LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 6–7, 2010, Page 13

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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, and allowing the Bylaws to control and
supersede 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.

[Appendix C]
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Introduction:
A Synodical Survey Commission, which had been authorized by the 1956 convention of the Synod, gave its first
report to the 1959 convention. It then gave a comprehensive report with recommendations to the 1962 convention
(1962 Convention Workbook, pp. 228-268. The Commission on Constitutional Matters is referred to in this report on
pp. 257-258). In order to be thorough in its work, the Survey Commission engaged Dr. August Suelflow as Research
Secretary. He produced a historical document in 1961 entitled “The Development of the Formal Administrative
Structure of the LCMS from 1897 to 1961.”
The following historical notes on the history of the Commission on Constitutional Matters covering the period from
prior to 1923 through 1961 are gleaned from this document, with other research and documentary assistance
provided by former Concordia Historical Institute Associate Director Marvin Huggins and Synod Secretary Raymond
Hartwig.
Prior to 1923, an ad hoc committee elected by a convention of the Synod handled constitutional matters. The
committee was usually comprised of three members. The Synod did much of its business until this time by
ad hoc committees.

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