LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 194

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regions, should be ratified by district conventions in the same manner as is the case with circuit counselor elections. While Bylaw 4.7.1
allows districts to adopt their own nomination and election regulations, it is silent regarding regional elections. In keeping with
the principle that final determinations in elections to all district
positions rightly belong to the district convention, the Commission on Handbook proposes the following amendments to Bylaws
4.7.1–4.7.3.

ture, the Confessions, and the teachings and practices
of the Synod.
(c) Upon advice of the constitution committee and
recommendation by the district president, the district
board of directors shall determine if the changes are
acceptable to the Synod.
(d) Upon favorable action by the district board of
directors, the congregation shall be notified that the
changes are acceptable to the Synod, and that the congregation may proceed with formal adoption of the
revised constitution and/or bylaws, and remain is
entitled to continue to function as a member of the
Synod in good standing of the Synodunder the new
or changed constitution or bylaws.
(e) Upon formal adoption of the revised constitution and/or bylaws, the congregation shall provide to
the district a dated copy of the action taken accompanied by a copy of the dated revised constitution
and bylaws.

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
4.7.1	Each district may adopt regulations for the nomination and election of its president; the nomination,
selection, election, and ranking, of its vice-presidents; and the 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 these provisions do not conflict
with the Bylaws of the Synod.
4.7.2

A nominating committee of each district shall be
elected by the district convention. Nominating committees may not be employed in the election of the
president, and vice-presidents, and regional board of
director positions.

4.7.3

A majority of all votes cast by a district convention shall be required in every election to all elective
offices and elective board positions. …

(E) Revision of Congregations’ Constitutions and Bylaws
(Bylaw 2.4.1)
Rationale
Confusion exists regarding the implementation of Bylaw 2.4.1
(d) after congregations have submitted their constitutions and
bylaws to district constitution committees for review. Some congregations formally adopt new or revised documents before receiving
approval by the district board of directors, while others only do so
after receiving approval. Still others adopt new or revised documents with the understanding that they will not be effective until
approval is received from the district board of directors. The Commission on Handbook proposes the following bylaw changes to
provide clarification and consistency of practice.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
2.4.1

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(f) Until a congregation formally adopts a revised
constitution and/or bylaws using this process, the
Synod shall consider the existing constitution and
bylaws to be in effect for all purposes.
(F) District Stewardship Board/Committee Requirement
(Bylaw 4.6.1)
Rationale
As a result of structural changes adopted by the 2010 convention, the Synod Bylaw 4.6 requirement that each district must elect
or appoint a committee or board for stewardship to relate to the
Synod’s “Department of Stewardship” begs attention, there no longer being such a department on the Synod level and very likely no
longer such boards or committees in some districts. At the same
time, it is beneficial for the Synod and its districts to continue their
interest and cooperation in the development and promotion of
stewardship programs on the district level. The Commission on
Handbook proposes the following amendments to Synod Bylaw
4.6.1 to advocate the continuance of such a presence on the district level.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
4.6 District Committees or Boards forStewardship
Promotion

A congregation desiring to retain membership in The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod shall continue
to have a constitution and bylaws approved by the
Synod.

4.6.1	Each district shall elect or appoint a committee, or
board, or individual responsible for stewardship.

(a) A member congregation which desires to revises
its constitution and/or bylaws or adopts a new constitution or bylaws shall, as a condition toof continued
eligibility as a member of the Synod, submit sucha
proposed, revised or new constitution and/or revised
bylaws to the district president.
(b) The district president shall refer such to the district’s constitution committee for review, to ascertain
that the provisions are in harmony with Holy Scrip-

(a) This committee, board, or individual shall
cooperate with the Synod’s Department of Stewardshipelected or appointed person/persons responsible
for stewardship and shall assist and advise local congregations in the development and promotion of an
adequate stewardship program.
(b) Districts are advised to provide for the systematic
supervision and qualified guidance and promotion
of stewardship education, where possible establishing

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