LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 23, 2000, 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 decisionmaking 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 article." 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 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.
(1) Here shall be listed articles on subjects which in these Guidelines are detailed in
paragraphs 2.0, 3.0, 5.0, 8.0, 13.0 . . .

2. GUIDELINES FOR BYLAWS
14.0 PROCEDURES FOR CALLING ORDAINED AND COMMISSIONED MINISTERS
A congregation should be quite specific in setting forth the procedures to be followed in the calling of
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 may serve as the screening committee,
and in the case of the calling of a teacher the Board of Education 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.

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