# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S278
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

278 SYNOD STRUCTURE AND GOVERANCE

WHEREAS, The CCM in effect changes the Synod’s Constitu-
tion by granting immunity from expulsion to those who do not
comply with the conditions of membership so long as they have se-
cured the permission of their ecclesiastical supervisors; and

WHEREAS, A confessionally based Synod cannot endure for long
if its members are no longer held responsible for the words and ac-
tions by which they confess the faith; and

WHEREAS, district and Synod presidents can and may grant their
approval to those under their supervision by way of confidential
communications, making it difficult if not impossible for those who
elect them to know about the immunities they have granted; and

WHEREAS, Extenuating circumstances can be taken into account
wherein a member of the Synod has sought the advice of the ap-
propriate ecclesiastical supervisor in a difficult case; therefore be it

Resolved, That the MNS District in convention memorializes
the 2007 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to
overrule CCM Opinions 02-2296 and 02-2309.

Minnesota South District; South Dakota District; Central
Illinois District;Western Regional Pastors’ Conference,
Missouri District; St. Paul, Brookfield, IL; Holy Cross,
Albany, OR; St. James, Bothell/Mill Creek, WA

8-51

To Overrule CCM Opinion 02-2309
re Ecclesiastical Supervision

WHEREAS, CCM Opinion 02-2309 states, “The Synod is pre-
cluded from taking any action to terminate the membership of its
member who, when performing his/her official duties, follows the
advice and counsel of the ecclesiastical supervisor designated by
the Synod”; and

WHEREAS, This opinion creates the possibility that the Synod
could be precluded from action against a member of the Synod who
is, in fact, acting contrary to conditions of membership per Synod
Constitution Art. VI; and

WHEREAS, Opinion 02-2309 of the CCM in effect improperly
amends Art. XIII of the Synod Constitution; and

WHEREAS, Scripture does not enjoin Christians to deal with ec-
clesiastical supervisors but with the brother who has sinned (Gal.
6:1); and

WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.9.2.2 (b) states, “An opinion rendered by
the commission shall be binding on the question decided unless and
until it is overruled by a convention of the Synod”; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Montana District in convention memorialize the
Synod in convention to overrule Opinion 02-2309 of the CCM.

Montana District

8-52

To Overrule CCM Opinions
re Ecclesiastical Supervision

WHEREAS, Seventeen overtures memorialized the Synod’s 2004
convention concerning the CCM opinions regarding ecclesiastical
supervision (which include 02-2296, 02-2320, 02-2309, 03-2338,
03-2338A, and 03-2338C); and

WHEREAS, Only one of those overtures (8-30) encouraged af-
firming these CCM decisions, one (8-37) recommended review of
these opinions, and 15 (including seven districts) asked that these
CCM decisions be declared “invalid, overruled, overturned, re-
versed,” etc. (CW pp. 303-309, 312); and

WHEREAS, The Synod in its 2004 convention failed to address
these overtures, having never brought them to the floor due to time
constraints; and

WHEREAS, Prior to these opinions—for more than 150 years—

Scripture served as the authority in church governance in the
LCMS; and

WHEREAS, The CCM ruled that the “Constitution and Bylaws
of the Synod do not allow or contemplate the expulsion of a mem-
ber of the Synod on the basis of an action taken with the full knowl-
edge and approval of the appropriate ecclesiastical supervisor” (02-
2296, Reporter, March 2003, p. 10) and further expounded this
decision in the other mentioned opinions; and

WHEREAS, This ruling contradicts Holy Scripture, which re-
peatedly warns against “respect(ing) persons in judgment (Deut.
1:17; see also Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25; James 2:1, 9), “making the word
of God of none effect through (human) tradition” (Mark 7:13),
“teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:7),
and insists that “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29);
and
WHEREAS, The CCM’s stance is also incompatible with the
Lutheran Confessions, which
¢ Teach that “‘no man has the right to cancel an obligation which is de-
rived from divine law” (AC XXVII, 24, Tappert, p. 74); and

¢ Deny that texts like Luke 10:16 and Heb. 13:17 grant ecclesiastical
supervisors any authority beyond the Gospel itself (Apology XXVIII,
17-21, pp. 283-284); and

WuerEAS, A confessionally based Synod cannot endure for long
if its members cease to be held responsible for the words and ac-
tions by which they confess the faith; and

WHEREAS, District and Synod presidents can and may grant
their approval to those under their supervision by way of confiden-
tial communications, making it difficult, if not impossible, for those
who elect them to know about the immunities they have granted;
and

Wrereas, A Dispute Resolution Panel can and may take into
account extenuating circumstances in which a member of the
Synod has sought the advice of the appropriate ecclesiastical su-
pervisor in a difficult case; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention in 2007 overrule Opin-
ion 02-2296 and related opinions of the CCM dealing with ecclesi-
astical supervision; and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Structure propose a bylaw to
the 2010 convention that addresses ecclesiastical supervision and
responsibility in accordance with scriptural and confessional prin-
ciples, not superseding them.

Immanuel, Cedar Lake, WI; Immanuel, Frederic, WI;
Circuit 13 Forum, North Wisconsin District; Immanuel,
Brandon, FL

8-53

To Overrule CCM Opinion 02-2309
re Ecclesiastical Supervision
WHEREAS, The Lord holds each person accountable for their
own actions; and

WHEREAS, The CCM, in its Opinion 02-2309, has said that a
member of Synod cannot be removed from membership for any ac-
tions he takes as long as he has received the permission of his ec-
clesiastical supervisor; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Nebraska District in convention memorialize
the Synod to overrule CCM Opinion 02-2309.

Nebraska District

8-54

To Overrule CCM Opinion 02-2296 and
Reaffirm Scriptural Authority in Church Governance
WHEREAS, The CCM has ruled that the “Constitution and By-
laws of the Synod do not allow or contemplate the expulsion of a
member of the Synod on the basis of an action taken with the full

knowledge and approval of the appropriate ecclesiastical supervi-
sor” (02-2296, Reporter, March 2003, p. 10); and