LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 329

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OPINIONS OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
shall be referenced in any amendment adopted.
11.3 The revised constitution shall, as a condition of
continued membership in good standing in The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod, be submitted to the president
of the district for review by the district’s constitution
committee and favorable action by the district’s board of
directors before being adopted by the congregation.

IV. GUIDELINES FOR BYLAWS
The following are subjects that ordinarily can be addressed in a
congregation’s bylaws. Instructive comments are provided together
with sample paragraphs.
1.0 PROCEDURES FOR CALLING MINISTERS OF RELIGION
Congregations should be specific in setting forth in their bylaws the
procedures to be followed when calling ordained and commissioned
ministers.
Example:
“When this congregation calls a minister of religion, ordained or
commissioned, the following procedure shall be followed:
1.1 When a pastor or commissioned minister is to be
called, every member of the congregation shall be
provided opportunity to suggest one or more names for
consideration.
1.2 A call committee shall be appointed [or an existing
board or committee designated] to serve as a screening
committee and shall submit all suggested names to the
district president for information and evaluation. The
committee shall then present to the congregation by
public announcement its proposed list of candidates and
their biographical sketches.
1.3 At a voters meeting called for the purpose of calling a
new pastor or commissioned minister, the proposed list
may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the assembly.
When possible, information regarding additional
candidates shall be provided by the district president
and/or his representative at the meeting.
1.4 Ballot voting shall continue until a majority [or twothirds] vote determines the disposition of the call.”
2.0 CHURCH COUNCIL OR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Even though it is not absolutely necessary for congregations to have
a church council or board of directors, as the case may be, experience
has shown this to be beneficial. The makeup and responsibilities of this
leadership group are decided by each congregation. Two examples are
provided.
Example:
“The church council shall provide direction to the congregation on
behalf of the voters assembly.
2.1 The church council shall consist of the congregation’s
president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, financial
secretary, and the chairmen of its boards. [The pastor
may be an advisory or voting member.] The chairman
and secretary of the congregation shall also serve as the
chairman and secretary of the church council.
2.2 The church council shall meet a minimum of four times
a year. Special meetings may be called by the chairman,
the pastor, or any three members of the council by
providing notice at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.
A majority of the voting members of the council shall
constitute a quorum.
2.3 The principal duty of the church council shall be to
coordinate the program and activities of the various
departments of the congregation. It shall also have the
power to act on behalf of the congregation between
meetings of the voters assembly within limitations
established by the voters assembly, which actions shall
be reported to the next meeting of the voters assembly.”
or—

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Example:
“The officers of the congregation along with three other elected atlarge members and the administrative pastor (who shall be a non-voting
member) shall comprise the board of directors, which shall provide direction to the congregation on behalf of the voters assembly.
2.1 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. Written policies and
procedures shall be made available to voting members
upon request. The board of directors shall have no
authority beyond that which has been conferred upon it
by the constitution, its bylaws, or the voters assembly,
and authority delegated to the board of directors may at
any time be altered or revoked by the voters assembly.
The board of directors shall normally meet in regular
session at least quarterly.
2.2 The officers of the congregation shall serve as the
executive committee of the board of directors, which
shall have the authority to administer all property
belonging to the congregation, make contracts, accept
and receive grants and bequests, sign documents, appear
in court, review the constitution and bylaws, report to
the congregation when appropriate, and take other such
action as may be authorized by the church council. The
committee shall meet at least monthly.
2.3 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. These committees may be
authorized or created by staff members subject to review
by the board of directors, unless a different method of
authorization and/or membership selection is required
by action of the voters assembly. The committees shall
meet on an as needed basis.”
3.0 NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, AND TERMS OF OFFICE
Specific procedures for the nomination and election of officers and
board members should be included in the bylaws. Provisions and procedures should also be provided for the appointment of additional officers
and board members. Congregations may or may not wish to include
provisions restricting the holding of more than one office, providing
for term limits, avoiding conflicts of interest, and/or providing for or
prohibiting absentee ballots.
Example:
“The procedure for the nomination and election of elected and appointed officers and board members shall be as follows.
3.1 A nominating committee appointed by the church
council (or board of directors) shall present a slate
of candidates for each elected and appointed office.
The slate shall normally provide two names [or: one
name] for each office. In the case of elected positions,
additional nominations may be made from the floor. No
person shall be nominated without his or her consent.
3.2 A majority of the votes cast shall be required for all
elections. Candidates receiving the lowest number of
votes shall be eliminated in each succeeding ballot.
3.3 All officers shall be elected for a term of ______.
Other members of the church council and of boards and
committees shall be elected or appointed for a term of
______.
3.4 Officers and board members shall be inducted into
office in a public service of the congregation.
3.5 In case of a vacancy in an elective office, the voters
assembly shall elect [or: the church council shall
appoint] a successor to fill the unexpired term from a list
of candidates provided by the nominating committee.
Service for more than one-half of a term shall constitute
a full term.”

2013 Convention Workbook