LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 125

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SYNOD REPORTS
Conclusion
The last several years have indeed brought challenges and changes.
However, because we have remained true to our commitment to serve
LCMS ministries, those that are challenged are making strides in
meeting their mission to serve their communities and reach out with
the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And this support is made possible
by the commitment and dedication of loyal—fiercely loyal—investors with a passion and drive to ensure resources are available to help
build God’s kingdom.
We encourage all of our national and district staff members and
volunteers to seek God’s guidance in turning any perceived “roadblocks” into opportunities to serve and support ministries’ efforts to
share His Word. We seek to share the resources entrusted to us, the talents of our staff and volunteers, as we are guided by the Lord and the
Holy Scriptures. We seek to be a catalyst for energizing ministry, and
we thank God for the opportunity to serve every day. Soli Deo Gloria!
Randall J. Peterson, Chairman
Richard C. Robertson, President/CEO

125

Under the above principles of LCMS polity, the Commission on
Constitutional Matters has the self-understanding that the members of
the Synod are carrying out what they themselves decide as expressed
and set forth in the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions
through the delegation of responsibilities given to the commission
with precisely defined service functions.
As is true for the Synod itself and all its agencies, the commission is a servant that carries out a “necessary” and “salutary” function
(cf. the word “arrangements” in the quotes above) for the Synod as
authorized by the Synod.
Historically, the commission has been responsible for providing the primary service function of the interpretation of the Synod’s
Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions, thereby assisting the members of the Synod in carrying out the Synod’s polity in a fitting and
orderly manner so that, as observed above, the Means of Grace can
be utilized and can be put into operation, and we can more effectively
spread the kingdom of God.
Functions
INTERPRETATION

R6-06

Commission on Constitutional Matters
Preface

In his presidential address at the 1896 convention of the Synod,
which celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the Synod, President
Henry C. Schwann said:
What is the purpose which our ecclesiastical polity is to serve? None
other than the sole, lofty, vast and eternal purpose: the honor of God
and the salvation of men. ... For that purpose He has given His Son, His
Spirit, His Word, and His Sacraments. This purpose is to be served by
everything in heaven and on earth. ... But how? Do we claim that this
polity is the means of grace whereby His good and gracious will is fulfilled? Never! Such means, means of grace, only He who is the liberal
Lord of Grace can institute. ... If the Word is to be preached and the
Sacraments administered, then various discussions, decisions, arrangements, and orders concerning time, place, and manner are necessary.
Without them even the smallest congregation cannot function. How
much more essential are these when several congregations, motivated
by the Love of Christ, join together in preaching the Word and administering the Sacraments to those who do not have them. But, note well!
These arrangements are not means of grace but simple, outward means
of assistance so that the means of grace can be utilized and can be put
into operation. This is what our Church polity is to achieve. No more, no
less. (Proceedings, 1896, p. 18, emphases added)

In his 1848 presidential address to the convention, Dr. C. F. W.
Walther stated:
Accordingly there can be no doubt, venerable brethren in office and
respected delegates, that we are not renouncing any right belonging to
us if we as servants of the Church and as members of an ecclesiastical
Synod claim no other power than the power of the Word; for in the
Church where Christ alone rules there dare and can be no other power
to which all must submit. To be sure, there are matters which the Word
of God does not regulate, but which must be arranged in the Church; but
all such matters are not to be arranged by any power above the congregation, but the congregation, that is, pastors and hearers, arranges them,
free of every compulsion, as it is necessary and appears salutary. … If,
however, we glance at the conditions in which the Church finds itself
here, we can hardly consider any other constitution as the most salutary
but one under which the congregations are free to govern themselves,
but enter into a synodical organization such as the one existing among
us with the help of God, for enjoying fraternal consultation, supervision,
and aid and to spread the kingdom of God jointly and to make possible
and accomplish the aims of the Church in general. … Also our synodical
body has the same prospects of salutary influence, if it does not attempt
to operate through any other means than through the power of the Word
of God. (emphases added)

Through its opinions, the commission carries out its primary
responsibility to interpret the collective will of the Synod as stated
in the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod. The commission does not develop board policies and programs, nor does it
supervise their implementation. The commission does not see to it
that the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod are carried out, nor does it have the authority to interpret the Scriptures or
provide a theological opinion. While having no authority over any
officer, board, or commission, the commission does state through
its opinions/interpretations what this Synod of self-governing congregations has reserved unto itself alone and what it has delegated
specifically to others.
The commission’s authorized function of interpreting assists the
members of the Synod in the clarification and understanding of the
Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions, thereby helping to promote
harmony and to prevent self-will, self-ambition, controversy, dissension, and division. This function of interpretation is stressed in the
Bylaws of the Synod (Bylaws 3.9.2–3.9.2.2.3).
An interpretation challenge facing a Commission on Constitutional
Matters is that while the commission’s members accept without reservation the Scriptures and the Confessions (the confessional basis of
Art. II of the Constitution), the commission is limited to and charged
only to interpret the Synod’s covenant (a human document), that is,
the Constitution (to which all who wish to be and remain members
of the Synod shall subscribe), Bylaws, and resolutions of the human
organization called the Synod. As an example, the Synod’s various
theological positions may not be explicit conditions of membership
in the Synod according to our Constitution (a voluntary human covenant). There may be divinely mandated scriptural principles not
explicitly a part of the required provisions, order, regulations, processes, and procedures of the human covenant of love. Thus the task
for the commission, with its Synod-given authority, is to interpret
only the latter.
CONSULTATION

While the commission may consult Synod’s legal counsel, and
anyone or group it chooses, such as an officer, a board, or a commission of the Synod, the commission must “notify an officer or
agency of the Synod if a request for an opinion involves an activity
of that officer or agency and shall allow that officer or agency to submit in writing information regarding the matter(s) at issue” (Bylaw
3.9.2.2 [b]).
2013 Convention Workbook