LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 335

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OPINIONS OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 335

congregations and other members obligate themselves to fulfill
such requirements and to diligently and earnestly promote the pur-
poses of the Synod by word and deed. Members agree to uphold
the confessional position of the Synod (Constitution, Art. II) and
to assist in carrying out the objectives of the Synod (Constitution,
Art. III), which are the objectives of the members themselves.
Thus, while congregations of the Synod are self-governing (Consti-
tution, Art. VII), they, and also individual members, commit them-
selves as members of the Synod to act in accordance with the Con-
stitution and Bylaws of the Synod under which they have agreed
to live and work together and which the congregations alone have
the authority to adopt or amend through conventions” (Bylaw
1.3.4).

iv “A congregation shall be received into membership only after
the Synod has convinced itself that the constitution of the congre-
gation, which must be submitted for examination, contains nothing
contrary to the Scriptures or the Confessions\” (Constitution, Art.
VI5).

v “To apply for membership in the Synod a congregation shall
have an approved constitution and bylaws. (a) The congregation
shall submit its constitution and bylaws to the appropriate district
president, who shall refer such to the standing committee of the
district....(b) The Constitution Committee shall examine the consti-
tution and bylaws to ascertain that they are in harmony with Holy
Scriptures, the Confessions, and the teachings and practices of the
Synod in order that any necessary changes may be made by the
congregation before the application is acted upon” (Bylaw 2.2.1).

vi “A congregation desiring to retain membership in The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod shall continue to have a con-
stitution and bylaws approved by the Synod. (a) A member con-
gregation which revises its constitution or bylaws or adopts a new
constitution or bylaws shall, as a condition to continued eligibility
as a member of the Synod, submit such revised or new constitution
and/or bylaws to the district president.....(d) Upon favorable ac-
tion by the district board of directors, the congregation shall be no-
tified that the changes are acceptable to the Synod and that the con-
gregation is entitled to continue to function as a member of the
Synod in good standing under the new or changed constitution or
bylaws” (Bylaw 2.4.1).

vii “(a) It shall be the policy of the Synod to decline member-
ship to congregations whose constitutions deny membership or
other congregational privileges to any Christian because of race or
ethnic origin” (Bylaw 2.3.1).

viii “Committed to a common confession and mission, congre-
gations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod join with one
another in the Synod to support one another and to work together in
carrying out their commonly adopted objectives....” (Bylaw 1.1.1).

ix “Congregations together establish the requirements of mem-
bership in the Synod (Constitution, Art. VI). In joining the Synod,
congregations and other members obligate themselves to fulfill
such requirements and to diligently and earnestly promote the pur-
poses of the Synod by word and deed. Members agree to uphold
the confessional position of the Synod (Constitution, Art. II) and
to assist in carrying out the objectives of the Synod (Constitution,
Art. IID), which are the objectives of the members themselves.
Thus, while congregations of the Synod are self-governing (Consti-
tution, Art. VII), they, and also individual members, commit them-
selves as members of the Synod to act in accordance with the Con-
stitution and Bylaws of the Synod under which they have agreed
to live and work together and which the congregations alone have
the authority to adopt or amend through conventions” (Bylaw
1.3.4).

x “Whereas, We have been called Lutheran since the formation
of our Synod (and since reformation times) and are thankful for our
doctrinal background and heritage; and Whereas, The name
Lutheran clearly identifies what the member congregations and The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod believe, teach and confess; and
Whereas, Basic Christian honesty and integrity require that no de-
ception of any sort be used in declaring the truth of the Gospel be-
fore all the world, as St. Paul declares: ‘Rather we have renounced
secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we dis-

tort the Word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth
plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the
sight of God’ (2 Cor. 4:2); therefore be it Resolved, That all con-
gregations and mission stations in our Synod boldly profess in their

- official title and/or name that they are ‘Lutheran’; and be it further

Resolved, That all congregations and mission stations of our Synod
state in their materials (bulletins, newsletters, etc.) that they belong
to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and be it finally Re-
solved, That all LCMS congregations gladly proclaim our great
doctrinal heritage to a world that needs the clear proclamation of
the truth” (1995 Res. 3-13A, “To Use the Name Lutheran”).

xi ““(a) Pastors and congregations alike must avoid membership
or participation in any organization that in its objectives, cere-
monies, or practices is inimical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ or the
faith and life of the Christian church....” (Bylaw 3.9.6.3.1).

xii “(a) It shall be the policy of the Synod to decline member-
ship to congregations whose constitutions deny membership or
other congregational privileges to any Christian because of race or
ethnic origin” (Bylaw 2.3.1 [a]).

xiii “Congregations that are members of the Synod shall call
and be served only by ordained ministers who have been admitted
to their respective ministries in accordance with the rules and reg-
ulations set forth in these Bylaws and have thereby become mem-
bers of the Synod” (Bylaw 2.5.2).

xiv “Congregations that are members of the Synod shall call
only commissioned ministers who have been admitted to their min-
istries in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth in these
Bylaws and have thereby become members of the Synod” (Bylaw
2.5.3).

xv “Congregations shall seek the counsel of their respective dis-
trict presidents when calling ordained or commissioned ministers”
(Bylaw 2.5.1).

xvi “(1) Every congregation is encouraged to include in its orga-
nizational structure an elected or appointed board or committee for
stewardship. (2) This board or committee shall be responsible for
carrying on an adequate stewardship program in a manner pre-
scribed by the congregation”

1. Historically, The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the
Pope, not listed in Article II, has often been considered to be in-
cluded in the Smalcald Articles.

2. Some congregations include a fourth category: “Guest mem-
bers. 1989 Synod Convention Resolution 5-19 encouraged such a
category for congregations with many seasonal members, “which
could include such basic rights and privileges as reception of the
sacraments, pastoral care, congregational concern, use of their time,
talents, and treasures in the service of the Lord, and attendance and
participation in voters’ assemblies as advisory or associate mem-
bers” (1989 Convention Proceedings, p. 140).

3. Variations often occur in the last two categories. Some con-
gregations distinguish between communicant and confirmed mem-
bers due to the practice of early communion, in which case further
definitions will be necessary.

4. 1969 Synod Resolution 2-17 concluded that “Scripture does
not prohibit women from exercising the franchise in congregational
or synodical assemblies,” at the same time concluding that “the
Synod itself and the congregations of the Synod are at liberty to
alter their policies and practices in regard to women’s involvement
in the work of the church” (1969 Convention Proceedings, p. 88).

5. The matter of termination of membership is of great impor-
tance since it involves the larger subject of Church Discipline. It is
therefore advisable that congregations prepare and adopt separate
guidelines to address this topic, especially keeping in mind the fol-
lowing:

1. Be consistent in applying discipline.

2. Carefully follow disciplinary guidelines.

3. Do not allow unsubstantiated charges to be circulated by the
church.

4. Base decisions on clearly stated biblical grounds.

2007 Convention Workbook