Constitution Bylaws Articles of Incorporation The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 2007

208 Pages·2008·0.6 MB·English

H
ANDBOOK
Constitution
Bylaws
Articles of Incorporation
The Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod
2007
2007
Constitution, Bylaws,
and
Articles of Incorporation
as amended by the
2007 national convention
14–19 July 2007
Copyright © 2007 The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122
Telephone: [phone]
Manufactured in the United States of America
Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
C
ONSTITUTION
T L C
OF HE UTHERAN HURCH
M S
ISSOURI YNOD
PREAMBLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Reason for the Forming of a Synodical Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
ARTICLEI NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
ARTICLEII CONFESSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
ARTICLEIII OBJECTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
ARTICLEIV POWERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
ARTICLEV MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
A. Voting Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
B. Advisory Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
ARTICLEVI CONDITIONSOFMEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
ARTICLEVII RELATIONOFTHESYNODTOITSMEMBERS . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
ARTICLEVIII SYNODICALMEETINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
A. Time and Legality of Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
B. Special Sessions of the Synod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
C. Resolutions at Synodical Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
ARTICLEIX REPRESENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
ARTICLEX OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
A. Officers of the Synod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
B. Qualifications of Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
ARTICLEXI RIGHTSANDDUTIESOFOFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
A. In General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
B. Duties of the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
C. Duties of the Vice-Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
D. Duties of the Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
E. Duties of the Vice-President–Finance—Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
F. Duties of the Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
ARTICLEXII DISTRICTSOFTHESYNODANDTHEIRREGULATION . . . . . . .17
A. Voting Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
B. Advisory Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
ARTICLEXIII EXPULSIONFROMTHESYNOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
ARTICLEXIV CHANGESIN, ANDAMENDMENTSTO, THECONSTITUTION . . . . .19
B
YLAWS
T L C
OF HE UTHERAN HURCH
M S
ISSOURI YNOD
1. RELATIONSHIPSWITHINANDTHROUGHTHESYNOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
1.1 Purpose of the Synod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
1.2 Definition of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
1.3 Synod Relationships: Congregation, National, District,
Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
1.4 Synod Relationships: Conventions, Officers, Boards,
Commissions, Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
1.5 Regulations for Corporate Synod and Agencies of the Synod . . . . .28
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Full Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Agency Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Agency Conflict Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
1.6 Confessional Position of the Synod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Doctrinal Resolutions and Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
1.7 Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
1.8 Dissent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
1.9 Doctrinal Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Definition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Material Subject to Doctrinal Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
1.10 Dispute Resolution of the Synod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Exceptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Definition of Terms as Used in this Bylaw Section 1.10 . . . . . . .38
Informal Efforts toward Reconciliation; Consultation . . . . . . . .40
Formal Efforts toward Reconciliation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Procedure of a Dispute Resolution Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Reconsideration of a Dispute Resolution Panel Decision . . . . . . .43
Congregation’s Right of Self-Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
District Reconcilers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Special Considerations for Reconcilers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Hearing Facilitators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Dispute Resolution Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Appeal Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Review Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Disqualification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Rules of Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
2. MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
2.1 Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
2.2 Eligibility of Congregations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
2.3 Application by Congregations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
2.4 Continued Eligibility of Congregations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
2.5 Calling Ministers of Religion by Congregations . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
2.6 Individual Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
2.7 Eligibility for Individual Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
2.8 Qualification for First Call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
2.9 Assignment of First Calls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
2.10 Ordination, Commissioning, and Initial Installation . . . . . . . . .54
Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Rites of Ordination or Commissioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Forms and Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
2.11 Continued Eligibility of Individual Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Active Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Inactive Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Emeritus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Candidate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Non-Candidate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
2.12 District Membership and Ecclesiastical Supervision . . . . . . . . .57
2.13 Membership Status and Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Specific Ministry Pastor Status and Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Restricted Status and Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Removal of Restricted Status and Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Suspended Status and Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
2.14 Expulsion of Congregations or Individuals from Membership . .62
Preamble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Definition of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Consultation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Commencing an Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Referral Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Commencing Formal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Hearing Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Final Hearing Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
General Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
2.15 Expulsion of a District President or Officer from Membership . . .71
Definition of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Consultation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Commencing an Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Referral Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Commencing Formal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Hearing Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Final Hearing Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
General Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
2.16 Expulsion of a President of the Synod from Membership . . . . . .77
Definition of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Consultation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78
Commencing an Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Referral Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Commencing Formal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Hearing Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Final Hearing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Decision by Congregations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
General Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
2.17 Expulsion of Individuals for Sexual Misconduct or Criminal
Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Definition of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Consultation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Commencing an Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Referral Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85
Commencing Formal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Hearing Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Final Hearing Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
General Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
2.18 Reinstatement of Individuals into Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
3. NATIONALORGANIZATIONANDRESPONSIBILITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
3.1 National Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
Voting Delegates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Nonvoting Advisory Delegates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Other Advisory Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Responsibilities of Advisory Delegates and Representatives. . . . . . .93
Reports and Overtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Overtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Convention Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Pre-Convention Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Convention Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Convention Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Special Sessions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
3.2 Elected or Appointed Officers, Boards, and Commissions . . . . . . . .98
Officers Elected by the Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98
Commissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Terms of Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Vacancies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
3.3 Elected Officers of the Synod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Powers and Duties—Ecclesiastical . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
Powers and Duties—Administrative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Powers and Duties—Ecclesiastical and Administrative . . . .103
Inability to Serve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Vice-Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104
Vice-President–Finance—Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106
3.4 Appointed Officers of the Synod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Chief Administrative Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
3.5 Administrative Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
3.6 Synodwide Corporate Entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
General Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Concordia Historical Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Concordia Publishing House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114
The Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod . . . . .115
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Foundation . . . . . . . .117
Concordia University System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
3.7 Synodwide Trust Entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
The Concordia Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
3.8 Program and Service Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Board for Pastoral Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Admission to the Pastoral Ministry by Colloquy . . . . . . . . .123
Boards of Regents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Faculties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132
Board for University Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Admission to the Commissioned Ministry by Colloquy . . . .142
Colloquy Committee for Commissioned Ministry . . . . . .143
Application and Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144
Teacher Colloquy Admission and Curriculum . . . . . . . .146
Director of Christian Education Colloquy Admission
and Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Director of Christian Outreach Colloquy Admission
and Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Deaconess Colloquy Admission and Curriculum . . . . . .146
Lay Ministry Colloquy Admission and Curriculum. . .146
Director of Parish Music Colloquy Admission and
Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Director of Family Life Ministry Colloquy Admission
and Curriculum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Boards of Regents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Faculties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Board for Black Ministry Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Board for Communication Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Board for District and Congregational Services . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Board for Human Care Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Board for Mission Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
3.9 Commissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Commission on Constitutional Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
Commission on Doctrinal Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Appeals Prior to Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170
Appeals Following Publication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support . . . . . . . . . . .172
Commission on Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Commission on Theology and Church Relations . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Fraternal and Other Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Commission on Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
3.10 Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Council of Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
3.11 Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
3.12 Nominations and Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
President and Vice-Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
Vice-President–Finance—Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181
Committee for Convention Nominations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182
Committee on Elections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184
4. DISTRICTORGANIZATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
4.1 Governing Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
4.2 District Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187
4.3 District Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188
4.4 District Presidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
4.5 District Boards of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191
4.6 District Committees or Boards for Stewardship . . . . . . . . . . . .192
4.7 District Nominations, Elections, and Appointments . . . . . . . . .192
4.8 Official District Conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193
4.9 Other District Meetings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
5. CIRCUITORGANIZATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
5.1 Visitation Circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
5.2 Circuit Counselors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194
5.3 Circuit Forums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197
5.4 Circuit Convocations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
6. AUXILIARYANDRECOGNIZEDSERVICEORGANIZATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . .198
6.1 Auxiliaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .198
6.2 Recognized Service Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200
7. AMENDMENTSTOBYLAWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201
A I
RTICLES OF NCORPORATION
T L C
OF HE UTHERAN HURCH
M S
ISSOURI YNOD
ARTICLEI NAME, DURATION, REGISTEREDOFFICE,
ANDAGENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
ARTICLEII OBJECTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
ARTICLEIII MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202
ARTICLEIV MEETINGS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
ARTICLEV OFFICERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
ARTICLEVI PROPERTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203
ARTICLEVII BYLAWS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
ARTICLEVIII AMENDMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Foreword
The recent major revision of the Handbook of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, authorized by the 1998 convention and approved by the 2004
convention, has by all accounts served the Synod well during its first trienni-
um. There have been few concerns expressed and only a few editorial correc-
tions noted despite the sweeping reorganization of the Handbook that was
done. Those editorial corrections are in place in this 2007 version of the
Handbook.
But change is a fact of life, and this is also true for the “covenants of love”
that our Synod’s members make with each other, which is why a new edition
of this Handbookis published after every convention. Although the 2007 con-
vention made no changes to the Constitution and made only a minor change
to the Articles of Incorporation, a number of the 76 resolutions that were
adopted did include bylaw changes.
Some of those changes were sweeping, as were the major revisions of
Bylaw sections 1.5 (Regulations for Corporate Synod and Agencies of the
Synod) and 1.9 (Doctrinal Review). Other changes were far less sweeping but
equally significant, such as the additions made to Bylaw 3.2.5 (appointments
to fill vacancies) and Bylaw 3.9.2.2 (responsibilities of Commission on
Constitutional Matters). Other resolutions added new bylaw provisions for
the conduct of special conventions of the Synod, strengthened boards of
regents of Synod schools, clarified Board of Director responsibilities over
against program boards, commissions, and councils, and initiated a new
Specific Ministry Pastor Program in our Synod (provisions that will become
an important part of the life of our Synod in years to come).
All that our Synod does with its Handbook, however, is of relatively lit-
tle importance until placed within its proper context, which was also the
theme of our 2007 convention: “One Message—Christ!” Under this theme
even the smallest bylaw change becomes immediately and immensely impor-
tant, for it has everything to do with the very purpose for the existence of the
Church on earth and for our forming a synod in particular. Our Synod’s mis-
sion statement continues to say it so well:
In grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the
Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to
make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our
churches, communities, and world.
The Commission on Constitutional Matters presents this 2007 edition of
the Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to the Synod with
changes in place and with the heartfelt prayer that this collection of our
covenants of love will serve our Synod well during the next triennium and will
assist us not only in our walk together but also in our work together, the good
work of proclaiming the all-important “One Message—Christ!”
Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary
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