# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_December 5 1992_S10
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Among other things, the District President will review previous or present attempts at
counseling with the pastor and his wife. If possible, he will seek out new initiatives for renewal
and leave no possibility untapped that could work toward reconciliation.
1.

Constitution Article VI 3 clearly states that among the conditions to be met for acquiring and
holding membership are:
Regular call of pastors ... and regular election of lay delegates by the congregation, as also the
blamelessness of the life of such.
The Commission on Constitutional Matters holds that the "life of such" refers to all who are identified
in Article VI 3. The conduct of persons in ministry and life, and marriage is a part of the life of such
persons who are married, the term, "blamelessness," is also to be applied to this aspect of their lives.

1.

Article VI 1 states as a condition of acquiring and holding membership in the Synod,
Acceptance of the confessional basis of Article II which states that,
The Synod and every member of the Synod, accepts without reservation:
1. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the written Word of God and the only
rule and norm of faith and practice.
Obviously then, the strictures of Matthew 18 are to be observed and followed by all members of the
Synod.
The Commission on Constitutional Matters does not determine facts. Without knowing them, it is
impossible to say what Matthew 18 would require of a pastor "in such a circumstance." If, however,
the pastor has been sinned against by the District President, Matthew 18 provides the direction to be
followed.

1.

Once again the Commission on Constitutional Matters notes that it does not determine facts. As
stated earlier, neither the Constitution nor Bylaws speak specifically to the issue. The authority of the
Council of Presidents to promulgate guidelines cannot be denied but they do not have the authority of
the Constitution or Bylaw. If, however, a pastor does not accept the fact that his district president has
supervisory responsibility for the doctrine and life of the pastors in his district as the Constitution and
Bylaws of the Synod require, such refusal to submit to that authority would constitute a violation of
the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.

21. Adjournment : Having completed its work, the Commission adjourned its meeting after identifying
March 27, 1993 as a future meeting date, if needed.
Walter L Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
March 27, 1993