LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1917, Page 49

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Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States. 1917.

than those mentioned may be elected to serve on the Board of
' Directors.

12. The Districts shall have the privilege of regulating their
own internal affairs, it being understood, however, that such regula-
tion shall serve the best interests of Synod.

13. The regular sessions of the Districts shall be held in those
years when Synod does not regularly convene. Only Synod may
make an exception to this rule. .

14. A District Synod shall be duly qualified to transact business,
if the meeting has been constitutionally convened and at least one-
third of its voting membership is represented by one of its delegates
(a pastor or a lay member).

15. In case of urgent necessity the District President shall be
empowered to convene a special session of his District, provided,
however, that he previously, after having informed the President
of Synod and the voting membership of his District of the purpose
of such special session, have the consent of at least a majority of
the latter. ;

Article XIII. — Expulsion from Synod.

1, Members who act contrary to the doctrinal basis of Art. LI
and the conditions of membership in Art. VI, or who, disregarding
all admonitions, persist in leading an ungodly life, shall be expelled.

2. The District Synods, as a rule, expel such members; never-
theless, any member expelled by a District shall be permitted. to
make an appeal to Synod.

3. If an expelled pastor or teacher holds office in a congregation
which is a member of Synod, then such congregation, if it has not
already done so, shall be held to depose him from office, and deal
with him in accordance with the Word of God, notwithstanding any
appeal he may have made. If a congregation persistently refuses
to do so, the District shall take such congregation to task; and,
if all negotiations and admonitions fail of their purpose, such con-
gregation shall forfeit its right of membership in Synod.

4. All those who are expelled from Synod do thereby, as a matter
of course, lose all rights of membership and any property rights
vested in Synod. The latter also holds good in the case of any
member who, for any reason, severs his connection with Synod.

Article XIV. — Amendments to Constitution.

1. Amendments may be made to this Constitution, provided that
they conflict in no wise with the provisions laid down in Art. IT
and Art. VI.

2. Amendments, to be considered by Synod, must be presented
in writing. A separate vote must be taken on each amendment pro-
osed. A motion for amendment shall not be considered unless at
east two-thirds of the voting members present shall vote in favor
of such amendment.

3. A motion for amendment, duly voted upon and carried, shall
be published by the President and Secretary of Synod within three
months after the close of the synodical convention in three succes-
sive issues of the official organs of Synod, and thus be submitted to

_ the vote of the various congregations of Synod.

4, After a majority of the congregations shall have registered
their vote in writing with the Secretary of Synod, the result of the
vote shall be announced by the Secretary through the official organs
of Synod. Such amendment to the Constitution shall, upon the pub-
lication of the fact, immediately become effective.

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