LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 20-21, 2003, Page 1

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MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
January 20-21, 2003
St. Louis, Missouri
111. Call to Order
Chairman Walter Tesch called the meeting to order with all members present. Wilbert Sohns, who served
as chaplain for the meeting, provided an opening devotion.
112. Approval of Handbook Revisions by pro tem Commission on Structure (02-2271)
The Commission continued its review of the “Revised Handbook” project of the pro tem Commission on
Structure. It was agreed that a smaller committee of the Commission composed of Walter Tesch, Albert
Marcis, Wilbert Sohns, and Raymond Hartwig will make a special effort to complete the review and will
report its findings to the entire Commission.
113. Application of 2001 Resolution 3-07A (02-2294)
In a July 30, 2002 letter to the chairman of the Commission, a pastor questioned a particular interpretation
of Resolution 3-07A that had been circulated in the Synod. He asked whether he could submit the
following question to the Commission for a ruling. The Commission grants that as an ordained minister
and member of the Synod he is entitled to submit his question.
Question:

What does Resolution 3-07A mean and how should it be applied in the church?

Opinion: The confessional position of the Synod, which every member of the Synod accepts without
reservation, is set forth in Article II of the Constitution: “1. The Scriptures of the Old and the New
Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice; 2. All the
Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and
exposition of the Word of God….” Conditions for acquiring and holding membership in the Synod
according to Article VI 1 includes “Acceptance of the confessional basis of Article II.” Article VIII C of
the Constitution states: “All matters of doctrine and conscience shall be decided only by the Word of God.
All other matters are decided by a majority vote.”
For the guidance and use of the Synod, the Synod also recognizes that doctrinal resolutions and
statements of the Synod may be adopted by conventions. Bylaw 1.09 a states: “The Synod, in seeking to
clarify its witness or to settle doctrinal controversy, so that all who seek to participate in the relationships
that exist within and through the Synod may benefit and may act to benefit others, shall have the right to
adopt doctrinal resolutions and statements which are in harmony with Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions.”
Doctrinal resolutions may be adopted by the Synod for the information, counsel, and guidance of the
membership. Pursuant to Bylaw 1.09 b, such doctrinal resolutions “shall conform to the confessional
position of the Synod as set forth in Article II of its Constitution,” are adopted in the same manner as
other resolutions, and “are to be honored and upheld until such time as the Synod amends or repeals
them.”
Doctrinal statements, as compared to resolutions, set forth in greater detail the position of the Synod,
particularly in controverted matters. Doctrinal statements must be subjected to the more rigorous