LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 11–13, 2011, Page 15

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

•

•

•

“ordained and commissioned ministers.” In particular, the term “consecrated ministers” in
paragraph (b) III is not a term used in the Bylaws of the Synod.
Bylaws Article V, section 3: This paragraph will require attention to (a) reflect that circuits now
must meet at least two times in a triennium—once to select circuit counselors and conduct other
district convention-related business, and again as electoral circuits to elect delegates to Synod
conventions; (2) make clear the differences between visitation and electoral circuits; and (3)
include mention of the need to discuss and submit proposals to the district convention for Synodwide mission and ministry emphases.
Bylaws Article VI: Mention should be made that district bylaws and additions thereto are not to
be contrary to the Bylaws as well as the Constitution of the Synod. Mention must also be made to
the requirement of the Synod that all amendments to bylaws are to be submitted to the
Commission on Constitutional Matters for review and approval prior to their submission to the
district convention.
Bylaws Article VII: Here again, review and approval by the Commission on Constitutional
Matters is required.

75. Call of Missionaries for Service Outside of District (11-2607)
An ordained minister of the Synod, via an August 10, 2011 email, submitted a question to the commission
regarding the authority of a district to call members of the district to serve as missionaries outside the
district. The commission responded as follows.
Question: Does a district of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod have the authority under the
Constitution and Bylaws of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to call members of their
district as missionaries and place them in locations of service around the United States outside
their district?
Opinion: No. The principles governing districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are contained
in Article XII of the Constitution as well as Bylaw 4.1. The Synod itself has retained exclusive
jurisdiction with respect to the placement of foreign missionaries (Bylaws 4.4.3 [b]), 4.1.5, and 3.8.3). No
express provision of the Constitution or Bylaws directly addresses the issue raised.
With respect to mission outreach which crosses district lines, the issue was addressed as to individual
congregations by 2010 Res. 1-07A. 4 The Bylaws now expressly address the issue with respect to the
efforts of an individual congregation. Bylaw 4.1.6.2 reads:

4

2010 Resolution 1-07A “To Encourage Inter-District Dialogue in the Establishment of New Church Starts, Satellite
Worship Sites, and Specialized Ministries across Geographic District Lines”
WHEREAS, Psalm 133:1 states, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity”; and
WHEREAS, In response to this word of encouragement, the Council of Presidents, the Department of Rosters and
Statistics, LCMS World Mission, and the Secretary of the Synod have agreed upon definitions for “new church starts,”
“satellite worship sites,” and “specialized ministries”; and
WHEREAS, Congregations today continue to expand the kingdom of God through the establishment of new church
starts, satellite worship sites, and specialized ministries; and
WHEREAS, Congregations on occasion have established such avenues for outreach across district lines without
consulting with the geographical district or the local congregations where they have begun the new work; and
WHEREAS, Failure to do so can cause strained relations and impact work that is being planned for that area by local
congregations or the geographical district; and
WHEREAS, The Synod places a high regard on geographical district boundaries, evidenced by Constitution Art. XII 1, 6,
7, & 12 and Bylaw 4.1.1.4; therefore be it

209