LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 127

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SYNOD REPORTS
confessional, and historical basis for Art. VI of the Synod’s Constitution and the current and historic bylaws that elucidate the article. …
That following the study, the Commission on Handbook, in consultation
and concurrence with the Synod President, the Commission on Constitutional Matters, and the Council of Presidents, submit a proposal to
clarify and affirm or amend Art. VI to the next convention of Synod. …”

A consultation was held with the President on Sept. 3, 2011. On
Sept. 27, 2011, the commission shared with the President pertinent
resource documents that could be included in the study. The commission is not aware of the progress of this study.
At its Feb. 10–12, 2012, meeting, the commission did issue
Opinion 11-2598 (printed in Appendix I of this Convention
Workbook), which referred to the 2010 convention resolution and
again urged its timely implementation: “In Res. 8-30B, the 2010 convention of the Synod resolved to study Art. VI. Its second Whereas
paragraph indicated in part the urgency of this study: ‘Whereas,
Concerns have been expressed throughout the history of the Synod,
including recently, about the proper understanding and application
of Art. VI with respect to the conditions or requirements for acquiring and holding or retaining membership in the Synod.’ These 2010
concerns of the convention echo the 1981 entreaties of President
Preus to give this matter our attention. The commission urges the
timely implementation of this convention resolution including its second-last resolve paragraph: ‘Resolved, That following the study, the
Commission on Handbook, in consultation and concurrence with
the Synod President, the Commission on Constitutional Matters, and
the Council of Presidents, submit a proposal to clarify and affirm or
amend Art. VI to the next convention of Synod.’”
Res. 8-32B “That the President of the Synod implement a synodwide study of the document, CONGREGATIONS OF THE SYNOD,
Background Materials on the Advisory Nature of the LCMS, together
with the CCM opinion and any other helpful historical materials (historical bylaws, convention resolutions, etc.) between now and the next
convention of the Synod. … That following the study, the Commission
on Handbook, in consultation and concurrence with the Synod President, the Commission on Constitutional Matters, and the Council of
Presidents, submit a proposal to clarify and affirm or amend Art. VII to
the next convention of Synod….”

Following the consultation with the President on Sept. 3, 2011,
the commission on Oct. 13, 2011, shared with the President pertinent
resource documents that could be included in the study. The commission is not aware of the progress of this study.
OPINIONS

While not all commission opinions are of consequence to the
entire Synod, those opinions of broad significance during the triennium are provided in the 2013 Convention Workbook, Appendix I. The
titles of some of these are as follows:
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Ecclesiastical Supervisory Responsibilities of a District President
(10-2581)
Supervision of Doctrine and Practice of Pastors and Congregations
of the Synod (11-2589)
Issues Related to Election of President of Synod (11-2592)
Interpretation of Constitution Art. VI 2 b (11-2598)
Implementation of New Synod Structure (11-2600)
Fellowship Within the Synod (11-2610)
Authority of a District President (11-2616)
Role of CTCR and CCM Opinions, Doctrinal Statements and
Resolutions (12-2634)
Questions re Ecclesiastical Supervisor’s Responsibilities during
Expulsion Proceedings (12-2650)
Questions re “Actual Partiality or the Appearance Thereof” (12-2651)
Fairness and Due Process Questions Received from Final Hearing
Panel (12-2659)

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127
Special Hearing Panel Procedures and Role of the Administrator
(12-2660)
“Unalterable Articles” in the Constitutions of Congregations
(13-2663)

PDF files containing selected prior commission opinions since the
2001 convention are posted on the Synod Web site.
GUIDELINES FOR CONGREGATIONS’ CONSTITUTIONS

Congregations become members of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod only after their constitutions and bylaws have been
approved by a constitution committee and board of directors of one
of the Synod’s 35 districts. Similarly, upon favorable action by the
district board of directors, a congregation is notified that the changes
to its constitutions and bylaws are acceptable to the Synod, and the
congregation may proceed with formal adoption of the revised constitution and/or bylaws and remain a member in good standing of the
Synod. While no particular form of congregational governance is
required as a condition of membership, the commission, as a service
to the Synod, has issued guidelines for the proper composition of congregations’ constitutions and bylaws so as to avoid omitting required
provisions or including provisions that violate Synod’s covenants. The
current guidelines were revised November 2012. These Guidelines
appear in the 2013 convention Workbook and on the Synod Web site.
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS GOVERNING
POLICIES

Among many commission governing policies, which were revised
in November 2012, are “Understanding the Rules and Principles
of Interpretation Used by the Commission on Constitutional
Matters in Carrying Out Its Responsibility for Interpretation” and
“Understanding the Use of Research by the Commission before
Arriving at an Opinion/Interpretation.” The governing policy document also includes the history of the commission. The CCM
governing policies are available on the Synod Web site.
TEMPLATES FOR DISTRICTS’ ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION

In examining the articles of incorporation of the 35 districts, the
commission has observed unintended aberrations. Understanding that
state laws with respect to incorporation must be observed, the commission will be providing a template to be helpful to the districts as
they revise their articles of incorporation.
JOINT MEETING WITH COMMISSION ON HANDBOOK, THE
PRESIDENT’S OFFICE, CHIEF ADMINSTRATIVE OFFICER,
CHIEF MISSION OFFICER

A fruitful joint meeting was held Nov. 2, 2012, to identify those
areas or issues needing further clarification with respect to the structure and governance matters adopted at the 2010 convention and
surfaced by commission opinion 11-2600. These included, but are
not limited to, the following:
• Definitions of “executive director,” “mission board,” “oversight,”
“supervision,” “report,” “relates to,” “receive direction,” “operating board,” “policy board,” “responsible,” “directed toward”
• The relationship, role, and responsibilities of the Board for
International Mission and the Office of International Mission, the
Board for National Mission and the Office of National Mission
• Budgeting responsibilities
• The relationship of the Chief Mission Officer, the President, and
the executives
• The distinction between “supervision” and “ecclesiastical supervision.” For instance, does the Synod President have “supervision”
2013 Convention Workbook