LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 23, 2000, Page 4

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4.4 Termination
4.4.1 Membership shall be terminated by transfer to a sister congregation, by death, by
joining a congregation outside the fellowship of this congregation, by excommunication,
or by self-exclusion. In cases of excommunication or self-exclusion, each case shall be
presented individually to the voters assembly for a decision.
4.4.2 Communicant members who conduct themselves in an un-Christian manner shall be
admonished according to Matthew 18:15-20. If they remain impenitent after proper
admonition, they shall be excommunicated. In all disciplinary cases, the congregation
will follow its stated and adopted guidelines. 1
5.0 CALLED CHURCH WORKERS
Since the congregation is applying for membership in the Synod or already is a member of the Synod, it is
obliged to call only ordained and commissioned workers 2 who are members of the Synod. This article
states who extends calls and should indicate who may be called, removal from office, and what to do in
case of a vacancy.
Example:
5.1 This congregation has the exclusive right to call ordained and commissioned
ministers. The pastoral office shall be conferred only on such a pastor or candidate who
professes and adheres to the confessional standard set forth in this constitution, who is
qualified for his work, who has been endorsed by the Synod, and who is a member of the
Synod. [The same shall apply to all commissioned ministers.]
5.2 Any ordained or commissioned minister may be removed from office by the voters
assembly by a two-thirds 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.
5.3 In case of a vacancy in the office of an ordained or commissioned minister, the
congregation shall notify the president of the District so that he may assist in temporarily
filling the vacancy and also give assistance in regard to the calling of a new pastor or
teacher.
6.0 AUTHORITY OF THE CONGREGATION
At times conflict arises within a congregation regarding 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

1

The matter of termination of membership is of great importance since it involves the larger subject of Church
Discipline. It is therefore advisable that congregations prepare and adopt separate guidelines to address this topic,
especially keeping in mind the following:
1. Be consistent in applying discipline.
2. Carefully follow disciplinary guidelines.
3. Do not allow unsubstantiated charges to be circulated by the church.
4. Base decisions on clearly stated biblical grounds.
5. Guidelines should state the desired outcome of church discipline, to call a fellow Christian to repentance.
2
The terminology “ordained and commissioned ministers” is used to include all church workers rostered by the
Synod. In addition to Pastors and Teachers, Directors of Christian Education, Directors of Christian Outreach,
Deaconesses, Parish Assistants and Certified Lay Ministers are also included.
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