LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 23, 2000, Page 6

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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 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 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 the confessional standards
set forth in this constitution, as determined by the 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 the pastor, chairman, church council, or ten
(10) voting members.
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 properly called meeting shall constitute a quorum.
12.0 LIMITATIONS ON HOLDING OFFICE
In congregations that 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. 3-06A).
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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