# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S252 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 252 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION WHEREAS, This official opinion of the CCM is stated as “binding on the question decided unless and until it is overruled by a synodical convention” (Bylaw 3.905 d); therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod overrule this CCM opinion and revise it to exclude the reference to “nondoctrinal resolutions” and to state simply that congregations may not apply the inexpediency clause of Art. VII to the provisions of the synodical Constitution (especially Art. I], which states that Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions are the confessional basis of the Synod and its members); and be it further Resolved, That no majority vote by any member, board, commission, or other entity of Synod—even though the matter voted on may state that it is a matter not of doctrine or conscience—can void the right and duty of member congregations to subject matters of doctrine and conscience to the Word of God and to decide whether or not all other matters are expedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned; and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod direct its officers, Districts, boards and commissions, and all other synodical entities to uphold the principles that the Synod is advisory and that congregations are self-governing under the Word of God, as provided in our synodical Constitution, while disavowing any efforts to conceive of the Synod as a controlling or coercive entity over against its members. St. Matthew, Huber Heights, OH; Our Shepherd, Cambridge, MD 7-42 To Honor Synod’s Commitment to Congregations Wuereas, In Art. VII of its Constitution, the Synod declares it- self to be in an advisory relationship with all its members (congre- gations, pastors, teachers, deaconesses, DCEs, and parish assis- tants); and WHEREAS, The Synod honors such a relationship whenever it engages in evangelical dialogue, conversation, encouragement (“[we] beseech you ... by the mercies of God,” Rom. 12:]), and similar communication; and WHEREAS, The Synod dishonors and violates the relationship whenever it attempts to coerce, legislate, dictate, and direct (““con- gregations shall or must or are expected to”); and WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has re- cently (Sept. 14, 1999) ruled “Thus, in answer to the question to the Commission, the phrase ‘inexpedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned,’ does not refer to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod and is restricted to resolutions adopted by a convention of the Synod which are non-doctrinal in nature”; and Wuereas, The above ruling violates the clear wording of Art. VI: In ils relation 10 its members the Synod is not an ecclesiasti- cal government! exercising legisiative or coercive powers, and with respect 1o the individual congregation's right of self-gov- ernment it is bul an advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod imposing anything upon the individual congrega- tion is of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word of God or if it appears lo be inexpedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned; and WHEREAS, The words above (“is but an advisory body,” “‘no res- olution,” “of binding force”) clearly indicate that the Commission on Constitutional Matters has violated the Synod’s promise and covenant not to become a legislative or coercive body; and Wuereas, Dr. C. F. W. Walther in his first presidential address stated: “According to the constitution under which our synodical union exists, we have merely the power to advise one another, that we have only the power of the Word, and of convincing”; there- fore be it 2001 Convention Workbook Resolved, That the Synod in convention overrule the above Sept. 14, 1999, ruling of the Commission on Constitutional Mat- ters; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod in convention assure its members that it honors its historic “advisory body” relationship with its members with regard to all resolutions, Bylaws, doctrinal statements, rulings, and presidential announcements. First Lueerne, CA 7-43 To Affirm the Congregational Polity of LCMS WurereaS, Art. VII of the Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod states: “In its relation to its members the Synod is not an ecclesiastica] government exercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s right of self-government it is but an advisory body”; and Wuereas, A public statement on the synodical Internet Web site called “Our Synodical Polity” states in slide 12 of 18, “We have a synodical rather than a congregational polity,” a characteri- zation which is in conflict with the above quoted Art. VII; therefore be it Resolved, That this statement be revised to read, “We have a congregational polity”; and be it further Resolved, That in all official publications of the Synod, the polity of the Synod be described as “congregational.” St. James Myrtle Point, OR 7-44 To Maintain Rights of Congregations Rationale The last synodical convention Res. 7-06A gave the President of the Synod supervisory powers that could cause the suspension or removal of the District President or other pastors. This power changes the relationship between the Synod and its member con- gregations to the extent that the Synod can overturn a District’s de- cision to elect its own President; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention rescind Res. 7-06A. At the same time the principles of advice, encouragement, counsel, and convincing from the Word of God alone should be employed in resolving difficulties instead of authority of position or legislative power; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod once again affirm Art. VII of the Con- stitution that in relationship to its congregations the Synod is advi- sory only and that congregations have the right to determine whether synodical resolutions are consistent with the Word of God. Abiding Savior Lake Forest, CA 7-45 To Overrule CCM Ruling re Art. VII WuerEAS, The historic relationship between the Synod and its members is that “the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government ex- ercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the in- dividual congregation’s rights of self-governance it is but an advi- sory body” (Synod Constitution, Art. VIL); and WHEREAS, Further, “No resolution of the Synod imposing any- thing upon the individual congregation is of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be inex- pedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned” (Synod Constitution, Art. VIT); and WHEREAS, The clear meaning and intent of this article is estab- lished in such honored historical documents, such as C. F. W.