LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 2–4, 2012, Page 17

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Congregations, the basic units of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, join together to form the Synod and
relate to one another through it (Bylaw 1.3.1) 3. Together they establish the requirements of membership in the
Synod (Constitution Art. VI) 4. Thus, while congregations of the Synod are self-governing (Art. VII), they
commit themselves to fulfill not only membership requirements but to act in accordance with the entire
Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod, under which they have agreed to live and work and which the
congregations alone have the authority to amend through conventions (Bylaws 1.3.4 and 1.3.4.1) 5.
In order to assist congregations in the development and preparation of their constitutions and bylaws by the
inclusion of the requirements necessary for membership in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, the
Commission on Constitutional Matters has from time to time issued guidelines for the preparation and review of
such documents. This sixth revised edition of the guidelines has been prompted by recurring questions and
issues raised by district constitution committees and by recent convention actions.
The Holy Scriptures do not prescribe a form of polity for a local congregation. Congregations are free to
structure themselves in such manner that they believe will be most effective for carrying out the Great
Commission of our Lord in a manner that is in harmony with Holy Scripture, the Confessions, and the teachings
and practices of the Synod. In determining a congregation’s polity, much will depend upon its size, ethnic
background, sociological setting—whether rural, urban, or suburban—and other pertinent factors.
Because of its unique needs or setting, a congregation may decide to consider alternate forms of organization.
However, in those cases in which a congregation decides to adopt a different type of organization than that
described in the following guidelines, the topics that are referenced should still be given serious consideration.

INDEX
I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES……………………………………………………………………………..
II. FORMAT OF THESE GUIDELINES………………………………………………………………..

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“Individual Christians are joined together in a worshiping and serving community, the congregation. Congregations, the basic
units of the Synod, have joined together to form the Synod and relate to one another through it” (Bylaw 1.3.1).
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“Conditions for acquiring and holding membership in the Synod are the following:
1. Acceptance of the confessional basis of Article II.
2. Renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description, such as:
a. Serving congregations of mixed confession, as such, by ministers of the church;
b. Taking part in the services and sacramental rites of heterodox congregations or of congregations of mixed confession.
c. Participating in heterodox tract and missionary activities.
3. Regular call of pastors, teachers, directors of Christian education, directors of Christian outreach, directors of family life
ministry, directors of parish music, deaconesses, certified lay ministers, and parish assistants and regular election of lay
delegates by the congregations, as also the blamelessness of the life of such.
4. Exclusive use of doctrinally pure agenda, hymnbooks, and catechisms in church and school.
5. A congregation shall be received into membership only after the Synod has convinced itself that the constitution of the
congregation, which must be submitted for examination, contains nothing contrary to the Scriptures or the Confessions.
6. Pastors, teachers, directors of Christian education, directors of Christian outreach, directors of family life ministry,
directors of parish music, deaconesses, certified lay ministers, or candidates for these offices not coming from recognized
orthodox church bodies must submit to a colloquium before being received.
7. Congregations and individuals shall be received into membership at such time and manner, and according to such
procedures, as shall be set forth in the Bylaws to this Constitution” (Constitution, Art. VI).
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“Congregations together establish the requirements of membership in the Synod Constitution, Art. VI). In joining the Synod,
congregations and other members obligate themselves to fulfill such requirements and to diligently and earnestly promote the
purposes of the Synod by word and deed. Members agree to uphold the confessional position of the Synod (Constitution, Art. II)
and to assist in carrying out the objectives of the Synod (Constitution, Art. III), which are the objectives of the members
themselves. Thus, while congregations of the Synod are self-governing (Constitution, Art. VII), they, and also individual
members, commit themselves as members of the Synod to act in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod
under which they have agreed to live and work together and which the congregations alone have the authority to adopt or amend
through conventions” (Bylaws 1.3.4 & 1.3.4.1).

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