LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 3-4, 2011, Page 34

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I. General Principles for Bylaw Section 2.15
A. The Synod has identified certain standards that must be met for continued membership.
Furthermore, it has identified those responsible for the ecclesiastical supervision of its members,
including such matters as provision of advice and counsel as well as suspension from membership
for failure to continue to meet membership requirements (cf. Bylaws 1.2.1 [g] and 2.1.1–2.1.2).
B. Ecclesiastical supervisors, parties to the matter, and members of panels shall be governed in all
their actions by the Holy Scriptures; the Lutheran Confessions; the Constitution, Bylaws, and
resolutions of the Synod; and the procedures provided in this Standard Operating Procedures
Manual (Bylaw 2.15.9.3).
C. According to provisions and procedures set forth in Article VIII of the Constitution and Chapter 1
of the Bylaws, the self-governing congregations of the Synod state in convention resolutions their
collective understanding and application of the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions
(Constitution, Art. II) and the conditions of membership (Art. VI). These resolutions help to
determine whether an act is contrary to Articles II and VI (cf. Art. XIII).
D. The procedures of Bylaw section 2.15 (among other bylaws) and this Standard Operating
Procedures Manual provide the means to carry out Article XIII 1 of the Constitution as well as the
Synod’s objectives as set forth in Article III, especially paragraphs 1, 8, and 9 2. Bylaw section
2.15 and this manual must be understood within the entire context of and subordinate to the
Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws.
E. With the exception of Bylaw Section 2.17, only a member of the Synod can bring a formal
complaint or accusation that could lead to expulsion of a member from the Synod. In the case of
Bylaw section 2.15, a concerned lay member of a member congregation can make use of the
constitutional provisions of his/her congregation or visit/consult with the circuit counselor and/or
district president.
F. Matthew 18 and the Eighth Commandment provide the foundation for this Bylaw section 2.15
process governing expulsion of members from the Synod. While Matthew 18 provides the
procedure for church discipline in a local congregation, it, along with the Eighth Commandment

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“1. Members who act contrary to the confession laid down in Article II and to the conditions of membership laid down in Article VI
or persist in an offensive conduct, shall, after previous futile admonition, be expelled from the Synod.
2. Expulsion shall be executed only after following such procedure as shall be set forth in the Bylaws of the Synod.
3. If the member expelled is a pastor or teacher in a congregation of the Synod, such congregation, unless it has already done so,
is held to depose him from office and to deal with him in accordance with the Word of God, notwithstanding an appeal. If it
persistently refuses to do so, the respective District is to deal with it. If all negotiations and admonitions fail of their purpose, such
congregation forfeits its membership in the Synod.
4. Because of their expulsion those so expelled forfeit their membership and all share in the property of the Synod. The latter
holds good also with respect to those who for any reason themselves sever their connection with the Synod.” (Article XIII)

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“The Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, shall—
1. Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3–6; 1 Cor. 1:10), work through its official structure toward
fellowship with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17)
and heresy;…
8. Provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers of the Synod
in the performance of their official duties;
9. Provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and other church workers in the performance of their official
duties and the maintenance of their rights;” (Article III 1, 8−9)

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