Why is compliance with the law of the State of Missouri so important for the Synod?
The Synod in convention has chosen to incorporate itself as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Missouri. When a church body chooses to do this, it is no longer just a church. It places itself under the laws of the state and agrees to function according to those laws in exchange for the benefits and protections that non-profit corporation status provides. Such benefits include immunity for individual officers and members from the debt or other liabilities of the corporation. Safeguarding these benefits is extremely important. For the Board to do anythingor fail to do somethingthat places these state-offered benefits and protections at risk would be a dereliction of duty. The Synod requires that its Board of Directors function as a board of directors according to that law (Bylaw 3.183), not only to protect important interests of the Synod but also because this is proper Christian behavior according to the Scriptures. Q: What about state law caused the Board of Di
