responsibilities

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 | 3.12 | pp. 186-194

Nominations and Elections

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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Bylaws | 4 | pp. 196-202

District Organization

(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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 192 | p. 192

Handbook page 192

(e) The committee shall, whenever possible, prepare and hold in readiness a slate of candidates for any new board or commission likely to be established at a convention of the Synod, and of these the committee should, whenever possible, be informed in advance. (f) Any changes to the complete list of candidates and alternates necessitated by unavailability, d

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Constitution | Article X | pp. 14-15

Officers

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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 186 | p. 186

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 7 | p. 7

Handbook page 7

3.6 Synodwide Corporate Entities ........................................................................... 124 General Principles ........................................................................................... 124 Concordia Historical Institute ....................................................................... 127 Concordia Publishing Hous

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Bylaws | 3.1 | pp. 100-112

National Conventions

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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 201 | p. 201

Handbook page 201

4.7 District Nominations, Elections, and Appointments 4.7.1 Each district may adopt regulations for the nomination and election of its president; the nomination, selection, election, ranking, and succession in case of vacancies of its vice-presidents; and the nomination or selection of any regional officers or regional board of directors members, as long as

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 8 | p. 8

Handbook page 8

4.3 District Officers ................................................................................................... 197 4.4 District President................................................................................................. 197 4.5 District Boards of Directors .............................................................................

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 188 | p. 188

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 224 | p. 224

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 189 | p. 189

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 193 | p. 193

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 229 | p. 229

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Bylaws | 3.3 | pp. 112-124

President and Officers

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 | 181 | p. 181

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 190 | p. 190

Handbook page 190

Iowa East Ohio Kansas Rocky Mountain Michigan South Wisconsin Mid-South Southeastern Minnesota North Pacific Southwest Montana Southern Illinois New England Texas 3.12.3.3 One-half of the electing districts shall be designated by the Secretary of the Synod to elect a professional church worker and the other half a layperson, with roles reversed every six yea

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 226 | p. 226

Handbook page 226

doctrinal review of published materials, 37 formation and realignment, 194 governing documents, 194 governing principles, 194–96 membership, 63– 64, 195 nominations and elections, 17, 197, 201 regional selections, 197 non-geographical, 64, 210 obligation to carry out Synod resolutions, 25 officers, 16, 17, 197 ethical obligations, 33 officers, executives, pr

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 101 | p. 101

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 102 | p. 102

Handbook page 102

(2) The congregation or congregations served (in other than an assisting capacity) by the elected pastoral delegate shall be removed from consideration for supplying candidates for the other delegate and alternate elections for that particular convention. (i) For the election of the alternate lay delegate: All lay nominees except those who have been disquali

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 116 | p. 116

Handbook page 116

(a) The Board of Directors of the Synod shall determine when the President is unable to serve in that capacity because of prolonged illness or disability. (b) The First Vice-President shall remain as the acting president until that board determines that such illness or disability has been removed. Vice-Presidents 3.3.2 The vice-presidents shall be elected ad

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 174 | p. 174

Handbook page 174

(v) effect the removal from office of the institution’s president upon a finding, under the procedure of Bylaw 3.10.6.8.3 or Bylaw 3.10.6.8.1 (e) or (f) , that he is unfit to serve as the spiritual head of the college or university; (w) effectively and intentionally govern the institution and its president so that administration and faculty carry out their m

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 191 | p. 191

Handbook page 191

candidates from the list of nominees gathered by the nominations process. (d) In the case of boards of directors of synodwide corporate entities, the committee shall consult with the governing boards of each synodwide corporate entity, through their chief executive, to receive input for the committee’s consideration. (e) In the case of the boards of regents

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 223 | p. 223

Handbook page 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 | 230 | p. 230

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Bylaws | 1 | pp. 21-54

Relationships Within and Through the Synod

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 | 103 | p. 103

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 125 | p. 125

Handbook page 125

3.6.1.4 Each governing board of a synodwide corporate entity shall elect its own chair, vice -chair, and secretary and such operating officers as may be necessary. 3.6.1.5 Synodwide corporate entities may create chief executive positions (who may be designated as an officer of the corporation) pursuant to Bylaw 1.2.1, and fill them in accordance with the Byl

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 162 | p. 162

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 197 | p. 197

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Bylaws | 5.3 | pp. 205-207

Circuit Forums

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.

Articles of Incorporation | Article V | p. 216

Officers

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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Bylaws | 1.2 | pp. 21-24

Definition of Terms

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 | 23 | p. 23

Handbook page 23

a board of trustees, a board of regents, a board of managers, or a board of governors. (l) May: Permissive, expressing ability, liberty, or the possibility to act. (m) Member of the Synod : See Constitution Art. V. Members of the Synod are of two classes: corporate members (congregations that have joined the Synod) and individual members (ministers of religi

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 24 | p. 24

Handbook page 24

Bylaws, the “synodwide corporate entities” of the Synod are the following corporations: (1) Concordia Historical Institute (2) Concordia Publishing House (3) Lutheran Church Extension Fund— Missouri Synod (4) Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod Foundation (5) Concordia University System The term “synodwide corporate entity” is not used in these Bylaws to include

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 100 | p. 100

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 112 | p. 112

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 163 | p. 163

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 187 | p. 187

Handbook page 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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 194 | p. 194

Handbook page 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,

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Bylaws | 5 | pp. 203-207

Circuits

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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 203 | p. 203

Handbook page 203

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

Verify in official Handbook before formal use.

Page | 220 | p. 220

Handbook page 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

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.

Pause and Pray at 3:07 p.m.

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.

Prayer page