LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 3-4, 2011, Page 11

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16:17)." The Scripture references include the admonitions to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace, to avoid all divisions, and to beware of division makers.
Objects 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 continue with this theme. All of these imply the quest for oneness, its
preservation and extension.
Objects 7 and 8 need special emphasis in view of the questions which have been raised regarding the
formation and continuation of groups which attempt to carry out the purposes which the Synod
reserves for itself:
7. The supervision of the ministers and teachers of Synod with regard to the performance
of their official duties;
8. The protection of pastors, teachers, and congregations in the performance of their duties
and the maintenance of their rights.
The Synod was organized and is maintained to carry out these objects. The congregations, pastors, and
teachers who by their own free decision have joined the Synod have done so with the determination
that the important functions described in Article III (and we would stress especially Objects 1, 7, and 8
in view of the questions which have been raised) should be carried out by the Synod. Any assumption
of these responsibilities by secret or open, voluntary or auxiliary, new or established groups is
disruptive of the synodical purpose and cannot be tolerated.
Christians as well as non-Christians expect differences of opinion and judgment to arise when people
walk together. The Synod has provided for forums in which such differences can be discussed and
evaluated beyond the confines of the local congregation. The pastors and teachers conferences; the
circuit meetings; the synodical and District board, commission, and committee meetings; the doctrinal
supervision and appeals procedures; and above all the conventions of the Districts and of the Synod
provide the proper channels through which the issues of opinion and judgment are to be discussed and
decided. In the absence of a clear word of God issues must be decided by the majority principle,
applied in Christian love and with Christian restraint (Article VIII C). When the majority will has been
determined, it must be respected. Otherwise life together (synod) becomes all but impossible.
Discussion may indeed continue; but it needs to be carried on with full respect for the majority will and
within the forums established by the Synod for the preservation of the synodical unity. If additional
channels for discussion are needed the Synod can provide for the same in its Bylaws through
appropriate convention action.
It is incongruous for separate groups to organize for the purpose of policing the members of the
Synod; it is equally incongruous for groups to organize for the purpose of either shaping or
nullifying a decision in an area of concern in which the Synod has reserved to itself the right of
making decisions. Where the Synod has not reserved this right to itself (e.g., the decision to
establish orphanages, high schools, old folks homes, hospitals), congregations and individuals
have the right to effect an organization so long as its objectives and operations do not interfere
with the purposes and functions of the Synod. However, where the Synod has reserved this right to
itself (e.g., the administration of its colleges and seminaries; the supervision of doctrine; the
declaration of fellowship with other church bodies), congregations and individuals have no right
under the Constitution of the Synod without the express approval of the Synod to effect
organizations to achieve purposes for which the Synod itself exists or to carry on activities which
rightfully belong to the duly elected or appointed officials of the Synod. Under these
circumstances such organizations become divisive and schismatic and therefore subversive of the
very purposes of the Synod.

Accordingly, and in response to the question submitted to the Commission, it is not in harmony with
the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod for a member of the Synod or an unofficial group within
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