LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 3-4, 2011, Page 36

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N. The ecclesiastical supervisor shall make every effort to resolve disputed matters on a timely basis,
make every effort to protect the integrity of the process, and make every effort to be consistent
and fair and to guard against improper publicity.
O. All the constitutional and bylaw functions of the ecclesiastical supervisor, including offering any
advice, admonition, and judgment, shall be circumscribed not by his private views, individual
interpretation, or personal or public opinion but by the official resolutions and corporate
confessional position of the Synod.
P. The ecclesiastical supervisor shall assume a servant role as he leads fraternal discussions and
gives counsel, care, and protection (Constitution, Art. III 8−9) on behalf of the congregations of
the Synod, to whom he is accountable. The provisions and procedures of Bylaw section 2.15
allow ample opportunity for the ecclesiastical supervisors to obtain advice and help in this servant
role.
Q. In the provisions and procedures set forth in Bylaw section 2.15 (cf. Constitution, Art. XIII), the
purpose of a requested CCM opinion is to “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).
R. In the provisions and processes set forth in Bylaw section 2.15 (cf. Constitution Art. XIII), the
purpose of a requested CTCR opinion is to present what the Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions teach on the doctrinal point(s) at issue in a matter, in conformity with the collective
understanding of the Synod as expressed in its officially adopted doctrinal statements and
resolutions (Bylaw 3.9.5.2.1).
S. These provisions and processes do not establish positions of the Synod. Such positions are
established according to the provisions set forth in Article VIII of the Constitution and in Bylaw
sections 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 1.7, and 3.1.
T. In protecting the rights of its members, the Synod has also made provision for challenging the
decisions of ecclesiastical supervisors that may result in suspension and loss of membership. Such
provision in Bylaw section 2.15 serves to protect the rights of both the accuser and the accused.
U. The official and formal provisions and processes of Bylaw section 2.15 (expulsion from
membership) are not to take the place of or be confused with the brotherly acts of encouraging
and admonishing one another and with the “mutual conversation and consolation of brethren”
(Smalcald Articles, Part III, Article IV [Tappert translation, p. 310]). These provisions and
processes do not prohibit any Christian from following biblical and confessional principles in
rebuking a Christian brother or sister so long as the constitutional responsibility for ecclesiastical
supervision required of district presidents and the President of the Synod is not being assumed.
V. Provisions and procedures for doctrinal dissent (not a basis for expulsion from membership in the
Synod) are set forth in Bylaw section 1.8. Provisions for doctrinal discussions are set forth in
Bylaw 3.9.5.2.1 and Bylaw sections 4.8, 4.9, 5.3 and 5.4. Provisions and procedures for doctrinal
review are set forth in Bylaw section 1.9. Provisions and procedures for dispute resolution (not a
provision for expulsion from membership) are set forth in Bylaw section 1.10. Other procedures
for expulsion from membership are provided in Bylaw sections 2.14 and 2.16–2.17. Provisions
and procedures for complaints against a member of the faculty or administration of one of the

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