LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 29, 2003, Page 9

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Requiring a doctrinal statement, doctrinal formulation, or statement of belief in place of or in addition to
the synodically adopted (according to the Synod’s established procedures) doctrinal resolutions and
statements which are in harmony with Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions (Bylaws 1.09 and 2.39) as
a condition for fellowship with one another is also a violation of the covenant relationship in the Synod
and destroys the “walking together” as a Synod. Divergent confessional or doctrinal resolutions and
statements cannot coexist in the Synod without serious disturbance of the members. “Refusal to comply
with these provisions as well as active promotion of non-compliance constitute divisive and unbrotherly
conduct which destroys the very concept of the Synod as ‘a walking together’”(CCM Goetjen Opinion,
Minutes #554, June 12, 1967).
When congregations and ordained and commissioned ministers join the Synod, they voluntarily enter a
covenant relationship with all other members. They agree to the reason for forming a synodical union, a
“walking together” to prevent schism according to the example of the apostolic church, Acts 15: 1-31
(Constitution Preamble, “Reason for the Forming of a Synodical Union”). They agree together in their
scriptural and confessional subscription (Article II; Bylaw 1.03), which members accept without
reservation and in the carrying out of the objectives of the Synod (Article III).
The first object of the Synod under Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions is to “conserve and promote
the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4: 3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10)…and provide a united defense against schism,
sectarianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy”(Article III 1).
Committed to a common confession, member congregations voluntarily “join with one another in the
Synod to support one another and to work together in carrying out their commonly adopted objectives”
(Bylaw 1.01). In joining the Synod,
.… members agree to uphold the confessional position of the Synod (Art. II) and to assist
in carrying out the objectives of the Synod (Art. III), which are objectives of the members
themselves. Thus, while congregations of the Synod are self-governing (Art. VII), they,
and also individual members, commit themselves as members of the Synod to act in
accordance with the synodical Constitution and Bylaws under which they have agreed to
live and work together and which the congregations alone have the authority to adopt or
amend through conventions. (Bylaw 1.05 d)
As such,
The Synod (emphasis added), 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. (Bylaw 1.09.a)
Since it is the duty of every member to “diligently and earnestly (emphasis added) promote the purposes
of the Synod by word and deed” (Bylaw 2.35), and it is understood that the “Constitution, Bylaws and all
other rules and regulations of the Synod apply to all congregational and individual members of the
Synod” (Bylaw 2.39 a), the “members of the Synod are expected as part of the life together within the
synodical fellowship to honor and to uphold the resolutions of the Synod” (Bylaw 2.39 c). This includes
honoring and upholding by the mercies of God those resolutions of the Synod that encourage and allow
for Christian liberty and pastoral and congregational freedom (e.g., 1969 Resolution 2-17 on women’s
suffrage [Cf.. CCM Opinion January 23, 1970]; 2001 Resolution 3-07A, “To Commend ‘The Lutheran
Understanding of Church Fellowship’ and CTCR Report on the Synodical Discussions” – V. “Response
to Specific Concerns, B. Cases of Discretion”).
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