LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 16,1999, Page 5

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At times conflict arises within the congregation as to the extent of the authority of the voters assembly of
the congregation with reference to societies and organizations within the congregation or related directly
to the congregation. It is therefore wise to include an article designed to obviate this difficulty.
Example:
6.1 The voters assembly shall be the governing body of this congregation and shall be empowered to
administer and manage all its affairs. The establishment and conduct of all organizations and societies
within the congregation or related directly to it shall be subject to the approval and supervision of the
voters assembly.
6.2 All matters shall be decided by a majority vote of the voters assembly unless otherwise specified
by this constitution or bylaws, including matters of doctrine and conscience, which shall be decided
only on the basis of the Word of God.
6.3 The right of calling pastors or- teachers ordained or commissioned ministers shall be vested in the
voters assembly and shall not be delegated otherwise.
7.0 OFFICERS AND BOARDS
The constitution, as well as the bylaws, should designate only those officers, boards, and committees
which form the essential framework of the congregation. This will enable the congregation to create (or to
terminate) at will other offices and committees as necessary either on an ongoing basis or to meet certain
temporary conditions. The congregation may wish to review the structure of the Synod in establishing its
boards, to include such boards as stewardship, social ministry, youth, etc., in addition to those listed
below.
Example:
This congregation shall have the following officers and boards in addition to any which the
congregation shall authorize from time to time:
7.1 Officers
7. 1.1 A chairman, who shall conduct the meetings of the voters assembly....
7.1.2 A vice-chairman, who is to fill the role in the chairman's absence or inability to act....
7.1.3 A secretary, who shall keep the minutes of the voters' meetings....
7.1.4 A treasurer, who shall be responsible for the financial records of the congregation, ....
7.1.5 A financial secretary who shall oversee the receipt of all monies and deposit the same in an
account established in the name of the congregation.
7.1.6 .....
7.2 Boards
7.2.1 A board of elders, consisting of . . ., which shall assist the pastor in the spiritual life of the
congregation.
7.2.2 A board of trustees, consisting of . . ., which shall be responsible for the physical properties of
the congregation.
7.2.3 A board of Christian education, consisting of . . ., which shall be responsible for the nurture and
Christian growth of the members of the congregation.
7.2.4 A board for evangelism, consisting of . . ., which shall lead the members of the congregation in
outreach to others in the community.
7.2.5 A board of stewardship consisting of . . - which shall be charged with the stimulation of the
people to a stewardship of time, talents and treasures.
7.2.6 ...
7.3 Removal from Office
7.3.1 Any officer or board member may be removed from office by the voters assembly by a twothirds majority ballot vote, in Christian and lawful order, for one of the following reasons: persistent
adherence to false doctrine, scandalous life, willful neglect or inability to perform the duties of the
office.
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