LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 10–11, 2015, Page 4

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Example:

“Meetings of the voters assembly may be called at the request of the pastor, the congregation’s officers, or
ten members of the voters assembly. Such meetings shall be announced at worship services each of the two
weeks prior, with efforts made to notify all voting members. The voting members present at a properly
called meeting shall constitute a quorum. In addition to principles laid down in the Holy Scriptures and in
the constitution and bylaws of this congregation, basic parliamentary procedures shall be followed.”
IX. OFFICERS AND BOARDS
[Congregations are at liberty to determine their own organizational structures consistent with local and
state requirements for not-for-profit corporations. Constitutions should establish only those offices, boards,
and committees that form the essential framework of the congregation. In accordance with the teachings
and practice of the LCMS, women are not to be placed in offices that will call upon them to carry out
specific functions of the pastoral ministry. In addition, the Synod encourages every congregation to include
in its organizational structure a board or committee for stewardship.3]
Example:

“This congregation shall have such officers and boards as provided in its bylaws, in addition to any that the
congregation shall establish from time to time.”
X. DIVISION
[Disagreements occur in Christian congregations, at times resulting in a parting of the ways. It is
important to set down principles in advance to govern such a situation.]
Example:

“If at any time division shall take place within this congregation, efforts shall be made to resolve
differences in a God-pleasing manner. If division into factions occurs, the counsel of the district president
shall be sought to determine which group shall retain the property.”
XI. AMENDMENTS TO THIS CONSTITUTION
[Constitutions must provide a method for their amendment. Certain articles can be made more difficult to
amend by providing two separate procedures. All revisions must be submitted to the president of the district
for review by the district constitution committee and approval by the district board of directors before their
final adoption by the congregation.]
Example:
“This constitution may be amended in a properly convened meeting of the voters assembly in the following

manner.
A. Ordinarily, amendments to the provisions of this constitution shall be submitted in writing for public
posting two weeks prior to the two consecutive meetings at which the proposed amendments will be
discussed. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the voters present shall be required to continue to
amendment process.
B. Amendments to Articles _____ shall not alter their essential meaning. Notice of discussion of these
amendments shall be given to all members prior to the two voters assemblies when the proposed
action will be discussed. A two-thirds affirmative vote of the voters present at these meetings shall be
required on both occasions to continue the amendment process.
C. All revisions shall 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 prior to final adoption by the
congregation by a two-thirds affirmative vote.”

GUIDELINES FOR BYLAWS
The following are subjects that ordinarily are addressed in a congregation’s bylaws. For additional
subjects that may be addressed as needed, see the document “Guidelines for Constitutions and Bylaws

CCM Minutes – July 10–11, 2015 – Page 88