LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 10–11, 2015, Page 5

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of Lutheran Congregations” that has been provided by the Commission on Constitutional Matters
(CCM) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).
1. BAPTIZED MEMBERSHIP
Example:
“Baptized members of this congregation are all persons who have been baptized in the name of the Triune God and are
under its spiritual care. Expectations of baptized membership include:
a. Faithful and regular attendance at worship services
b. Living a Christian life (Galatians 5:19–26)
c. Submission to Christian admonition (Matthew 18)
d. Contribution of time, talents, and treasure toward the maintenance of the congregation and extension of the
church at large as God has blessed
e. Willingness, in due time, to be instructed in the Christian faith in preparation for confirmed membership in
this congregation.”

2. CONFIRMED MEMBERSHIP
Example:
“Confirmed members are all baptized persons within the congregation who have completed a course of

instruction in Christian doctrine that meets with the approval of the congregation’s officers. Persons
interested in attaining confirmed membership shall make their interest known to the president of the
congregation. The congregation’s supervising pastor shall ascertain the interested person’s understanding
of and commitment to the congregation’s Confession of Faith (Constitution Art. III). The pastor shall
determine whether additional instruction will be required and the appropriate method for such instruction.
The pastor shall also be authorized to extend confirmed membership to the person and announce such in a
public worship service.
“In addition to the duties of baptized members, expectations of confirmed members include:
a. Acceptance of the confession of faith described in constitution (Article III)
b. Familiarizing themselves with the doctrine of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
c. Partaking of the Lord’s Supper
d. Participation in continuing Christian education
e. Training their children in the Christian faith by making use of educational opportunities in the
congregation to enable parents to be spiritual teachers of their children and to nurture their faith.”
3. VOTING MEMBERSHIP
Example:

“Voting Members are confirmed members who have reached the age of majority, request membership by
attending a voters meeting of the congregation, and sign the constitution of the congregation. The total
number of voting members constitutes the voters’ assembly of the congregation.”
4. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP
Example:

“Membership in the congregation may be terminated in the following manners:
a. A member desiring to transfer membership to another LCMS congregation shall inform the
president of the congregation, who shall be responsible for creating and mailing a letter of transfer
to the receiving congregation.
b. A member whose whereabouts is unknown or who has moved from the area may be removed from
membership after a period of one year.
c. A member whose actions call into question his/her continued membership in the congregation
shall be the subject of Christian discipline in accord with Matthew 18:15–20, its purpose to renew
the member’s relationship with the Lord and the church.
d. A member who is not responsive to the witness and ministry of the church shall be considered
self-excluded.”

CCM Minutes – July 10–11, 2015 – Page 89