LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 252

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252 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION

WHEREAS, This official opinion of the CCM is stated as
“binding on the question decided unless and until it is overruled
by a synodical convention” (Bylaw 3.905 d); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod overrule this CCM opinion and
revise it to exclude the reference to “nondoctrinal resolutions”
and to state simply that congregations may not apply the
inexpediency clause of Art. VII to the provisions of the synodical
Constitution (especially Art. I], which states that Holy Scripture
and the Lutheran Confessions are the confessional basis of the
Synod and its members); and be it further

Resolved, That no majority vote by any member, board,
commission, or other entity of Synod—even though the matter
voted on may state that it is a matter not of doctrine or
conscience—can void the right and duty of member
congregations to subject matters of doctrine and conscience to the
Word of God and to decide whether or not all other matters are
expedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod direct its officers, Districts, boards
and commissions, and all other synodical entities to uphold the
principles that the Synod is advisory and that congregations are
self-governing under the Word of God, as provided in our
synodical Constitution, while disavowing any efforts to conceive
of the Synod as a controlling or coercive entity over against its
members.

St. Matthew, Huber Heights, OH; Our Shepherd,
Cambridge, MD

7-42

To Honor Synod’s Commitment to Congregations

Wuereas, In Art. VII of its Constitution, the Synod declares it-
self to be in an advisory relationship with all its members (congre-
gations, pastors, teachers, deaconesses, DCEs, and parish assis-
tants); and

WHEREAS, The Synod honors such a relationship whenever it
engages in evangelical dialogue, conversation, encouragement
(“[we] beseech you ... by the mercies of God,” Rom. 12:]), and
similar communication; and

WHEREAS, The Synod dishonors and violates the relationship
whenever it attempts to coerce, legislate, dictate, and direct (““con-
gregations shall or must or are expected to”); and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has re-
cently (Sept. 14, 1999) ruled “Thus, in answer to the question to
the Commission, the phrase ‘inexpedient as far as the condition of
a congregation is concerned,’ does not refer to the Constitution and
Bylaws of the Synod and is restricted to resolutions adopted by a
convention of the Synod which are non-doctrinal in nature”; and

Wuereas, The above ruling violates the clear wording of Art.
VI:

In ils relation 10 its members the Synod is not an ecclesiasti-
cal government! exercising legisiative or coercive powers, and
with respect 1o the individual congregation's right of self-gov-
ernment it is bul an advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution
of the Synod imposing anything upon the individual congrega-
tion is of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word
of God or if it appears lo be inexpedient as far as the condition
of a congregation is concerned;

and

WHEREAS, The words above (“is but an advisory body,” “‘no res-
olution,” “of binding force”) clearly indicate that the Commission
on Constitutional Matters has violated the Synod’s promise and
covenant not to become a legislative or coercive body; and

Wuereas, Dr. C. F. W. Walther in his first presidential address
stated: “According to the constitution under which our synodical
union exists, we have merely the power to advise one another, that
we have only the power of the Word, and of convincing”; there-
fore be it

2001 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That the Synod in convention overrule the above
Sept. 14, 1999, ruling of the Commission on Constitutional Mat-
ters; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention assure its members that
it honors its historic “advisory body” relationship with its members
with regard to all resolutions, Bylaws, doctrinal statements, rulings,
and presidential announcements.

First
Lueerne, CA

7-43

To Affirm the Congregational Polity of LCMS

WurereaS, Art. VII of the Constitution of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod states: “In its relation to its members the
Synod is not an ecclesiastica] government exercising legislative or
coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s
right of self-government it is but an advisory body”; and

Wuereas, A public statement on the synodical Internet Web
site called “Our Synodical Polity” states in slide 12 of 18, “We
have a synodical rather than a congregational polity,” a characteri-
zation which is in conflict with the above quoted Art. VII; therefore
be it

Resolved, That this statement be revised to read, “We have a
congregational polity”; and be it further

Resolved, That in all official publications of the Synod, the
polity of the Synod be described as “congregational.”

St. James
Myrtle Point, OR

7-44
To Maintain Rights of Congregations

Rationale

The last synodical convention Res. 7-06A gave the President of
the Synod supervisory powers that could cause the suspension or
removal of the District President or other pastors. This power
changes the relationship between the Synod and its member con-
gregations to the extent that the Synod can overturn a District’s de-
cision to elect its own President; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention rescind Res. 7-06A. At
the same time the principles of advice, encouragement, counsel,
and convincing from the Word of God alone should be employed in
resolving difficulties instead of authority of position or legislative
power; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod once again affirm Art. VII of the Con-
stitution that in relationship to its congregations the Synod is advi-
sory only and that congregations have the right to determine
whether synodical resolutions are consistent with the Word of God.

Abiding Savior
Lake Forest, CA

7-45
To Overrule CCM Ruling re Art. VII

WuerEAS, The historic relationship between the Synod and its
members is that “the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government ex-
ercising legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the in-
dividual congregation’s rights of self-governance it is but an advi-
sory body” (Synod Constitution, Art. VIL); and

WHEREAS, Further, “No resolution of the Synod imposing any-
thing upon the individual congregation is of binding force if it is
not in accordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be inex-
pedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned”
(Synod Constitution, Art. VIT); and

WHEREAS, The clear meaning and intent of this article is estab-
lished in such honored historical documents, such as C. F. W.