LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 15–16, 2007, Page 2

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Opinion: Pursuant to Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3, the Commission on Constitutional Matters has incorporated into
the 2007 Handbook changes adopted or called for by the 2007 convention, including those which result
from 2007 Res. 8-05A. Bylaw 1.10.1.2 now reads:
The words of Jesus in Matthew 18:15−20 provide the basis for church discipline for the
local congregation. The same passage also grants Christ’s guidance to all Christians in
seeking to settle other disputes, many of which fall outside the purview of church
discipline involving the congregation. In either case, the steps of Matthew 18 should be
applied lovingly in both formal and informal settings. Matthew 18 does not apply directly
in cases of public sin, but face-to-face meetings are required nonetheless, even in the case
of public sin, toward the goal of reconciliation and winning the brother or sister. The
parties and others attempting to effect resolution of a dispute must always remain mindful
that the church has been given the “ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18). Hence,
conflict resolution in the church is to lead to reconciliation, restoring the erring member
in a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1). Its aim is to avoid the adversarial system practiced in
society.
Opinion 06-2484 addressed the question of expulsion from the Synod pursuant to Constitution Art. XIII
and the provisions of Bylaw section 2.14. Opinion 06-2484 recognized in response to the fourth question
therein that “the provisions and processes of the bylaw (expulsion from membership) do not prohibit any
Christian from following the biblical and confessional principles in rebuking a Christian brother or sister
so long as the constitutional responsibilities for ecclesiastical supervision are not being assumed and so
long as the member will also abide by the bylaw when and if it is determined that Bylaw section 2.14
applies.” The opinion further recognized, even before the adoption by the convention of Res. 8-05A, that
publicly rebuking another member for a public sin has not been in conflict with the Bylaws.
In the second resolve of Res. 8-05A, the Synod reaffirmed “the bylaw requirement of face-to-face
meetings, even in the case of public sin, toward the goal of reconciliation and winning the brother or
sister.” Since the question raised in Opinion 06-2484 dealt with those same mutual covenants and
agreements under which a member may be expelled, including the goal of reconciliation, the answer to
Question 8 in Opinion 06-2484 is unaffected by this 2007 Res. 8-05A. That portion of the opinion reads
as follows:
Question 8:

Do the words in the bylaw, “this provision of Matthew 18:15 shall be
followed,” make the following of this provision incumbent upon members
of the Synod by reason of the fact that the provision is in Matthew 18:15?
If so, why? If not, why not?

Opinion: The Standard Operating Procedures Manual that serves as a comprehensive
procedures manual for the provisions set forth in Bylaw section 2.14, states, “Matthew 18
and the Eighth Commandment undergird the bylaws that set forth this Bylaw 2.14
process for expulsion of membership from the Synod. While Matthew 18 provides the
basis for church discipline in a local congregation, it also provides guidance and a pattern
for all Christians and, along with the Eighth Commandment, is to be observed in this
procedure as applicable. The reputations of the accused and accuser are to be protected.”
And further it states, “The primary purpose of Bylaw section 2.14 and the procedure in
this manual is not for the expulsion of a member from the Synod but for repentance and
reconciliation, to win and restore the brother or sister or sister congregation (Matt. 18:15–
20; Gal. 6:1–5; Cf. Bylaws 1.10.1–1.10.1.6)…”

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