LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 13–19, 2007, Page 5

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G. Face-to-Face
The nature of the meeting in person between the complainant and the respondent in the manner of Matthew
18:15. E-mail, surface mail, fax, or telephone call (or any combination thereof) will not satisfy the
requirement of a face-to-face meeting. This meeting is an essential step in the process following the
submission of a complaint.
H.

Faculty
As defined by Bylaw 3.8.2.7, “the president, the full-time faculty and the part-time faculty” of the seminary.

I.

Hearing Facilitator
The fifth member of a Review Committee, chosen by the Secretary of the Synod from the Synod’s roster of
25 hearing facilitators (Bylaw 1.10.12) as required by Bylaw 3.8.2.7.9 (d) (2). The hearing facilitator serves
as chairman of the Review Committee.

J.

Informal Reconciliation Effort
Includes all efforts of the complainant and respondent to reconcile a complaint and must include a face-toface meeting. The president of the seminary is required to assist in this attempt (Bylaw 3.8.2.7.9 [a] [1]). In
such case as the president is the respondent, the chairman of the board of regents assumes the role of
assisting in this attempt (Bylaw 3.8.2.7.9 [a] [2]).

K.

Limited Activities
The relieving by the president or board of regents of a respondent’s teaching and/or administrative duties
pending final resolution of a conflict when in the best interest of the seminary (Bylaw 3.8.2.7.9 [e]) or parties
involved. Contractual obligations of the seminary shall, however, continue to be honored until the matter is
resolved.

L.

Parties to the Matter
In the narrow sense, the complainant and the respondent. If the complainant is a board or commission or
district, it shall be represented by its chairman or a designated member. In a broader sense, the members of
the panel and the board of regents are also parties to the matter.

M. Private Hearing
The nature of all hearings conducted by a Review Committee, such hearings to include only the panel, the
complainant and respondent, and any witnesses called upon to substantiate facts relevant to the complaint.
Unless otherwise decided by the committee, witnesses are allowed to be present only while giving their
testimony.
N.

Request for Opinion
A request for an opinion from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (in matters of doctrine and
doctrinal application) or the Commission on Constitutional Matters (in matters requiring constitution and
bylaw interpretation) made through the Review Committee (which shall determine the wording of the
question[s]), to be made within four weeks of the selection of the Review Committee or later only by or with
the approval of the committee. Opinions received must be followed by the Review Committee.

O. Reply of Respondent
A written response by the accused party to a complaint, submitted to the board of regents and the
complainant and containing factual assertions in response to the complainant’s written statement of the
matter in dispute (Bylaw 3.8.2.7.9 [c]).
P.

Respondent
The named member of the faculty or administration of a college or university of the Synod in a complaint
submitted to the board of regents of the institution under Bylaw 3.8.2.7.9 (a).

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