LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 16–17, 2013, Page 4

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This definition of “supervision” in Bylaw 1.2.1 (u) is not the same as “ecclesiastical supervision” defined
in Bylaw 1.2.1 (g), which is:
(g) The responsibility, primarily of the President of the Synod and district presidents, to supervise on behalf of
the Synod the doctrine, life, and administration of its members, officers, and agencies. Such supervision, subject
to the provisions of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions, includes visitation, evangelical
encouragement and support, care, protection, counsel, advice, admonition, and, when necessary, appropriate
disciplinary measures to assure that the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod are followed and
implemented. Thus, ecclesiastical supervision is also the presenting, interpreting, and applying of the collective
will of the Synod’s congregations. Ecclesiastical supervision does not include the responsibility to observe,
monitor, control, or direct the day-to-day activities of individual members of the Synod, whether in the conduct
of their work or in their private lives (cf. Bylaw 2.14.1 [a]). Further, those constitutional articles and bylaws
pertaining to ecclesiastical supervision shall determine the full definition of ecclesiastical supervision.

“Supervision” as referred to in the constitutional provisions referenced is the same historically as
“ecclesiastical supervision.” The content and context of the word “supervision” as used elsewhere
determines whether or not “supervision” is the same as “ecclesiastical supervision” as defined above in
Bylaw 1.2.1 (g). It must be noted that an ecclesiastical supervisor who carries out ecclesiastical
supervision according to Bylaw 1.2.1 (g) may also be given other duties by the Synod to “direct actions”
or “to control activities” (such as: “sign…all official papers and documents of their district” (Constitution
Art. XII 9 d) or “the President shall give a report…” (Art. XI B 5). The content, context, and historical
context will determine whether or not “supervision” is the same as “ecclesiastical supervision” or whether
it is “supervision” as defined in Bylaw 1.2.1 (u).
Question 4: Does ecclesiastical supervision include the right or power to have authority over, to direct the
actions, or to control activities of those supervised?
Opinion: No. Synod-provided ecclesiastical supervision is neither one of authority over, directing
actions, or controlling activities nor of asking, requesting, giving permission (approval) or exercising
legislative control or coercive power (Cf. Constitution Article VII). It is advice and counsel to help those
under ecclesiastical supervision to understand the Synod’s collective will and position as well as the
Synod’s collective understanding of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. Presenting, interpreting, and
applying the very collective will and understanding of the congregations necessarily involves the
supervisor in evangelical consultation, discussion, guidance and collegial conversation, as well as
evangelical encouragement, care, and support (see Bylaw 1.2.1 [g] quoted above; also Opinion 03-2338).
In affirming ecclesiastical supervision, the 2010 Synod convention resolved: “Neither the Synod itself nor
its chosen ecclesiastical supervisor may grant anyone the right to violate the Scriptures with impunity.
The Synod through its ecclesiastical supervisors provides counsel and advice—not immunity, approval,
or permission, much less license” (Res. 7-02 “To Affirm Ecclesiastical Supervision”).
The bylaw definition of “ecclesiastical supervision” (Bylaw 1.2.1 [g]) quoted above under question 3
clearly states its overall character, nature, and application as being one of counsel and advice as it
includes such phrases as “visitation, evangelical encouragement and support, care, protection, counsel,
advice, admonition.” The Objectives of the Synod (Constitution Art. III) clearly explain the overall
character of counsel and advice with such words as “strengthen,” “provide opportunities,” “aid,”
“support,” “encourage,” “provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care,” and “provide protection.”
Helpful to this understanding is the purpose of the Council of Presidents as stated in Bylaw 3.10.1.2:
The Council of Presidents shall provide opportunity for the President of the Synod to advise and counsel his
representatives in the regions and districts and for the regional vice-presidents and district presidents in turn to
CCM Minutes – May 2013 – Page 360