LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 11–13, 2011, Page 28

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and conduct official visits or investigations as described in Bylaw 4.4.6. Article VII of Constitution reads
as follows:
Article VII Relation of the Synod to Its Members
1.

In its relation to its members the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative or
coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s right of self-government it is but an
advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod imposing anything upon the individual
congregation is of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be
inexpedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned.

2.

Membership of a congregation in the Synod gives the Synod no equity in the property of the
congregation.

Bylaw 4.4.6 reads as follows:
4.4.6 The district president, even without formal request therefor, may through the proper channels
arrange for an official visit or investigation when a controversy arises in a congregation or between
two or more congregations of the district or when there is evidence of a continuing unresolved
problem in doctrine or practice.
(a) He shall ask for a full report on the case in order that he may have a clear understanding of the
situation.
(b) If he authorizes anyone to represent him in such matters, his representative shall be accorded the
same rights as the district president.

The responsibilities of a district president in this regard flow not only from the Bylaws, but also Article
XII 7 of the Constitution:
The district presidents shall, moreover, especially exercise supervision over the doctrine, life, and
administration of office of the ordained and commissioned ministers of their district and acquaint
themselves with the religious conditions of the congregations of their district. To this end, they shall visit
and, according as they deem it necessary, hold investigations in the congregations. Their assistants in this
work are the circuit counselors, who therefore shall regularly make their reports to the district president.

In conducting an official visit or investigation, a district president or his representative may arrange for
such meetings with a pastor, the leadership of a congregation, groups within a congregation, or the
congregation itself as he deems necessary. Even such a meeting with the entire congregation, however,
cannot properly be characterized as the calling of the voters’ assembly unless the congregation itself
chooses to convene such a meeting as part of its response to such visit or investigation.
Separate and apart from any such official visit or investigation, pastors and/or congregations often call
upon a district president for guidance, assistance, and support in the conduct of their spiritual and other
affairs. Where called upon by the recognized leaders of a congregation to do so, a district president might
well use his letterhead and a membership list supplied by the congregational leaders to assist the
Your attention is also directed to the provisions of Article XII 7 of the Constitution, which provides:
7.

The District Presidents shall, moreover, especially exercise supervision over the doctrine, life, and administration
of office of the ordained and commissioned ministers of their District and acquaint themselves with the religious
conditions of the congregations of their District. To this end they shall visit and, according as they deem it
necessary, hold investigations in the congregations. Their assistants in this work are the Circuit Counselors, who
therefore shall regularly make their reports to the District President.

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