# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S255
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 255

The implication of this opinion is that a non-doctrinal
resolution changing or adding a Bylaw, passed by a simple
majority of 50 percent of the present and voting delegates in
convention becomes binding on a congregation. They cannot
point to Art. VII and say the Bylaw resolution does not fit their
congregation. The Synod has become a legislative body.

There is also a potential for many non-doctrinal Bylaw
resolutions in the future that could be passed that would affect
how we govern our individual congregations, Districts, and the
Synod. For example, the Bylaws could tel] us how we are and are
not to worship or serve in our communities; therefore be it

Resolved, That the CCM be thanked for its time and effort in
considering the phrasés “congregation’s right of self-governance”
and “inexpedient as far as the condition of a congregation is
concerned”; and be it further

Resolved, That the opinion be respectfully rejected by the
Synod in convention.

Immanuel, Riverside, CA; Shepherd of the Valley, Moreno
Valley, CA; Trinity, Simi Valley, CA

7-53

To Affirm Priority of Local Circumstances
to Determine Congregational Ministry

WueREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has histori-
cally favored a polity that places the greatest responsibility for mis-
sion and ministry at the local level, in keeping with FC SD X 9:

We further believe, teach, and confess that the community of
God in every place and at every time has the right, authority,
and power to change, to reduce, or to increase ceremonies ac-
cording to its circumstances, as long as it does so without frivo-
lity and offense but in an orderly and appropriate way, as at any
time may seem to be most profitable, beneficial, and salutary
for good order, Christian discipline, evangelical! decorum, and
the edification of the church;

and

WHEREAS, Art. VII of the Constitution clearly and unequivo-
cally states that “the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government ex-
ercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the in-
dividual congregation’s right of self-government it is but an
advisory body”; and

WHEREAS, There is sometimes a tension between maintaining
traditions, or “ceremonies,” common to the LCMS and boldly pro-
claiming the Gospel to those who may be put off by such traditions
but who are nonetheless open to the message of salvation by faith
in Jesus Christ; and

WHEREAS, We are instructed to “accept him whose faith is
weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters” (Rom.
14:1); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention pray to the Lord Jesus
Christ for the unity that comes through His Spirit; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention diligently contend for
the freedom of the Gospel and refrain from judging one another
and putting any stumbling blocks or obstacles in the way of con-
gregations, schools, and ministers who seek innovative ways to
communicate the pure Gospel to the people in their particular lo-
cality; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention affirm that the congre-
gations, schools, and ministers at the local level are in the best po-
sition to assess the conditions and circumstances in which they
minister and to respond accordingly; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to God for
those congregations, schools, and ministers who have been faith-
fully making disciples in their localities through the ministry of
Word and Sacrament.

Christ the King
Kingwood, TX

7-54

To Reject CCM Ruling and Reaffirm
Commitment to Art. VII and VIII C

Wuereas, The covenant between the Synod and its members
(congregations, ordained and commissioned ministers) is defined
by the Constitution of the Synod; and

Whereas, Art. VII of the Constitution clearly and unequivo-
cally states that “the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government ex-
ercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the in-
dividual congregation’s right of self-governance it is but an
advisory body”; and

Wuereas, Art. VIII C specifies that “All matters of doctrine and
of conscience shall be decided only by the word of God. All other
matters shall be decided by a majority vote”; and

WHEREAS, The founding President of the Synod, C. F. W.
Walther, insisted from the very beginning that the only power the
Synod has is the power to persuade; and

WHEREAS, This understanding means that every congregation
and member of the Synod has the responsibility and right to deter-
mine whether or not a synodical] resolution is in accord with the
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions that they have pledged to
“accept without reservation” in Art. II of the Constitution; and

WHEREAS, Doctrinal questions not addressed by the Lutheran
Confessions have arisen that the Synod in recent years has tried to
resolve by adding bylaws and passing resolutions that have the ef-
fect of making the Synod “an ecclesiastical government exercising
legislative or coercive powers,” in contradiction to Art. VII and
Art. VIII C of the Constitution; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod meet-
ing in convention in St. Louis in 2001 reaffirm its commitment to
honor and uphold Art. VII and Art. VIII C of the Constitution, and
to review and revise any bylaws that contradict or modify these ar-
ticles; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reject the September 14, 1999, ruling
of the Commission on Constitutional Matters, which states that
only nondoctrinal resolutions adopted by the Synod are advisory
to its members, because this ruling flatly contradicts the spirit and
the letter of Art. VIL and Art. VIII C of the Constitution, and be-
cause it attempts to revise the Constitution without following the
procedures laid out in Art. XIV; and be it further

Resolved, That proposals for changes in governance relation-
ships between the Synod, the Districts, and the Circuit Counselors
be tabled until they are in conformity with the constitutionally es-
tablished self-governing nature of the congregation and the advi-
sory nature of the Synod; and be it finally

Resolved, That we implore the mercies of God to help us to find
a consensus on disputed doctrinal matters that is pleasing to Him,
grounded in the Scriptures, faithful to the Gospel and to the
covenant we have made with one another in the Synod, so that the
unity, mission, and ministry of this portion of the body of Christ
known as The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod might be
strengthened and advanced.

Redeemer, Winona, MN; Zion, Akron, OH; Hope, Austin,
TX; Christ, Seaford, DE; Trinity, Seattle, WA; St. Paul,
Ogallala, NE; Risen Christ, Stillwater, MN; St. John,
Wadena, MN; Shepherd in the Pines, Big Bear Lake, CA;
Royal Redeemer, North Royalton, OH; Faith, Carpinteria,
CA; St. Paul, Flemington, NJ; Good Shepherd, Greenville,
SC; St. John, Glendale, NY; St. John, Hinton, OK; The
Family of Faith, Houston, TX; King of Glory,
Williamsburg, VA; St. Peter, Lebanon, WI; Emmanuel,
Kettering, OH; Our Savior, Morristown, TN; Holy Cross,
Mahwah, NJ; Our Savior, Portland, OR; St. John, Ft.
Collins, CO; Lord of Life, Leawood, KS; First, Paola, KS;
Grace, Woodbridge, VA; Holy Trinity, Statesville, NC

2001 Convention Workbook