LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 23, 2000, Page 5

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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 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 for 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 for stewardship consisting of . . ., which shall be charged with the
stimulation of the people to a proper 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 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.
8.0 SYNODICAL MEMBERSHIP
The congregation should designate its membership in the Synod.
Example:
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