LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 2–4, 2012, Page 13

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Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod. And while having no authority over any officer, board, or
commission, the commission does state through its opinions/interpretations precisely what authority this Synod
of self-governing congregations has reserved unto itself alone and what the Synod has delegated specifically to
others.
In the commission’s important function of interpreting, it thereby assists in the clarification and understanding
of the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions for the members of the Synod, thereby helping to promote harmony
and to prevent self-will, self-ambition, controversy, dissension, and division. This function of interpretation is
stressed in the Bylaws of the Synod:
The Commission on Constitutional Matters exists to interpret the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of
the Synod and ensure that the governing instruments of the Synod and its agencies are in accord with the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. (Bylaw 3.9.2; see also Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3)
The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall 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)
The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall examine all reports and overtures to the Synod asking for
amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod or which in any manner affect the Constitution
and Bylaws, to determine their agreement in content and language with the Constitution and Bylaws of the
Synod. (Bylaw 3.9.2.2.1)
[Amendments to bylaws] shall be examined by the Commission on Constitutional Matters prior to
presentation to the convention to determine that they are not in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of
the Synod. (Bylaw 7.1.1 [c])
Underscored words and phrases in the preceding paragraphs [emphasis added] call attention to the need for
interpretation to “ensure that the governing documents of the Synod and its agencies are in accord,” to
“determine their agreement in content and language,” and to “determine that [amendments] are not in conflict”
with the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions.
2.

Understanding the Rules and Principles of Interpretation Used by the Commission on Constitutional Matters in
Carrying Out its Responsibility for Interpretation
The commission, whose opinions substantially are based upon interpretation, follows rules or principles of
interpretation to arrive at its opinions, including the following:
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Grammatical exegesis (deriving the meaning of a text), looking at the text as a literary document with a
literary context and historical setting. Grammar, logical discourse, word meaning, and word usage are
of utmost importance.
Intended sense, recognizing that the author intended one, simple, seminal, certain, literal, ordinary,
natural sense—not several meanings.
Immediate context, noting the “passages,” titles, subtitles, and section(s) immediately surrounding the
text.
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
(Article XIV and Bylaw 7.1) and all other rules and regulations, and allowing the Bylaws to control
and supersede all other rules and regulations.

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