# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S729
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 145

t be settled in this manner, the first congregation shall file
laint against the action of the second congregation with the
dent of its District. This President shall then notify the
dent of the other District, and the two Presidents shall attempt
settle the case. If their administrative efforts do not produce
“desired results, they shall refer the case to the President of
od, who shall attempt to settle the case. After all administrative
rts have been exhausted, the President of Synod shall refer the
o Synod’s Board of Appeals.

7. Appellate Jurisdiction
a. The appellate jurisdiction of District Boards of Appeals shall
ver cases of church discipline but shall not attach until all ad-
‘ministrative efforts to settle the case have been exhausted,
 b, The Districts may assign other appellate cases to their Board
of Appeals, but this shall not establish a precedent.
ce. The appellate jurisdiction of Synod’s Board of Appeals shall

wer such cases of church discipline, membership in Synod, and
eligibility for service in the Church as have been decided by
a District of Synod, if an appeal is taken to Synod.

d. The assignment by Synod of other cases to Synod’s Board
of Appeals, but this shall not establish a precedent.
"  e. If an appeal in a matter of church discipline by a congrega-
tion is in question, the Boards of Appeals shall recognize the
sovereignty of the Christian congregation and may only review
the action of the congregation according to the principles laid down
in Scripture and advise the congregation accordingly. Either the
~congregation’s action will be upheld, or it may be advised to review
and eventually to revise its action. If the case is appealed and
~ Synod’s Board of Appeals decides that a person has been improperly
excommunicated and the congregation does not revise its action,
the congregations of Synod shall not be required to respect such
an excommunication. The District shall take such action towards
the congregation as it may deem necessary.

f. In cases of excommunication, unanimity in the Board of
' Appeals is required as far as the judgment is concerned, while there
may be disagreement as to procedure on the part of the congrega~
tion. In other cases a majority is sufficient.

8. Action of Conventions
a. The judgments of the District Board of Appeals in all matters
may be appealed to the next convention of the District. The
Opinion of the Board of Appeals in such cases shall form the basis
of discussion. The District shall either affirm, modify, or reverse
the judgment of the District Board of Appeals.
Reports and Memorials 10