# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_April 29 2003_S19
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Question 2:

If the answer to question number one is "no," are subsequent decisions of the CCM, in
which he participated, valid?

Opinion: The Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod are silent on this question, and since the
Commission renders its decisions on the basis of consensus, one such person does not invalidate the
opinion of the Commission.
Question 3:

If the answer to question one is "yes," is it necessary for other members of the Synod to any
longer abide by the bylaws?

Opinion: Members of the Synod commit themselves “to act in accordance with the synodical
Constitution and Bylaws under which they have agreed to live and work together and which the
congregations alone have the authority to adopt or to amend through conventions” (Bylaw 1.05 d). Bylaw
2.39 a also states, “The Constitution, Bylaws, and all other rules and regulations of the Synod apply to all
congregational and individual members of the Synod.”
156. Request for Reconsideration of CCM Opinion re Ecclesiastical Supervision (03-2338)
An ordained minister of the Synod, in a letter dated February 24, 2003, “respectfully petition[ed] the
Commission to reconsider its recent decision concerning a contemplated disciplinary action when the
offending party acted with the full knowledge and approval of his ecclesiastical supervisor.” After brief
discussion, the chairman of the Commission asked its members to send their thoughts to him via letter for
further consideration by the Commission in drafting its response.
157. Adjournment
The allotted time for the meeting having expired, the meeting was adjourned with words of benediction.

Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary

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