LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 11–13, 2011, Page 16

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4.6.2

Congregations interested in expanding their Gospel outreach into an area that crosses district lines are
encouraged first to discuss their intent with their own district officials, followed by discussion with the
appropriate district officials and the local congregations impacted by such work.
(a) Any such expansion of Gospel outreach into an area that crosses district lines shall require the
concurrence of both the president of the receiving geographical district and the board or committee
responsible for mission in that district.
(b) The ecclesiastical supervision of a new church start, satellite worship site, or any ministry
established by a congregation in another district shall be decided by the affected district presidents.

The Synod contains two non-geographic districts, the English District and the SELC District. There are
no geographic limitations on the mission work which each undertakes, and any domestic mission of such
districts will occur in the geographic area of another district. Even in this case, non-geographic districts
are encouraged to consult with other districts.
With respect to the remaining districts (all defined by the Synod on a geographic basis), while there is no
express limitation on one district calling a missionary to serve in a different district, it would be
inconsistent with the concept that a district is the Synod in that place for one district to call a missionary
to serve the people of a different district and different place. While there may be instances where a
mission outreach effort in one district has crossover impact into another district, the very organizational
structure of the Synod contemplates that each district will operate in its own geographical area.
76. Review of Missouri District Bylaws (11-2608)
With an email dated August 10, 2011, the secretary of the Missouri District submitted his district’s
Bylaws and proposed amendments to the commission for review and approval. After careful review, the
commission offers the following recommendations for additional change, using the line numbers provided
with the submitted document:
•
•
•
•
•
•

Line 11: The words “this constitution” should be changed to “these Bylaws” to recognize that the
Constitution of the Synod is the constitution of its districts, leaving districts to develop bylaws to
make application of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod according to their specific needs.
Lines 77–80: This paragraph will need to be changed to reflect the requirement of Synod Bylaw
4.3.1 that nominations for these offices may be from the entire clergy roster of the Synod.
Line 255: The intention of this provision needs to be clarified.
Line 279: Reference to the district’s “work program” appears to be antiquated language, as
compared with Synod Bylaw 4.5.1 (c)—which, for the record, should reference Bylaw 3.3.4ff,
not 3.3.5ff (error in 2010 Handbook).
Line 310: The reference to Synod Bylaw 4.4 should also include reference to Synod Constitution
Article XII.
Line 366: Circuit counselors may appoint assistants, but approval by the district president should
also be mentioned (Synod Bylaw 5.2.1 [c]).

Resolved, That congregations interested in expanding their Gospel outreach into an area that crosses district lines be
encouraged to discuss their intent first with their own district officials, followed by the appropriate district officials and the
local congregations impacted by such work; and be if further
Resolved, That any such expansion of Gospel outreach across district lines shall require the concurrence of both the
president of the receiving geographical district and the board or committee responsible for mission in that district; and be it
finally
Resolved, That the ecclesiastical supervision of a new church start, satellite worship site, or any ministry established by
a congregation in another district shall be decided by the affected district presidents.

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