LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 13, 2003, Page 6

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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Question:

Would a District of the LCMS be in violation of the synodical Constitution should it provide
financial support to a relief agency that is co-sponsored by the LCMS and ELCA if that
agency were funding the startup of a new ELCA congregation?

Opinion: Districts are agencies of the Synod (Bylaw 3.51 a). Accordingly, along with all other officers
and agencies, Districts “shall be accountable to the Synod, and any concerns regarding the decisions of
such officers or agencies may be brought to the attention of the Synod in convention for appropriate
action” (Bylaw 1.07 a). Therefore, questions regarding the propriety of a District’s decisions regarding
providing financial support are to be submitted to conventions of the Synod and not to this Commission.
227. Responsibilities of the Board of Directors and the Executive Power of the President (03-2376)
In a December 2, 2003 e-mailed letter, the President of the Synod submitted a series of questions “arising
from a constitutional conflict extant in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,” questions pertaining to
the constitutional and bylaw responsibilities of the Board of Directors as an officer of the Synod and to
the constitutional and bylaw definitions, boundaries, and limits of the President’s “executive power.” The
Commission agreed to respond to these questions at its next meeting.
228. Adjournment
All business on the agenda of the meeting having been addressed, the meeting was adjourned with words
of benediction.

Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary

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