LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 16,1999, Page 7

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(2) Here shall be listed the board of elders or corresponding board directly involved in the
functions of the pastoral office.
(3) Here the congregation may list at its discretion those major policy and decision-making
boards or standing committees, if any, whose chairmanship the congregation might wish to
restrict to men.
13.0 AMENDMENTS
Every constitution should provide a method for its own amendment. In the past the Synod has usually
resorted to a device called "unalterable articles." Legally there are no unalterable articles. There are,
however, certain articles in a congregation's constitution which should be more difficult to amend than
others. The Commission recommends that this concern be taken care of by having two separate
procedures for amendment.
Example:
13.1 Amendments to provisions of this constitution except Section _____ (1)_____ may be adopted
at a regular voters' meeting, except as hereinafter other-wise provided:
1. That the proposed amendment has been submitted in writing at a previous meeting of the
voters assembly and published by posting in a conspicuous place in the church or by mail to all
communicant members of the congregation prior to the meeting at which the proposed
amendment will be acted upon;
2. That an affirmative vote of a two-thirds majority of the voters present is secured.
13.2 In addition to the above requirements, proposals to amend Sections _____(1)_____ shall require
that previous notice of such amendment and discussion of the same shall be presented at two regular
meetings of the voters assembly before the meeting at which the proposed amendment is to receive
action. Due notice of the fact that a vote will be taken shall be given to all voting members of the
congregation. Any changes in these articles shall not destroy the essential meaning of the same.
Whether or not this has occurred shall be decided, if challenged, by a decision by the dispute
resolution process described in the Bylaws of the Synod.
2. GUIDELINES FOR BYLAWS
14.0
PROCEDURES FOR CALLING PASTORS AND TEACHERS ORDAINED AND
COMMISSIONED MINISTERS
A congregation should be quite specific in setting forth the procedures to be followed in the calling of
pastors and teachers ordained and commissioned ministers.
Example:
14.1 When a pastor or a teacher is to be called, every member of the congregation shall have the
privilege of making one or more nominations. The congregation shall also ask the President of the
synodical District for recommendations.
In the case of a pastoral call the Board of Elders shall may serve as the screening committee, and in
the case of the calling of a teacher the Board of Education shall may perform that function.
14.2 In the screening process the respective board or committee shall submit all names to the
respective District President for information and evaluation. After receiving information and
recommendations from the District President, the respective board or committee shall present to the
congregation by means of a public announcement, at least _____ preferred candidates, together with a
biographical sketch of each.
14.3 At the voters meeting, called for the purpose of electing a new pastor or teacher, the preferred
list may be amended by means of a two-thirds vote of those present. At that point the voters assembly
shall be asked to agree to be satisfied with whatever selection is finally made by the congregation.
14.4 Balloting shall proceed by means of a secret ballot vote. A majority is needed in order to
determine the disposition of the call.

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