LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 15–16, 2007, Page 6

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19. Application of “Guidelines for Constitutions and Bylaws of Lutheran Congregations” (07-2512)
In a letter received October 18, 2007, a member of the Synod asked a series of questions regarding
application of the commission’s “Guidelines for Constitutions and Bylaws of Lutheran Congregations,”
specifically paragraphs 4.0 and 12.3:
4.0 Synod Membership
Although not essential since membership in the Synod is not determined by a statement
in a congregation’s constitution, congregations are advised to designate their membership
in the Synod.
Example:
This congregation shall be a member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as
long as the Synod conforms to the congregation’s confessional standards as set forth
in this constitution.
12.3 The revised constitution shall, as a condition of continued membership 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 implemented by the congregation.
Question 1: If a congregation included the above two sections in its constitution, could it terminate its
membership in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod without the consent of the district’s
constitution committee and the district’s board of directors?
Opinion: The answer to this question is “yes.” The congregation’s decision to terminate its membership in
the Synod, which would necessarily include the changing of its bylaws to remove the two paragraphs in
question, would render moot the Synod’s requirements for membership, including its requirement that
constitution and bylaw changes first be submitted for review and approval.
Question 2:

If the answer to question 1 is “no,” does this change the voluntary nature of the Synod and
can a congregation be required to include it in their constitution by the district?

Opinion: The answer to question 1 was “yes.”
Question 3:

My district committee that reviews constitutions has made the following request before
approving our congregation’s Constitution and Bylaws:
Constitution, Article XII
(Please add.) C. Review
Any amendments to the constitution must be submitted to the NID Polity Commission for
review, and then to the NID Board of Directors for approval. Amendments are not to be
placed into practice in the congregation until they are reviewed and approved by the
district.
Bylaws, Article XII
(Please add.) Any amendments to the bylaws must be submitted to the NID Polity
Commission for review, and then to the NID Board of Directors for approval. Amendments
are not to be placed into practice until they are reviewed and approved by the district.

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