§ 16:5-13 — Strife and division in congregation; settlement; title and disposition of property

Any such corporation, by its constitution or other agreement with its constituent and affiliated congregations, may provide for the settlement and determination of strife and division in any congregation which is a member of or is affiliated with said corporation, and in case of any such strife and division, such settlement and determination shall provide for a continuation in possession and title of all the property of the congregation represented by that part of the congregation's membership which continues in unity with the said synod or district and its faith, whether such part of the said membership constitutes a majority or a minority of its total membership. In similar manner, the said corporation may provide for the acquisition by the corporation of all of the real and personal property of any constituent or affiliated congregation which shall be dissolved by voluntary or involuntary action or which shall become inactive or extinct. In the event of any such acquisition, the Lutheran Synod or District incorporated under this act may manage, use, sell, convey, mortgage or otherwise dispose of all such real and personal property so acquired for the uses and purposes of the said corporation. Any sale, conveyance or other disposition of any such property so acquired shall be sufficient and as effectual as if made by the former congregation or its proper trustees, officers, agents or legal representatives, and shall vest in the grantee, vendee, purchaser, or person acquiring an interest therein, all the right, title and interest in and to such property theretofore vested in the said congregation, or in its trustees, officers, agents or legal representatives. L.1950, c. 84, p. 149, s. 10. Amended by L.1962, c. 53, s. 6; L.1972, c. 138, s. 4, eff. Aug. 30, 1972.