LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 10–11, 2015, Page 3

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B. All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated
statement and exposition of the Word of God as contained in the Book of Concord of 1580.”
IV. SYNOD MEMBERSHIP
[Although not an essential paragraph, since membership in the Synod is not determined by a statement in a
congregation’s constitution, congregations may wish to include mention of their membership in the Synod.]
Example:

“This congregation shall be a member congregation of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) as
long as the confession of faith and constitution of the Synod remain in accord with the congregation’s
confessional standard as set forth in Article III of this constitution.”
V. MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION
[Synod congregations often distinguish between three types of congregational membership: baptized,
confirmed, and voting. These three categories require definition here or in bylaws.]
Example:

“The membership of this congregation is comprised of the three categories of members defined in the
bylaws of this congregation: baptized members, confirmed members, and voting members.”
VI. CALLED CHURCH WORKERS
[This article establishes the congregation’s right to call its ordained and commissioned ministers, what
persons are eligible to receive its calls, how such ministers may be removed from office, and how vacancies
in called positions are to be handled.2]
Example:

“The voters assembly of this congregation (as defined in the bylaws of this constitution) shall have the
exclusive right to call ordained ministers who are members of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or
who have satisfied the requirements for assignment of first calls within the Synod, or ordained members in
good standing of church bodies in altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod. It may also call
commissioned ministers who are members of the Synod. In every case, it shall obtain counsel from the
president of the congregation’s district.
“Called ordained or commissioned ministers may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the voters
assembly for one of the following reasons: persistent adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, willful
neglect of duties, the inability to perform those duties, or domineering in office.”
VII. AUTHORITY OF AND WITHIN THE CONGREGATION
[It is wise to include in the constitution an article that provides clarity regarding the extent of the authority
of and within a congregation. Unique circumstances such as ethnic or cultural differences may be reflected
in terminology used and the manner in which decisions are made.]
Example:

“The voters assembly, as defined in this congregation’s bylaws, shall be its governing body and shall be
empowered to call its ordained and commissioned ministers, elect its officers, and administer and manage
its affairs as specified in the bylaws. Only the voters assembly may encumber, purchase, or sell real
property, including buildings; adopt the annual budget of the congregation; incur non-budgeted
(emergency) expenses; and dissolve the congregation or terminate its membership in The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod.”
VIII. MEETINGS
[Constitutions of congregations should establish how the meetings of the voters assembly will be called and
how a quorum will be determined. Not requiring a specific number or percentage of voting members to be
present permits a meeting to be valid so long as it has been properly called.]
CCM Minutes – July 10–11, 2015 – Page 87