LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 328

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328

OPINIONS OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
9.1.1 A chairman, who shall conduct the meetings of the
voters assembly,…
9.1.2 A vice-chairman, who shall serve in the chairman’s
absence or inability to act,…
9.1.3 A secretary, who shall keep the minutes of the voters’
meetings,…
9.1.4 A treasurer, who shall be responsible for the financial
records of the congregation,…
9.1.5 A financial secretary, who shall be responsible for the
receipt of all contributions and shall deposit the same in
an account established in the name of the congregation.
The boards of this congregation shall be:
9.2.1 A board of elders, consisting of…, which shall assist the
pastor in the spiritual life of the congregation.
9.2.2 A board of trustees, consisting of…, which shall
be responsible for the physical properties of the
congregation.
9.2.3 A board for Christian education, consisting of…, which
shall be responsible for the nurture and Christian growth
of the members of the congregation.
9.2.4 A board for evangelism, consisting of…, which shall
lead the members of the congregation in outreach into
the community.
9.2.5 A board for stewardship, consisting of…, which shall
be charged with the teaching and promoting proper
stewardship of time, talents, and treasures.
9.2.6 ...
Any officer or board member who fails to carry out his or her
duties of office or who fails to perform the responsibilities
of confirmed membership (see paragraph 5.3 above) may be
removed from office by the voters assembly by a two-thirds
majority ballot vote, in Christian and lawful order. Matthew 18
should be followed under such circumstances.”

9.2

9.3

—or —
Example:
“This congregation shall have the following officers, board, and
committees in addition to any which the congregation shall establish
from time to time.
9.1
The voters assembly shall elect a president, a vice-president, a
secretary, and a treasurer, who shall be the officers of the congregation. The voters assembly shall also elect three other voting members, who with the four officers and the senior pastor
shall comprise the board of directors of the congregation. [The
pastor may be a non-voting, ex officio member of the board.]
The nomination and election of officers and board members
shall be as specified in this constitution and accompanying bylaws.
9.2
The board of directors shall have the authority to develop and
implement policies, procedures, and ministries as necessary to
execute the vision and plans approved by the voters assembly.
9.3
The officers of the congregation shall serve as the executive
committee of the board of directors.
9.4
This congregation shall have such committees as are necessary
to assist the called workers, elected leaders, and members of
the congregation in carrying out its mission and ministry. Committees of the congregation may include the following.
9.4.1 A shepherding committee to assist and support the work
of the pastor, consisting of…
9.4.2 An education committee to assist and support the work
of the teaching staff of the congregation, consisting of…
9.4.3 A stewardship committee to carry on an on-going
stewardship program for the congregation, consisting
of…
9.4.4 An evangelism and outreach committee to assist
the congregation in carrying out the mission of the
congregation, consisting of…
9.4.5 An annually convened nominating committee consisting
of…
9.4.6 A long range planning committee consisting of at
least…
9.4.7 A call committee, convened as necessary, consisting

2013 Convention Workbook

of…
Such other committees as are necessary to assist
the called workers, elected leaders, and members of the
congregation in carrying out its mission and ministry.
9.5 Any officer or board or committee member who fails
to perform the duties of office or the responsibilities of
confirmed membership may be removed from office by
the voters assembly by a two-thirds majority ballot vote,
in Christian and lawful order. Matthew 18 should be
followed under such circumstances.”
9.4.8

10.0 DIVISION
It is an unhappy fact of life that disagreements occur in Christian
congregations, and that at times the end result is not reconciliation but
a parting of the ways. It is best to set down the principles far in advance
that will govern such a situation if it should occur. Congregations should
consult with local and state laws when making decision regarding disposal of properties. While the following example suggests reversion of
properties to the district, the congregation is at liberty to determine the
recipients of its properties.
Example:
“If at any time a division of the congregation should take place for
any reason, the following principles will govern.
10.1 The property of the congregation and all benefits
connected therewith shall remain with those communicant
members who continue to adhere in confession and
practice to the confessional standards set forth in this
constitution.
10.2 In the event that the congregation dissolves, all property
shall be disposed of by the final voters assembly for
the payment of debts and all just claims against the
congregation, and any and all surplus and all rights
connected therewith shall be conveyed to and become
the property of the __________ District of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod.”
11.0 AMENDMENTS
Constitutions should provide a method for their own amendment.
A device called an “unalterable article” has been used in the past, but
legally there are no unalterable articles. There can be, however, articles
in congregations’ constitutions that are more difficult to amend. Congregations may therefore wish to provide for two separate procedures for
amending.
Congregations which revise their constitutions must submit these
proposed changes for review by their district’s constitution committee.
Upon favorable action by the district board of directors, the congregation
shall be notified that the changes are acceptable to the Synod, and the
congregation may proceed with formal adoption of the revised constitution and remain a member in good standing of the Synod.
Example:
“This constitution may be amended in the following manner.
11.1 Amendments to the provisions of this constitution not
identified in the following paragraph shall be submitted
in writing at a meeting of the voters assembly and
announced to the congregation by public posting and/or
mail to all communicant members prior to the meeting
at which the proposed amendment will be acted upon. A
two-thirds affirmative vote of the voters present shall be
required for adoption.
11.2 Amendments to Articles __________ shall not destroy
their essential meaning. Amendments shall be submitted
in writing at a meeting of the voters assembly and made
public to the congregation by public posting and/or by mail
to all communicant members. Notice of the discussion of
such amendments shall be given prior to two regular voters
assemblies when the proposed action will be discussed.
Notice that action will be taken on proposed amendments
shall be provided to all voting members prior to the
meeting when a vote will be taken. The date of approval