LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 13, 2000, Page 4

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C. Continuing Eligibility
of Individual Members
2.15 Active Members

To remain on the roster of the Synod as an “active member,” an
ordained or commissioned minister of religion must be a communicant member of
a congregation which is a member of the Synod (except as provided in paragraph
c of this section) and be regularly performing the duties of one of the following:
a. An ordained minister serving a congregation of the Synod;
b. A commissioned minister serving a congregation of the Synod;
c. A minister of religion, ordained or commissioned, serving a congregation
which is not a member of the Synod, provided that such is approved (on the basis of
policies adopted by the Council of Presidents) by the President of the District in which
the congregation is located.
d. An elected officer of the Synod, including a District or other agency of the
Synod;
e. An executive or professional staff member serving the Synod, including a
District or other agency of the Synod;
f. A missionary serving under a call by the Synod, including a call by a District;
g. A person serving on the faculty or professional staff of a synodical educational
institution;
h. A military or institutional chaplain or other specialized ministry endorsed by
the Synod, including endorsement by one of its Districts;
i. An executive or professional staff member called or appointed by a national
inter-Lutheran agency referred to in section 13.01;
j. An executive or professional staff member called or appointed by an auxiliary
(14.01) or other recognized service organization (14.03), including a person serving an
educational institution, whether elementary or secondary, recognized by the Synod.
2.17 Inactive Members
Inactive members are advisory members of the Synod. As such, they have all the
rights, privileges, and responsibilities of advisory membership in the Synod as defined in
the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. To remain on the roster of the Synod as an
“inactive member,” an ordained or commissioned minister of religion must be a
communicant member in good standing of a congregation which is a member of the
Synod and must qualify and make application for one of the following categories:
a. An “emeritus” member is one whose membership is held for retention on the
roster upon retirement after reaching the age of 55 or for reasons of total and permanent
disability. Any unusual case shall be decided by the Council of Presidents if the
appropriate District President so requests.
b. A “candidate” member is one who is eligible to perform the duties of any of
the offices of ministry specified in Bylaw 2.15 but who is not currently an active member
or an emeritus member. A candidate may be continued on the roster for a period not to
exceed four years by act of the President of the District through which the person holds
membership. The candidate shall, by January 31, make an annual report to the District
President who shall evaluate the member’s eligibility for remaining on candidate status.
The candidate’s report shall include current contact information and address the criteria
for remaining on candidate status. Among criteria for determining whether candidate
status should be granted or continued are: 1) the health of the applicant; 2) a spirit of
cooperation in any efforts to address any unresolved issues involving fitness for ministry;
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