This blog, originally published in January, 2026, was updated in August, 2026.
What does it take for a congregation to be a member of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), besides sharing in the Lutheran Confessions? The “Guidelines for Constitutions and Bylaws of Lutheran Congregations” (Revised November 2012) state: “Among the responsibilities of membership, the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod require member congregations to submit their constitutions and bylaws for review by their district’s constitution committee when applying for membership in the Synod. Congregations which revise their constitutions and bylaws must also submit these proposed changes for review by their district’s constitution committee.”
Self-Governing
The Preface to the Guidelines recognizes that, while congregations of the Synod are self-governing, they commit themselves to the membership requirements of the Synod. Self-governing means that congregations are free to structure themselves in such manner as they believe will be most effective for carrying out the Great Commission in their context. This means that no constitution is the same as the last.
The Committee
The Michigan District Board of Directors appoints members to the Constitution Review Committee to fulfill the mandated review above, making sure that the people of God do things “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40). The current members of the CRC are Rev. Joel Hoyer (Chair), Mr. Aaron Baylis, Mr. Keith Altenburg, and Hon. Chris Nuechterlein. Rev. Steve Grafe is the CRC’s liaison with the District Board.
The Process
The District staff assigns the reviews of new or revised constitutions and bylaws to one of the CRC members. These members’ various life experiences, particular knowledge, and insightful eyes to the work help ensure congregations’ documents will be reviewed thoroughly and with the best construction put on what they are seeking to accomplish. The CRC does not draft a congregation’s documents or provide legal advice, but reviews them comprehensively and provides constructive feedback.
Each congregation is encouraged to review its Constitution and Bylaws periodically and to consult the current Michigan District Sample Documents (https://www.michigandistrict.org/about-us/district/constitution-bylaws) when considering revisions.
Procedures for Congregations That Wish to Make Changes to Their Constitution and/or Bylaws
Congregations should submit proposed amendments to their Constitution or Bylaws for District review before presenting them to the Voters Assembly for formal adoption. Early consultation with the Michigan District Constitution Review Committee (CRC) helps identify legal, governance, and ecclesiastical concerns, resolve potential conflicts, and avoid the need for repeated congregational action.
When congregational leadership is ready to propose amendments, the proposed Constitution and/or Bylaws, together with the congregation’s current Constitution and Bylaws, should be submitted to the Office of the President of the Michigan District through:
Martha Wohlfeil
martha.wohlfeil@michigandistrict.org
- The submission should clearly identify all proposed changes to the Constitution and/or Bylaws through tracked changes, redlining, highlighting, or an accompanying list of amendments.
- The proposed amendments will be assigned to a member of the CRC, who will work with congregational leadership through the review process.
- Following review by the CRC and favorable action by the Michigan District Board of Directors pursuant to Synod Bylaw 2.4.1, the congregation will be notified that the proposed changes are acceptable to the Synod and may be presented to the Voters Assembly for formal adoption.
- If the Voters Assembly wishes to change language that received favorable District action, the proposed change must be submitted for District review before formal adoption.
- Following formal adoption by the Voters Assembly, the Congregational Secretary should provide the District with:
- A dated record of the action taken by the Voters Assembly; and
- A dated Word document and/or PDF of the Constitution and Bylaws as adopted.