LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 229

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THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
Way Forward

Way Forward

Detailed Framework

Detailed Framework

12.2.2 By-laws of the Church

Section 7.4 – Nominations and Elections

PROPOSED THAT the By-laws of the Church be amended as follows (Words to be deleted
– strike through; word to be added - bold):

7.4.1.2

Section 5.4. – Calls and Transfers
5.4.1.2

every call and transfer rests upon a basis of mutual confidence and a sense
of responsibility toward each other and before God, in which the Bishop and
Church Council of the respective District and the responsible committees of
the congregation or parish consider each case with due care before a
recommendation is made, every parish gives earnest and serious
consideration to the recommendations placed before it, and every pastor
duly weighs the recommendations placed before him or her;

5.4.1.5

parishes which for many years have been blessed through the talents of their
pastor do not selfishly seek to prevent him or her from rendering similar
service in another field.

5.4.4

The relationship between a pastor and the Church, District, parish,
congregation or other body the call of which he or she has accepted is
personal, spiritual and sacred and is not intended to create any legal
relationship or any employment relationship between the pastor and any
member of any part of the Church.
A parish may stipulate that only male pastors be included on the candidates'
list for call. The Bishop of the District or the Bishop's representative shall
convene a meeting of parish representatives to consider candidates
proposed by the Bishop or the Bishop's representative on behalf of the
Church Council of the District, by the representatives of the parish, and by
any member of the parish through its secretary.

5.4.9.1

5.4.16.2.3.1 the pastor has a serious physical or mental disability which substantially
impedes the effectiveness of his or her ministry; or
5.4.16.3.1

A relevant Bishop shall arrange a fraternal discussion of the situation between
the pastor, the governing committee, him- or herself and any other person
he or she considers appropriate in an endeavour to achieve a peaceable
resolution of it.

5.4.16.3.3

If the Bishop’s arrangements referred to in the preceding Section 5.4.16.3.1
do not achieve a peaceable resolution of the situation, he or she shall make
a report in respect of the situation, the arrangements he or she made for
discussion and the outcome of the arrangements and discussions to the
Church Council of the relevant District or of the Church (as the case may
require). The report shall be deemed to be the submission to the Church
Council of a Miscellaneous Issue pursuant to the following Section 10.3.5.

5.4.16.3.9

All pastors whose names are recorded on the Roll of Pastors of the Church,
excluding pastors emeriti, are eligible for the position of Bishop and Assistant
Bishop, subject to:
7.4.1.2.1

Having served on the LCA Roll of Pastors for a minimum of six [6]
years prior to nomination.

7.4.1.2.2

Having served in various settings within the Church,
demonstrating breadth of experience and adaptability.

7.4.1.2.3

The nominations committee verifying that all nominees meet
these eligibility requirements before presenting their names for
consideration.

Section 8.2 - Officials
8.2.1.1.6.1 assure him or herself and thereby the Church that the teaching and practice
of Australian Lutheran College is in accord with the public teaching and
practice of the Church;
8.2.1.1.6.3 satisfy him or herself that the appropriate pastoral care is available for the
staff of Australian Lutheran College;
Section 10.2 – Ecclesiastical Discipline by a Congregation
10.2.5

Upon the receipt of a written allegation pursuant to the preceding Section
10.2.3 or an appeal pursuant to the preceding Section 10.2.4, the Bishop shall
endeavour to meet the intent stated in the preceding Section 10.1. If
successful, the Bishop shall record that the case is closed. If unsuccessful, the
Bishop may, in his or her discretion

10.2.5.5

take such other steps as he or she considers pastorally appropriate.

Section 10.3 – Ecclesiastical Discipline by the Church against a Pastor
10.3.4

Upon the receipt of an appeal pursuant to the preceding Section 10.3.3, the
Bishop of the respective District shall endeavour to meet the intent stated in
the preceding Section 10.1. If successful, the Bishop of the respective District
shall record that the case is closed. If unsuccessful, the Bishop of the
respective District may, in his or her discretion

10.3.4.4

take such other steps as he or she considers pastorally appropriate.

At all stages of the procedure, the Bishop may take such further steps as he
or she considers pastorally appropriate.

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Page 43 of 50

Way Forward

Way Forward

Detailed Framework

Detailed Framework

Section 10.4 – The Judicial System of the Church

12.4.

10.4.10

12.4.1 Model Constitution of a Congregation

12.3.

The Tribunal which determines the pastor, teacher or other church worker has
breached Article 10.1.2 of the Constitution shall make a recommendation to
the respective Bishop as to the disciplinary action to be taken by him or her.
The recommendation shall be officially recorded by the respective Secretary.

District constitutions and by-laws

Article 6 – The Ministry

PROPOSED THAT the Constitution of the Districts, in the By-laws of the Church be
amended as follows (Words to be deleted – strike through; word to be added - bold):
Article 1.2 - Definitions
‘pastor’ or ‘member of the Ministry’ means any person man or woman
ordained to the Holy Ministry according to the rites and practice of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church who has been received into the Ministry of the
Church according to Article 5.1;

Article 8 – Officers and Administration
8.1

The Officials of the District shall be a Bishop, one or more Assistant Bishops, a
Secretary, and a Treasurer. They shall be elected for a term of office
determined by the District. The Bishop and Assistant Bishops shall be pastors
of the Church in the District who have served on the LCA Roll of Pastors for at
least six [6] years.

12.3.2 By-laws of Districts
PROPOSED THAT the By-laws Part A of the Districts, in the By-laws of the Church be
amended as follows (Words to be deleted – strike through; word to be added - bold):
Section 7.4 – Nominations
7.4.2

All pastors whose names are recorded on the Roll of Pastors of the Church,
excluding pastors emeriti, are eligible for the position of Bishop; only pastors
of the District are eligible for the position of Assistant Bishop(s) in the District,
subject to:
7.4.2.1

Having served on the LCA Roll of Pastors for a minimum of six [6]
years prior to nomination.

7.4.2.2

Having served in various settings within the Church,
demonstrating breadth of experience and adaptability.

7.4.2.3

The nominations committee verifying that all nominees meet
these eligibility requirements before presenting their names for
consideration.

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Model constitutions and by-laws for a congregation and parish

PROPOSED THAT the Model Constitution for a Congregation be amended as follows
(Words to be deleted – strike through; word to be added - bold):

6.2

12.3.1 Constitution of the Districts

1.2.12

229

The Pastor of the Congregation shall be a man1 whose soundness in faith,
aptness to teach, and other qualifications for office have been examined
and approved by the Church in accordance with the Scriptures and
Confessions of the Church regarding the public office of the ministry.
1 Congregations may modify this article to include ‘or woman’.

Article 9.3 – Church Council
9.3.1

The Pastor, by virtue of his the office, shall attend all meetings of the Church
Council.

Article 9.6 – Officers and Committees
9.6.14

The Pastor, by virtue of his the office, shall have the right to attend all
meetings of the committees.

Article 9.9 – The Committee of Pastoral Assistants
9.9.5

The pastoral assistants shall assist the Pastor in his ministry and for this purpose
they shall concern themselves with the spiritual life of the Congregation and
its members by…

12.4.2 Model Constitution of a Parish
PROPOSED THAT the Model Constitution for a Parish be amended as follows (Words to be
deleted – strike through; word to be added - bold):
Footnote #2, paragraph 5 (page 5)
Indivuidual congergations Individual congregations should expect to have the services
of the pastor and his1 time relative to the number of members in the congregation
compared to the total number of members in all the congregations in the parish.
1 Parishes may modify this article to include ‘or her’.

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2026 Convention Workbook