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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 177

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

I. OPINIONS OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Resolved, That all references to non-candidate
status be removed from the Bylaws (Bylaws
2.11.2.3, et al); and be it further
Resolved, That with the adoption of this resolution all current candidates and non-candidates
be granted candidate status, effective immediately; and be it further
Resolved, That candidate status will be for a period of ten years, and may be renewed for a fiveyear period upon the recommendation of the
applicant’s district president and the approval
of three-fourths (75 percent) of the Council of
Presidents; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook
make all necessary Bylaw changes consistent
with this resolution.
In removing non-candidate status (striking Bylaw 2.11.2.3),
originally intended for those “eligible to perform the duties of
any of the offices of ministry … but who is not currently an
active member or an emeritus member and who chooses not to
be a candidate member,” the convention transferred such members to candidate status. The terms of candidate status and its
extension have also been adjusted (requiring the Commission
on Handbook to make changes to Bylaw 2.11.2.2 [a]), and all
candidates and former non-candidates have been granted a new
candidate status, for a term of ten years, effective July 13, 2016.
Candidate status, however, comes with criteria “for determining whether candidate status should be granted or continued” on an annual basis, see Bylaw 2.11.2.2 [b–c]. Included
among the criteria is “a demonstrated willingness to consider a
call or appointment to any of the offices of ministry …” Previously, those on candidate status “choosing not to be a candidate
member” could be counseled to apply for non-candidate status.
That option is no longer available.
It does not seem the intention of the convention was to
transfer members from non-candidate to candidate status, only
to have them removed entirely from the roster because they do
not wish, at the time, to consider calls, and there is no more
non-candidate status for them to resort to. The convention’s action bestows renewed candidacy upon members whose time of
candidacy ran out, who then sought to extend their membership
through non-candidate status, but who the whole time sought a
call. The convention’s action also bestows candidacy upon those
who were properly (by election and not by the clock of Bylaw
2.11.2.2 [a] running out) non-candidates. The following question
arises from the change in status of those members:
Question: What impact does 2016 Res. 12-03 have on the
text and application of Bylaw 2.11.2.2, including
especially its subparts (b) and (c), and especially
with regard to those now placed on candidate status who, for whatever reason, are temporarily not
demonstrably willing to consider a call or appointment to any of the offices of ministry specified in
Bylaw section 2.11?
Answer: Though the action of the Synod in the 2013 Convention removed non-candidate status as a category of inactive
membership, it did not alter the other portions of this bylaw
as it related to qualifying for inclusion in candidate status.
The effect of the 2016 Convention’s action essentially deleted

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the category of non-candidate status and moved the individuals then contained in that category into the candidate status.
Instead of there being three categories of membership for inactive members (emeritus, candidate and non-candidate), there
are now only two categories of inactive membership (emeritus
and candidate)—a return to the situation prior to June 1,
2000.1 The qualifications for being in either category have not
changed:
Emeritus
2.11.2.1
An “emeritus” member is one whose
membership is held for retention on the roster upon
retirement after reaching the age of 55 or for reasons
of total and permanent disability. Any unusual case
shall be decided by the Council of Presidents if the
appropriate district president so requests.
(a) The emeritus member or a representative identified by his district president shall, by January
31, make an annual report to the member’s
district president.
(b) This report shall include current contact information and address the criteria for remaining
an inactive member of the Synod.
Candidate
2.11.2.2
A “candidate” member is one who is eligible
to perform the duties of any of the offices of ministry
specified in Bylaw section 2.11 but who is not currently an active member or an emeritus member.
(a) A candidate may be continued on the roster
for a period not to exceed ten years by act of
the president of the district through which
the person holds membership. A candidate
may be further continued on the roster for a
period not to exceed five additional years upon
recommendation of the applicant’s district
president and approval of three-fourths (75
percent) of the Council of Presidents.
(b) The candidate shall, by January 31, make an
annual report to the district president who
shall evaluate the member’s eligibility for
remaining on candidate status. The candidate’s
report shall include current contact information and address the criteria for remaining on
candidate status.
(c) Among criteria for determining whether candidate status should be granted or continued are:
(1) The health of the applicant;
(2) A spirit of cooperation in any efforts
to address any unresolved issues involving fitness for ministry;
(3) The extent of current involvement
on a part-time and assisting basis in his/
her respective ministry; and
(4) A demonstrated willingness to consider a call or appointment to any of the
offices of ministry specified in Bylaw section 2.11.
2019 Convention Workbook