LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 16,1999, Page 6

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8.0 SYNODICAL MEMBERSHIP
The congregation should designate its membership in the Synod.
Example:
This congregation shall be a member of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod as long as the Synod
conforms to the congregation's confessional standards set forth in Section 3 this constitution as
determined by a majority vote of the congregation at a meeting called for that purpose.
9.0 DIVISION
It is an unhappy fact of life that disagreements do occur even in Christian congregations, and that at times
the result is not reconciliation but a parting of the ways. It is best to set down the principles far in advance
which shall govern such a situation if it should ever arise.
Example:
9.1 If at any time a division should take place on account of doctrine for any reason, the property of
the congregation and all benefits connected therewith shall remain with those communicant members
who continue to adhere in confession and practice to Section 3 of the confessional standards set forth
in this constitution, as determined by the adjudication procedures of the Synod dispute resolution
process described in the Bylaws of the Synod.
9.2 In the event the congregation should dissolve, the property and all rights connected therewith shall
be transferred to that District of the Synod in which the congregation held membership at the time of
dissolution.
10.0 MEETINGS
It is best to set forth the manner in which meetings are to be called.
Example:
Regular meetings of the voters assembly shall be held as determined in the bylaws. Announcement of
the meeting shall be made in the services of the two previous Sundays. Special meetings require
announcement in services in the two previous Sundays or notification by mail and announcement in
the services of one previous Sunday. Such special meetings may be called at the request of three
officers or ten voting members the pastor, chairman or church council.
11.0 QUORUM
Instead of the traditional approach of setting a percentage of members who must be present for a meeting
to be valid, the Commission prefers the method of permitting a meeting to be valid if it has been properly
called. Example:
All members present at a validly properly called meeting shall constitute a quorum.
12.0 LIMITATIONS ON HOLDING OFFICE
In congregations which have woman suffrage and in which women hold office, in conformity with the
Synod's position to date (1983), a paragraph should be inserted indicating the limitations on holding
offices that shall apply as adopted by the Synod (1969 Res. 2-17; 1971 Workbook, p. 244; 1981 Res. 311; 1995 Res. -06A).
Example:
Women who have reached the age of ____(1)____ may hold voting membership in the congregation
and serve as officers and as members of boards and committees as long as these positions are not
directly involved in the specific functions of the pastoral office (preaching, the public administration
of the sacraments, church discipline) and as long as this service does not violate the order of creation
(usurping authority over men). Accordingly, they shall not serve as pastor, as a member of ___ (2)___
as chairman or vice-chairman of the congregation, or as chairman of ____(3)____.
(1) The age given shall be at least the majority age established by state law.

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