LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — October 31–November 1, 2009, Page 3

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Grammatical exegesis (deriving the meaning of a text), looking at the text as a literary
document with a literary context and historical setting. Grammar, logical discourse, word
meaning, and word usage are of utmost importance.
Intended sense, recognizing that the author intended one, simple, seminal, certain, literal,
ordinary, natural sense—not several meanings.
Immediate context, noting the “passages,” titles, subtitles, and section(s) immediately
surrounding the text.
Broader context, taking into consideration the entire chapter and/or document and its
interrelationship with the text in question.
Self-interpretation, allowing the governing document to interpret itself and its parts.
Unity, recognizing the overall polity of the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the
Synod and their unity of authorship, content, function, and purpose.
Constitutional priority, allowing the Constitution of the Synod to control and supersede
the Bylaws and all other rules and regulations.
Clarity, granting that a text’s clarity or lack thereof may be due to the blindness of the
interpreter (“The sun is not less bright because a blind man cannot see it”—Gerhard).
History, taking into consideration the genesis and historical context of a passage from the
Constitution, Bylaws, or resolutions of the Synod.

3. Understanding the Use of Research by the Commission before Arriving at an
Opinion/Interpretation
The commission is careful to utilize, as much as possible, basic and thorough research before
arriving at its opinions. Such research includes in every case:
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The handbooks of the Synod, past and present. The first English language Handbook was
produced and published in 1924. A collection of handbooks is maintained in the Office of
the Secretary and is consulted regularly.
Convention workbooks and proceedings to study resolutions past and present--their
origin and intended purpose. A collection of workbooks and proceedings is maintained in
the Office of the Secretary and is consulted regularly.
All relevant CCM opinions from 1965 to the present, honoring their binding nature while
noting relevant constitution and bylaw changes/amendments since they were issued.
Members of the CCM have access to an electronic collection of CCM minutes from 1965
to the present.

121. Authority of the Board of Directors (09-2564)
In an August 11, 2009 letter, a pastor of the Synod requested the commission’s response to a series of
questions regarding the announced decision of the Board of Directors to proceed with the sale of
Radio Station KFUO-FM. After consideration of input received from the Board of Directors, the
Board for Communication Services, and the Synod’s legal counsel, the commission agreed to seek
further opportunity for dialogue with the board before issuing its opinion.
123. Interpretation of “Another Capacity” in Bylaw 3.8.3.8.7 (b) (09-2565)
In a letter dated September 14, 2009, a member of the Synod requested interpretation of Bylaw
3.8.3.8.7 (b) and its requirement that a faculty member terminated for reasons not related to
competency or faithfulness be offered opportunity to serve “in another capacity.” The commission
asked the Secretary to request that the Board for University Education and the Board of Regents of
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