LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 22, 2007, Page 1

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MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Telephone Conference Meeting
August 22, 2007
221. Call to Order and Prayer
Chairman Albert Marcis called the meeting to order with all members of the commission participating in
the conference call. He called on Don Little to provide an opening prayer.
222. 2007 Res. 8-07S Requirement for Consultation by the President of Synod
Chairman Marcis called attention to the purpose of the meeting, to continue consideration of an earlier
conference call discussion with the President of the Synod (August 15, 2007) in response to 2007
convention Resolution 8-07S, which directed the President to consult with, among others, the
Commission on Constitutional Matters regarding the calling of a special convention.
After discussion, the commission agreed to provide the following response to the President of the Synod:
•

The Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) again affirms the constitutionality of special
conventions, verifies that the requirement of Resolution 8-07S for consultation by the President
with the commission has been met, and reaffirms its availability to respond to questions that may
arise regarding such special conventions.

•

While the commission recognizes that the current structure and governance of the Synod has
developed over the past 150 years in a patchwork manner without the benefit of comprehensive
study of the whole picture of the Synod’s work, and while the commission further recognizes the
role that CCM opinions have sometimes played in that process, it also recognizes that its
responsibilities do not include advising regarding the “urgent necessity” (Constitution, Art. VIII
B 2) of holding a special session of the Synod.

•

While the commission does not view its role as to advocate any particular changes, it does, based
on the commission’s experiences in fulfilling its assigned responsibilities, recognize the following
potential benefits:
1. Restructuring in order to be better organized to work more effectively in support of and
on behalf of congregations, to assist them in carrying out their ministries as they seek to
serve our Lord Jesus Christ, the members of His body, and the world which stands in
need of the Word and the impact of His redeeming love.
2. Restructuring in order to simplify and clarify responsibility and accountability.
3. Restructuring in order to empower and enable those given responsibility (officers,
agencies, etc) for the benefit of the mission.
4. Restructuring for the best use of all the resources available to the Synod.

•

The decision whether the current “circumstances” (Constitution, Article VIII B 1) satisfy the
urgent necessity requirement for calling a special session of the Synod (Constitution, Article VIII
B 2) rightly belongs to the President and district presidents of the Synod.