LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — October 16–18, 2005, Page 19

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All members of the Synod and of its congregations are to beware of the danger of groups
and activities which divide and splinter the Synod. Synodical and district officers and
board and commission members have a special responsibility to identify divisive and
subversive movements and to avoid them. By their example and advice they are to
conserve and promote the unity of the true faith and the oneness of the Synod.
Accordingly, it is not in harmony with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod for any member of the
Synod or any groups within the Synod to teach publicly, publicly advocate, or promote any position
contrary to the position of the Synod. Dissent activities are to be governed by section 1.8 of the Bylaws of
the Synod to which members have “commit[ted] themselves to act in accordance with” and “under which
they have agreed to live and work together” (Bylaw 1.3.4).
89. Proper Dissent by Members of the Synod (05-2444)
In a September 9, 2005 letter, seven members of the Council of Presidents asked a series of questions
regarding the propriety of various processes of dissent and dispute and the use of the Synod’s dispute
resolution process. After discussion, the Commission agreed to finalize its response at its next meeting.
90. Constitution Article VI Reference to “Heterodox Tract and Missionary Activities” (05-2445)
A pastor of the Synod in a letter dated September 15, 2005, requested information regarding “specific
circumstances that might be considered ‘heterodox tract and missionary activities’” under Article VI of
the Constitution and its application to a particular event sponsored by his congregation. The Commission
advised that he direct his questions to the staff of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations,
adding that the Commission on Constitutional Matters would be pleased to respond to any questions that
remain after such consultation, so long as they pertain to the Commission’s area of responsibility.
91. Missouri District Bylaw Amendments (05-2446)
With a September 29, 2005 letter, an officer of the Missouri District submitted the amendments to the
Missouri District Bylaws that will be proposed to the district’s 2006 convention. After a careful review,
the Commission offers the following suggestions to the district:
•

Article II A 1 (p. 2) – The Commission encourages that the district consider using the wording
provided in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod to describe the office of the president of the
district, as in Synod Constitution Art. XII 7 and Bylaw 4.4.5.

•

Article II D 2 (p. 4) – The Constitution Committee listed under paragraph 2, (although it is a
committee and not a board) better belongs under the following paragraph 3 (mistakenly numbered
“5”) since the Bylaws of the Synod make the committee directly responsible to the district board
of directors (Bylaws 2.2.1 and 2.4.1).

•

Article II E 2–4 (p. 5) – No mention is made of term limitations of circuit counselors.

•

Article III D 11 (p. 9) – It may be a helpful clarification to insert the word “staff” after the word
“salaried.”

•

Article IV A 1–2 (p. 10) – The Commission again encourages that the district consider using the
wording provided in the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod (see first bullet above) for the sake
of consistency with the documents of the Synod.

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