LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 6–7, 2010, Page 7

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(Adopted 11/7/10)
17. CCM Policy/Operations Review
During its recent meetings, the commission has been reviewing its own internal governing documents for
use in orientation of new commission members and to provide information to the Synod in general
regarding how it goes about the fulfilling of its responsibilities. The following document will therefore be
made generally available in printed form and on the Internet.
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Internal Governing Documents
Commission on Constitutional Matters Procedures (as of November 2010)
1. The Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) exists to interpret the Constitution, Bylaws, and
resolutions of the Synod and to insure that the governing documents of the Synod and its agencies are
in accord with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod (Bylaw 3.9.2). [Cf. Appendix A]
2. The voting members of the Commission on Constitutional Matters consist of three ordained ministers
and two lawyers. The Secretary of the Synod is a nonvoting member of the commission (Bylaw
3.9.2.1).
3. All questions are to be submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters in writing by a
member (congregation, ordained or commissioned minister), official, board, commission, or other
agency of the Synod (Bylaw 3.9.2.2). One exception has been questions submitted to the commission
at conventions of the Synod, some of which were not produced in writing until after the opinion was
rendered. A request for an opinion may be accompanied by a request for an appearance before the
commission (Bylaw 3.9.2.2 [a]).
4. Some questions submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters at convention floor
committee meetings also may not be in writing until after the opinion has been rendered. While
attending floor committee meetings, the commission or individual members thereof may be requested
to provide information to assist the floor committees in their work. Such comments are not formal
opinions of the commission, and such information does not constitute a binding opinion unless
reduced to a formal written opinion and published as such.
5. The Commission on Constitutional Matters is expected, during the course of a convention of the
Synod, to review all proposed amendments or substitute resolutions to ensure that they are in
agreement with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod. Ordinarily such amendments
are printed in Today’s Business. Commission members are expected to attend all sessions of the
conventions of the Synod. In this role as advisory representatives, the commission or members of the
commission may be requested to provide information to assist the convention. Such comments are not
formal opinions of the commission unless reduced to a formal written opinion and published as such.
6. The Commission on Constitutional Matters is required to notify an officer or agency of the Synod if a
request for an opinion involves an activity of that officer or agency, this to allow the officer/agency to
submit in writing information regarding the matter at issue (Bylaw 3.9.2.2 [b]).

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