LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 6–7, 2010, Page 9

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16. All questions/submissions to the Commission on Constitutional Matters are provided to its members
in both electronic and hard copy. The Secretary of the Synod also provides the commission with
copies of all letters mailed on its behalf.
17. General Commission on Constitutional Matters procedures include:
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The commission may meet by either video/teleconference or in person. It is required to meet four
times per year. In the past, the commission’s position has been that it should hold face-to-face
meetings at least two times a year.
The commission’s meetings begin with prayer. Each member may be called upon to provide the
prayer and/or an opening devotion.
The agenda for each commission meeting is provided to members in advance, identifying the
questions for which opinions are requested. While the chair makes assignments in advance of
meetings, any member of the commission is free to write an opinion in answer to a specific
question. The commission then works to reach a consensus at the meeting. Most questions have
been resolved by consensus, but voting is permitted after discussion of issues if necessary.
Historically, while most of the commission’s opinions have been unanimous, in the event a
decision is not unanimous, no minority opinion is to be published. The commission speaks as one
through its opinions or through its chairman. All communication between commission members
relating to commission business (agenda items) is privileged and private.
The commission responds to questions asked in writing, and its opinions are based on the
Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod. If a question relates to a theological issue, the
questioner may be directed to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) for
counsel, or the commission itself may consult with the CTCR before rendering an opinion.
Ordinarily, no opinion is to be shared outside the commission until the minutes of the meeting
that include the opinion have been issued. An exception has been made in cases in which the
Secretary of the Synod has been moved by time constraints to ask for an exception so that he may
notify parties involved.
Draft minutes are provided by e-mail to the commission’s members, and time is allowed for
suggested revisions. When minutes are adopted, they are provided to commission members by email and in hard copy.

[Revised 11/07/10]
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[Appendix A]
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS BYLAWS (2010 HANDBOOK)
3.9.2

The Commission on Constitutional Matters exists to interpret the Constitution, Bylaws, and
resolutions of the Synod and ensure that the governing instruments of the Synod and its
agencies are in accord with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.

3.9.2.1

The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall consist of:
1. Five voting members, whose terms shall be for six years renewable once, three of whom
shall be ordained ministers and two shall be lawyers
2. The Secretary of the Synod, who shall serve as a nonvoting member of the commission
and its secretary
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