LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 7, 2003, Page 1

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MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Conference Call
January 7, 2003
106. Call to Order
Chairman Walter Tesch called the meeting to order with all members participating. After welcoming the
Commission’s newest member, Dr. Wilbert Sohns, he called on Raymond Hartwig for an opening prayer.
107. Ecclesiastical Supervision (02-2309)
A District President, in a September 27, 2002 letter that included the signatures of twelve other members
of the Council of Presidents, requested an opinion regarding the consequences of following the advice of
an ecclesiastical supervisor. After lengthy discussion, the Commission agreed to incorporate a number of
changes into existing drafts and continue discussion at its next meeting.
108. Ecclesiastical Supervision (02-2320)
A Dispute Resolution Panel, in a letter received by the Commission on December 26, 2002, submitted a
question on behalf of a party to a dispute regarding the consequences of following the advice of an
ecclesiastical supervisor. After discussion, the Commission agreed to request from the panel a two-week
extension of the 30-day time limit (Bylaw 8.21 i) and to consider a revised draft and continue discussion
at its next meeting.
109. “Review Committee” Membership Requirement (02-2317)
In a November 23, 2002 e-mail letter, a pastor of the Synod asked for a clarification of the requirements
for membership of the particular Review Committee described by Bylaw 6.47 d.
Question:

When dealing with a complaint concerning a professor at one of our Concordia University
System schools, must the complainant select for the “Review Committee” a faculty member
from the same campus, or could he be chosen from one of the other schools in our Concordia
University System?

Opinion: The Commission notes that this requirement in Bylaw 6.47 is made in a context that
consistently references the particular institution, president, and board of regents where the matter in
dispute is taking place. The Commission rules, therefore, that the one faculty member (as well as the one
regent) to be selected by each party to the dispute must be selected from the institution in which the
dispute is taking place.
110. Adjournment
Chairman Walter Tesch asked Wilbert Sohns to serve as chaplain for the Commission’s next meeting in
St. Louis. He then called on Raymond Hartwig to close the meeting with a prayer.

Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary