LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — October 21-22, 2002, Page 21

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on the membership of the Synod. It should also be noted that those who dissent should
proceed by following the proper avenues as set forth in Bylaws 1.032 and 1.19 e3.
The Commission on Constitutional Matters finds that the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations itself has attempted to make this clear, but its proposals continue to be
regarded by many as setting forth the official position of the Synod, which is an erroneous
conclusion.
The Synod in convention has recognized and promoted the use of studies of the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations variously. It has in some fashion commended these studies for:
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study (1967 Res. 2-02; 1977 Res. 3-35; 1983 Res. 3-11; 1983 Res. 3-12; 1983 Res. 3-13;
1983 Res. 3-14; 1986 Res. 3-19; 1992 Res. 3-01; 1992 Res. 3-15; 1992 Res. 3-17; 1992 Res.
3-18; 1995 Res. 3-21; 1998 Res. 3-23; 2001 Res. 3-07A)
guidance (1967 Res. 2-02; 1975 Res. 3-05; 1983 Res. 3-14; 1986 Res. 3-03; 1995 Res. 3-20;
2001 Res. 3-07A)
reference (1975 Res. 3-05; 1986 Res. 3-03; 1992 Res. 3-15)
discussion (1967 Res. 2-02)
direction (1992 Res. 3-17)
response (1977 Res. 3-35; 1983 Res. 3-12; 1983 Res. 3-13; 1992 Res. 3-18)
continued use (2001 Res. 3-07A)
as a tool (1992 Res. 3-01).

Several studies were “adopted” as synodical documents for reference and guidance (1967 Res. 2-13) as
presented by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (1965 Res. 2-03; 1965 Res. 2-25). Only
one statement, A Statement of Scripture and Doctrinal Principles, issued by the President of the Synod in
consultation with the Vice-Presidents and evaluated and approved by the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, has in recent times been given doctrinal statement status. None of them, including the
study and response in question which was commended to the Synod “for continued use and guidance”
(Res. 3-07A of the 2001 convention), has been submitted to the process (Bylaw 1.09 c) whereby it has
become a doctrinal statement of the Synod.
1973 Resolution 3-01, stated that A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles, issued by the
President of the Synod in consultation with the Vice-Presidents of the Synod and affirmed by the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations, presents what the Synod throughout its history has
taught and is therefore “neither a new standard of orthodoxy nor a document ‘based on private writings,
but on such books as have been composed, approved, and received in the name of the churches which
pledge themselves to one doctrine and religion’” (FC, SD, Comp. Summary, paragraph 2). It declared A
Statement to be a “more formal and comprehensive statement of belief” in the sense of Resolution 5-24 of
the 1971 convention and further declared that A Statement hold the status that that resolution described:
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm the desirability of the formulation of doctrinal
statements which clearly set forth the teachings of the Holy Scriptures and apply them to
issues of our day; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod clearly state that such doctrinal formulations are subordinate
to the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further
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Current Bylaw 1.09 c
Current Bylaw 2.39 c
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