LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 18–19, 2016, Page 6

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for inclusion in candidate status. The effect of the 2016 Convention’s action essentially deleted the
category of non-candidate status and moved the individuals then contained in that category into the
candidate status. Instead of there being three categories of membership for inactive members (emeritus,
candidate and non-candidate), there are now only two categories of inactive membership (emeritus and
candidate)—a return to the situation prior to June 1, 2000. 1 The qualifications for being in either category
have not changed:
Emeritus
2.11.2.1

An “emeritus” member is one whose membership is held for retention on the roster upon retirement
after reaching the age of 55 or for reasons of total and permanent disability. Any unusual case shall
be decided by the Council of Presidents if the appropriate district president so requests.
(a) The emeritus member or a representative identified by his district president shall, by
January 31, make an annual report to the member’s district president.
(b) This report shall include current contact information and address the criteria for remaining
an inactive member of the Synod.
Candidate

2.11.2.2

A “candidate” member is one who is eligible to perform the duties of any of the offices of ministry
specified in Bylaw section 2.11 but who is not currently an active member or an emeritus member.
(a) A candidate may be continued on the roster for a period not to exceed ten years by act of
the president of the district through which the person holds membership. A candidate may be
further continued on the roster for a period not to exceed five additional years upon
recommendation of the applicant’s district president and approval of three fourths (75%) of the
Council of Presidents.
(b) The candidate shall, by January 31, make an annual report to the district president who
shall evaluate the member's eligibility for remaining on candidate status. The candidate's report
shall include current contact information and address the criteria for remaining on candidate
status.
(c) Among criteria for determining whether candidate status should be granted or continued
are:
(1) The health of the applicant;
(2) A spirit of cooperation in any efforts to address any unresolved issues involving fitness
for ministry;

1 The bylaw change adding non-candidate status arose from a request from the Council of Presidents and was ultimately enacted
by the Synod Board of Directors June 1, 2000 at the direction of the 1998 Convention of the Synod (1998 Res. 7-16A). This
resolution, which is indicative of the reason for the distinction then made between candidate and non-candidate members, read:
WHEREAS, “Candidate status” is a designation for those who are eligible to perform the duties of any of the offices
of ministry specified in Bylaw 2.15 but who are not currently performing those duties on a regular basis and who are
not emeriti; and
WHEREAS, Candidate status is meant to be a short-term or temporary designation which is not to exceed two years
unless an extension is granted by the Council of Presidents; and
WHEREAS, There are a large number of requests from those on candidate status for extensions beyond the two year
time limit; and
WHEREAS, Candidate status, in practice, has resulted in persons being able to retain roster status in spite of an
inability or unwillingness to receive or accept a call into active service; and
WHEREAS, The result of this practice has caused many who have candidate status to become in some way
stigmatized, even though they are in all ways eligible to receive a call, to serve in professional church work, and it is
their hope to again serve their Lord in ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That the “candidate” status be reserved for those qualified individuals who are desirous of receiving a
call and are ready to reenter the active roster; and be it further
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be directed to evaluate those who currently are designated with candidate
status and establish appropriate designations for those who for some reasons are not desirous of a call, or are in some
way unable to fulfill a call; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be directed to establish guidelines and proposed Bylaws and amendments
which, per Bylaw 15.01 2, will be drafted by the Secretary of the Synod, reviewed by the CCM, and adopted by a twothirds majority vote of the Board of Directors. This is to be reported to the church and to the 2001 synodical convention
by the Secretary of the Synod.

CCM Minutes – November 18–19, 2016 – Page 12