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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 397

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

INTERNATIONAL WITNESS
differentiate between reports and overtures, defining reports, in
part, as “statements of work performed or contemplated by those
who are charged with conducting the business of the Synod” and
overtures, in part, as “recommendations in the form of proposed
resolutions requesting action on the part of the convention” (see
Bylaw 3.9.2.2.1, which also distinguishes between reports and
overtures); and
WHEREAS, No disposition of these overtures whatsoever is
recorded in the 2016 Proceedings; and
WHEREAS, The document “LCMS Best Practices in Short-Term
Mission” requests congregations to receive approval from the
Synod to be involved in short-term mission trips by referencing the
Bylaws, which has been seen, correctly or incorrectly, as restricting
congregations in “giving bold witness by word and deed” when and
where they see fit (wmltblog.org/2015/01/lcms-best-practices-inshort-term-mission/, accessed 3/9/2018); therefore be it
Resolved, That the resolution quoted above be submitted as an
overture to the 2019 convention by the adoption of this current
resolution; and be it further
Resolved, That the President of Synod be directed to assure that
both the spirit and the provisions of Bylaw 3.9.2.2 (c) are followed
with respect to this resolution and any other resolution that becomes
an overture to the Synod asking for a CCM opinion to be overruled;
and be it finally
Resolved, That also in our agreements in how we will work
together in the Synod, things “be done in a fitting and orderly way”
(I Cor. 14:40 [NIV]).
Christ, Juniata, NE; Christ, Scituate, MA;
Concordia, Lakewood, CO; Our Savior, Rehoboth Beach, DE;
Trinity, Houston, TX; Zion, Mayer, MN
Ov. 2-08

To Overrule Commission on Constitutional
Matters Opinion 14-2724
WHEREAS, The Texas District of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS), at its 2015 convention, adopted the
following resolution which appeared in the 2016 convention
Workbook (p. 318) as Overture 2-04, “To Overrule CCM Opinion
14-2724,” thereby affirming its material accuracy:
See 2019 Ov. 2-03, above, for the complete text of 2016 Ov. 2-04,
“To Overrule CCM Opinion 14-2724.”
and
WHEREAS, Three other LCMS districts, three district boards of
directors, one circuit, and seventeen LCMS congregations also
adopted this resolution; and
WHEREAS, Two other overtures (2016 Ov. 2-07, “To Overrule
CCM Opinion 14-2724” and Ov. 2-09, “To Overrule CCM Opinion
14-2724 and Amend Bylaw 3.8.3”, Workbook, 320–21), submitted
to the 2016 convention, also requested that CCM Op. 14-2724 be
overruled; and
WHEREAS, LCMS Bylaw 3.9.2.2 (c) regarding the Commission
on Constitutional Matters (CCM) says, in part:
3.9.2.2
The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall interpret
the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions upon the written
request of a member (congregation, ordained or commissioned
minister), official, board, commission, or agency of the Synod.
...

397

(c)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. Overtures to a convention that seek to
overrule an opinion of the commission shall support the proposed
action with substantive rationale from the Constitution, Bylaws,
and resolutions of the Synod. All such overtures shall be
considered by the floor committee to which they have been
assigned and shall be included in a specific report to the
convention with recommendations for appropriate action.
...

and
WHEREAS, No such report was given to the 2016 convention of
the Synod, as a report and a resolution (including the resolution
identified as Resolution 2-06A in Today’s Business, 348–50, that
was never brought to the convention floor) are the not the same
thing according to Bylaw 3.1.6.1 and Bylaw 3.1.6.2, which clearly
differentiate between reports and overtures, defining reports, in
part, as “statements of work performed or contemplated by those
charged with conducting the business of the Synod” and overtures,
in part, as “recommendations in the form of proposed resolutions
requesting action on the part of the convention” (cf. Bylaw
3.9.2.2.1, which also distinguishes between reports and overtures);
and
WHEREAS, No disposition of these overtures whatsoever is
recorded in the 2016 Synod convention proceedings; and
WHEREAS, The document “LCMS Best Practices in Short-Term
Mission” requests congregations to receive approval from the
Synod to be involved in short-term mission trips by referencing the
Bylaws, which has been seen, correctly or incorrectly, as restricting
congregations in “giving bold witness by word and deed” when and
where they see fit (wmltblog.org/2015/01/lcms-best-practices-inshort-term-mission/, accessed 3/9/2018); therefore be it
Resolved, That it is his constitutional responsibility (Const. Art.
XI B) that the President of Synod be directed to assure that both the
spirit and the provisions of Bylaw 3.9.2.2 (c) are followed with
respect to this resolution and any other resolution that becomes an
overture to the Synod asking for a CCM opinion to be overruled;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the resolution quoted above be submitted as an
overture to the 2019 convention by the adoption of this current
resolution; and be it further
Resolved, That also in our agreements in how we will work
together in the LCMS, things “be done in a fitting and orderly way”
(1 Cor. 14:40, NIV).
Trinity
Roselle, IL
Ov. 2-09

To Return 2016 Ov. 2-04,
“To Overrule CCM Opinion 14-2724,” for Action
by the 2019 Synod Convention
WHEREAS, CCM Opinion 14-2724, “Synod as the ‘Only
Sending Agency’—Bylaw 3.8.3” states in part, “Congregations
may not send funds to mission societies and non-Synod entities for
work in foreign areas without taking into consideration policies
developed and determined for this purpose by the Board of
International Mission as the only sending agency”; and

2019 Convention Workbook