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The LCMS Handbook
Handbook of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 2023 Edition. The Handbook is the body of governing documents adopted by the Synod in convention — the Constitution, the Bylaws, and the Articles of Incorporation. Every citation in the overtures and reports on this site links into the section of this Handbook that the citation refers to.
The 2023 edition remains the canonical text until a successor is adopted at the 2026 Convention. The text below is extracted from the official Handbook PDF and presented for reading and cross-reference; for any binding interpretation, consult the published Handbook.
Original PDF: 2.4 MBDownload
Constitution
- Art. IName
- Art. IIConfession
- Art. IIIObjectives
- Art. IVPowers
- Art. VMembership
- Art. VIConditions of Membership
- Art. VIIRelation of the Synod to Its Members
- Art. VIIISynodical Meetings
- Art. IXRepresentation
- Art. XOfficers
- Art. XIRights and Duties of Officers
- Art. XIIDistricts of the Synod and Their Regulation
- Art. XIIIExpulsion from the Synod
- Art. XIVBylaws
- Art. XVChanges in, and Amendments to, the Constitution
Bylaws
- 1
Relationships Within And Through The Synod
10 sections
- 2
Membership
18 sections
- 2.1Overview
- 2.2Eligibility of Congregations
- 2.3Application by Congregations
- 2.4Continued Eligibility of Congregations
- 2.5Calling Ministers of Religion*
- 2.6Individual Membership
- 2.7Eligibility for Individual Membership
- 2.8Qualification for First Call*
- 2.9Assignment of First Calls
- 2.10Ordination, Commissioning, and Initial Installation
- 2.11Continued Eligibility of Individual Members
- 2.12District Membership and Ecclesiastical Supervision
- 2.13Membership Status and Limitations
- 2.14Expulsion of Congregations or Individuals
- 2.15Expulsion of a District President or Officer
- 2.16Expulsion of a President of the Synod
- 2.17Expulsion of Individuals from Membership in the Synod
- 2.18Reinstatement of Individuals into Membership
- 3
National Organization And Responsibilities
12 sections
- 3.1National Conventions
- 3.2Elected or Appointed Officers, Boards, and Commissions
- 3.3Elected Officers of the Synod
- 3.4Appointed Officers of the Synod
- 3.5National Office Teams
- 3.6Synodwide Corporate Entities
- 3.7Synodwide Trust Entities
- 3.8Mission Boards and Offices
- 3.9Commissions
- 3.10Other Councils, Committees, and Boards
- 3.11Staff
- 3.12Nominations and Elections
- 4
District Organization
9 sections
- 5
Circuits
4 sections
- 6
Auxiliary And Recognized Service Organizations
2 sections
- 7
Amendments To Bylaws
0 sections