LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 6–7, 2010, Page 12

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The commission does not develop policies or programs, nor does it supervise their
implementation. The commission does not see to it that the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions
of the Synod are carried out, nor does it interpret the Scriptures. Through its opinions, however,
the commission does carry out its particular responsibility to interpret (between conventions) the
collective will of the Synod as specified in the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the
Synod. And while having no authority over any officer, board, or commission, the commission
does state through its opinions/interpretations precisely what authority this Synod of selfgoverning congregations has reserved unto itself alone and what the Synod has delegated
specifically to others.
In the commission’s important function of interpreting, it thereby assists in the clarification and
understanding of the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions for the members of the Synod, thereby
helping to promote harmony and to prevent self-will, self-ambition, controversy, dissension, and
division. This function of interpretation is stressed in the Bylaws of the Synod:
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. [Bylaw 3.9.2; see also Bylaw
3.9.2.2.3]
The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall interpret the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and
resolutions upon the written request of a member (congregation, ordained or commissioned
minister), official, board, commission, or agency of the Synod. [Bylaw 3.9.2.2]
The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall examine all reports and overtures to the Synod
asking for amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod or which in any manner
affect the Constitution and Bylaws, to determine their agreement in content and language with the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. [Bylaw 3.9.2.2.1]
[Amendments to bylaws] shall be examined by the Commission on Constitutional Matters prior to
presentation to the convention to determine that they are not in conflict with the Constitution and
Bylaws of the Synod. [Bylaw 7.1.1 (c)]

Underscored words and phrases in the preceding paragraphs [emphasis added] call attention to
the need for interpretation to “ensure that the governing documents of the Synod and its agencies
are in accord,” to “determine their agreement in content and language,” and to “determine that
[amendments] are not in conflict” with the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions.
2. Understanding the Rules and Principles of Interpretation Used by the Commission on
Constitutional Matters in Carrying Out its Responsibility for Interpretation
The commission, whose opinions substantially are or are based upon interpretation, follows rules
or principles of interpretation to arrive at its opinions, including the following:
•
•
•

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.
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