LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 25–26, 2013, Page 1

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MINUTES
COMMISSION ON HANDBOOK
Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel, St. Louis
January 25–26, 2013
59. Call to Order / Opening Devotion
Chairman Gordon Tresch called the meeting to order with all members present and called on Walter
Rosin for an opening devotion. He noted the content of the agenda for the meeting and asked Raymond
Hartwig and Ron Schultz to lead the commission’s discussions of overtures ready for final consideration
before their submission to the 2013 convention of the Synod.
60. Overture to the 2013 LCMS Convention (Expulsion Processes) – Omnibus I
Overture to the 2013 LCMS Convention
To Address Handbook Issues re Expulsion Processes (Bylaw Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17)
Background
During the triennium, concerns related to Bylaw sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16, and 2.17 (expulsion from
Synod membership)were brought to the attention of the Commission on Handbook. This overture
identifies those concerns and proposes the Commission on Handbook’s bylaw amendment solutions to the
2013 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
(A) Requests for CCM/CTCR Opinions
(Bylaw 2.14.7.8 [k])
Rationale
It is important that all time requirements provided by bylaw in the Synod’s expulsion processes be
honored, including the 30-day requirement for the provision of Commission on Constitutional Matters
and Commission on Theology and Church Relations opinions requested as part of the process. To
underscore the need for these commissions to make such arrangements as are necessary to fulfill this
requirement, the Commission on Handbook advocates the following bylaw changes.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
2.14.7.8

(k) If any part of the dispute involves a specific question of doctrine or doctrinal
application, each party shall have the right to an opinion from the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations (CTCR). If it involves questions of constitution or bylaw
interpretation, each party shall have a right to an interpretation from the Commission on
Constitutional Matters (CCM).
(1) The request for an opinion must be made through the panel, which shall determine
the wording of the question(s).
(2) The request for an opinion must be made within 30 days of the final formation of
the panel. If a party does not request such an opinion within the designated time, such a
request may still be made to the panel, which shall, at its discretion, determine whether
the request shall be forwarded. The panel shall also have the right, at any time to
request an opinion from the CCM or the CTCR.