LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 16–17, 2013, Page 6

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advice, counsel, and admonition when circumstances warrant in matters involving matters of membership
in the Synod, refusal to heed this admonition may result in suspension from membership and the initiation
of the processes outlined in Bylaw sections 2.14, 2.15, and 2.17. The preamble of section 2.14 states:
2.14.1 Termination of membership in the Synod is a serious matter involving both the doctrine and life of those
to whom it has been granted. Such action should only be taken as a final step when it is clear that those
who are being terminated after previous futile admonition have acted contrary to the confession laid
down in Article II or the conditions of membership laid down in Article VI or have persisted in offensive
conduct (Constitution, Art. XIII1). For this reason, the Synod establishes procedures for such action,
including the identification of those who are responsible for ecclesiastical supervision of its members.
Such supervision includes not only suspension or termination of membership but also advice, counsel,
encouragement, and, when necessary, admonition regarding teaching and/or practice. Furthermore, the
procedures that may lead to termination of membership also provide for the protection of members by
including provisions for challenging the decisions of ecclesiastical supervisors in these matters as well as
provisions for restoration of membership that has been suspended or terminated.

The polity of the Synod, including ecclesiastical supervision, is based on advising by the Word. In his
first presidential address, C.F.W. Walther said that the Synod has “only the power of the Word, and of
convincing” and “…according to the constitution under which our Synodical union exists, we have merely
the power to advise one another, that we have only the power of the Word of God, and of convincing”
(1848 Convention Proceedings). The authority and power of the Word of God are foundational to the
confession, life, and work of the church, including ecclesiastical supervision. Rather than by personal
power, legislation, force, or fiat, the Synod is convinced that actually using that Word in conversation,
discussion, advising, and “convincing” is to use an instrument of the Holy Spirit and His power (cf.
Constitution Art. VII 1 and Art. VIII C).
In conclusion, instead of a Synod where ecclesiastical supervision consists of or includes the right or
power to have authority over, to direct the actions, or to control activities of those supervised, Walther
made it very clear in his 1848 Synod convention address that “…we can hardly consider any other
constitution as the most salutary except one under which the congregations are free to govern themselves
but enter into a Synodical organization such as the one existing among us with the help of God, for
enjoying fraternal consultation, supervision [ecclesiastical supervision], and aid to spread the kingdom of
God jointly and to make possible and accomplish the aims of the church in general.”
205. Concordia University Wisconsin Bylaw Changes (13-2670)
In an emailed letter dated March 27, 2013, Concordia University Wisconsin submitted final bylaw
amendments for the commission’s approval. After review, the commission approved the bylaw changes
as submitted.
206. Final Concordia University Nebraska Documents Review (13-2671)
Upon discussion of the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Policy Manual, noting that all of the
commission’s previous recommendations were included in the documents, the commission gave final
approval to all documents, thanking Concordia University Nebraska and its president for their
cooperation.
207. Implementation of Bylaw 3.12.2.5 (g) (13-2672)
The Secretary of the Synod submitted via a May 3, 2013 email the following question regarding
implementation of Bylaw 3.12.2.5 (g) adopted by the 2010 Synod convention.
CCM Minutes – May 2013 – Page 362