LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 8, 2003, Page 6

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applies. To rule otherwise would allow any action or any decision of any official or entity of the Synod to
be challenged under Chapter VIII. Such was not the intent of Chapter VIII, as described therein.
142. Development and Use of New Confessional Statements (03-2328)
A pastor of the Synod, in a January 17, 2003 letter, addresses a series of questions to the Commission
regarding the use of confessional statements in addition to those formally adopted by the Synod. After
discussion of draft materials, the Commission agreed to delay action to allow time for further study.
143. Intention of “The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship” (03-2330)
In a January 28, 2003 letter addressed to the secretary of the Commission, a pastor of the Synod asked the
opinion of the Commission concerning the Synod’s understanding of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations document, “The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship.”
Question:

Does the CTCR document “The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship” which was
accepted by convention in 2001 have a bearing on the issue of participation in inter-faith
events or worship services? Is it the opinion of the CCM that when the Synod in convention
in 2001 affirmed this document, that the Synod understood this to refer not only to interChristian interactions but also to inter-faith interactions?

Opinion: The Commission directs the questioner to the very document itself as printed in the 2001
Convention Workbook, pp. 375-87, and the Report in the 2001 Convention Workbook, pp. 48-51.
Regarding interpretation of the content of “The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship” and the
response, such questions should be directed to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
For application of the 2001 Resolution 3-07A, refer to Opinion 02-2294 (January 20-21, 2003) of the
Commission on Constitutional Matters.
144. Adjournment
The meeting was closed with the words of the Benediction spoken by Albert Marcis.

Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary

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