# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S528
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

528

ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

specifically addressed
by our Lutheran
Confessions
(lcms.org/about/beliefs/doctrine/brief-statement-of-lcms-doctrinalposition); and
WHEREAS, A Brief Statement contains concise articles
concerning the Holy Scriptures and the Biblical creation account,
among other things, yet this statement is not part of the confessional
subscription of our pastors; (ibid., Paragraph 5, under “Creation”);
and
WHEREAS, The teaching of evolution, theistic evolution, day-age
theory, and death before sin, and other such errors as factual and
true, continues to pose a significant threat to the integrity of our
confession and the spiritual welfare of our people; and
WHEREAS, The current Council of Presidents (COP) SelfEvaluation Tool (SETs) includes questions about the charismatic
movement, worship practices, and other similar issues that remain
contentious in our Synod; and
WHEREAS, The current COP Commissioned Minister
Information Form (CMIF) includes other doctrinal questions of
concern in our Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Montana District in convention memorialize
the Synod in convention to direct the COP to include clarifying
questions in the Self-Evaluation Tool (SET) of pastors and pastoral
candidates of the Synod so that the congregations, schools and other
calling institutions of the Synod can clearly hear what they confess
regarding creation and the teaching of different evolutionary
theories; and be it further
Resolved, That the Montana District in convention memorialize
the Synod in convention to direct the COP to include clarifying
questions in the Commissioned Minister Information Form (CMIF)
so that the congregations, schools and other calling institutions of
the Synod can clearly hear what commissioned ministers confess
regarding creation and the teaching of different evolutionary
theories.
Montana District
Ov. 10-16

To Overrule Board of Directors’ May 2017
Resolution Regarding 2016 Resolution 12-14
and Bylaw 7.1.2
WHEREAS, The 2016 convention of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, in its Resolution 12-14 “Regarding the Right of an
Accuser to Appeal When a District President or President of the
Synod Fails to Act or Declines to Suspend,” and according to Bylaw
7.1.2, deferred its rightful and legislative authority regarding the
development of ecclesiastical supervision bylaws with respect to
and inclusion of the President of the Synod, the decision given to
Synod’s Board of Directors; and
WHEREAS, Res. 12-14, in accordance with Bylaw 7.1.2, set forth
a specific path and timeline for consideration, negotiation, and
counsel to be conducted with the Council of Presidents, with any
proposed amendments to the bylaws to be reviewed by the
Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) and the Commission
on Handbook; and
WHEREAS, Res. 12-14 states that the CCM in Op. 16-2791 “has
indicated portions of the expulsion processes of Synod’s Bylaws are
presently in an unconstitutional state with respect to Constitution
Articles Art. XI B 1–3 and Const. Art. XIII 2”; and

2019 Convention Workbook

WHEREAS, The Board of Directors, acting under Bylaw 7.1.2 and
at the express direction of the 2016 Res. 12-14, in May of 2017
adopted changes to the Bylaws of the Synod regarding ecclesiastical
supervision; and
WHEREAS, The Constitution of Synod defines clearly, precisely,
and fully the supervisory role of the President of Synod, wherein
the President of Synod has “the supervision regarding the doctrine
and the administration of: a. All officers of the Synod; b. All such
as are employed by the Synod; c. The individual district of the
Synod; d. All district presidents” (Const. Art. XI B 1); and
WHEREAS, The President of Synod, as ecclesiastical supervisor,
is limited in the exercise of said power, assuming “only such rights
as have been expressly conferred” (Const. Art. XI A 1: “The officers
of the Synod must assume only such rights as have been expressly
conferred upon them by the Synod, and in everything pertaining to
their rights and the performance of their duties, they are responsible
to the Synod.”), which are expressly conferred to be “the power to
advise, admonish, and reprove … conscientiously use all means at
his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice
in all the districts of the Synod” (Const. Art. XI B 3); and
WHEREAS, Synod’s Constitution expressly confers upon the
district presidents the duty to “exercise supervision over” their
district’s ministers and to “visit and, … hold investigations in the
congregations” (Const. Art. XII 7), including the district presidents
being empowered “to suspend from membership” their district’s
ministers (Const. Art. XII 8); and
WHEREAS, Prior to the year 2016 and CCM Op. 16-2791,
numerous CCM opinions [to wit Ag. 1970, Op.15-2750, 13-2669,
10-2581, 03-2354, and 03-2338, A and C] interpreted the President
of Synod’s scope of ecclesiastical supervision does not include
supervision over individual workers and congregations expressed in
Const. Art. XII 7–8; therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod in convention, as the ultimate legislative
body of Synod (Bylaw 1.4.1: “The delegate convention of the
Synod is the legislative assembly that ultimately legislates policy,
program, and financial direction to carry on the Synod’s work on
behalf of and in support of the member congregations. It reserves to
itself the right to give direction to all officers and agencies of the
Synod. Consequently, all officers and agencies, unless otherwise
specified in the Bylaws, shall be accountable to the Synod for all
their actions, and any concerns regarding the decisions of such
officers or agencies may be brought to the attention of the Synod in
convention for appropriate action. This provision does not apply to
specific member appeals to the Concordia Plans, which has its own
appeal process for such cases.”) considers the following to be steps
to the resolution of this matter; and be it further
Resolved, That changes, subsequent to 2016 Res. 12-14, made
under Bylaw section 2.14 “Expulsion of Congregations or
Individuals from Membership in the Synod,” under Bylaw section
2.15 “Expulsion of a District President or Officer from Membership
in the Synod,” under Bylaw section 2.16 “Expulsion of a President
of Synod from Membership in the Synod,” and under Bylaw section
2.17 “Expulsion of Individuals from Membership in the Synod as a
Result of Sexual Misconduct or Criminal Behavior,” as a result of
2016 Res. 12-14, as adopted by the Board of Directors (May 2017)
be overruled and of no effect; and be it further
Resolved, That a Blue Ribbon Task Force of seven members,
with four members appointed by the 35 district presidents, three of
whom shall be district presidents, and three members appointed by