LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 26 – 27, 2014, Page 10

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2013 Handbook, pp. 24, 25) may not be possible. Relationships with partner and other church bodies, the
responsibility of the President of the Synod (Bylaw 3.3.1.1.2, Handbook p. 117)), are likely to be
impacted by the presence of church workers in foreign mission areas known to be associated with the
Synod.
In summary, while congregational self-governance is an essential principle for the Synod, the
congregations of the Synod have through their convention actions and membership in the Synod limited
some of their independence and freedoms in the interest of working together, including the limitations
articulated in current Bylaw 3.8.3.
D. Auxiliaries and Foreign Missions
Auxiliaries are not agencies of the Synod or part of its constitutional structure. The Synod’s two
auxiliaries, the International Lutheran Laymen’s League and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League,
relate to the Synod according to the specific set of bylaws provided in Synod Bylaw section 6.1 (2013
Handbook, pp. 201–203).
While independent of the Synod and its organization and administration, auxiliaries are required to
“operate with freedom and self-determination as a ministry…while complying with the responsibilities”
outlined (Bylaw 6.1.2 [c]). Such responsibilities include “coordinat[ing] plans and programs with those of
the Synod through regular sharing and contact” (Bylaw 6.1.2 [d]). They are to report annually to the
President of the Synod, provide an annual program report to the Synod, keep the Synod advised of any
new program under consideration, honor and uphold the doctrine and practice of the Synod, and, while
operating with freedom and self-determination in their mission independent of control by the Synod,
respect protocol documents that exist between the Synod and her partner churches (Bylaw 6.1.3).
Therefore, because of their independence from the Synod in organization and administration, Bylaw 3.8.3
is not binding on auxiliaries. At the same time, while they are operating with freedom and selfdetermination, their bylaw responsibilities to the Synod offer ample opportunity and expectation for
coordination with the Synod’s foreign mission efforts, especially when partner churches are involved or
affected.
E. Recognized Service Organizations and Foreign Missions
A service organization is granted recognized status by the Synod when its mission and ministry are
recognized by the Synod to “foster the mission and ministry of the church” (Bylaw 6.2.1). As such, a
recognized service organization operates with freedom and self-determination as a ministry organization
entirely independent of the Synod and its districts and its member congregations (Bylaw 6.2.1 [a]) and
independent of control by the Synod (Bylaw 6.2.1 [b]). A recognized service organization continues to
qualify for this status so long as it “engages in program activity that is in harmony with the programs of
the boards of the Synod, and respects and does not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of the Synod”
(2013 Handbook, pp. 203–204).
Therefore Bylaw 3.8.3 does not apply to recognized service organizations per se. However, continued
recognized status hinges on “engag[ing] in program activity that is in harmony with the programs of the
boards of the Synod” (Bylaw 6.2.1), including the programs of the Office of International Mission as
determined by policy established by the Board for International Mission “for the coordination of and in
support of ministries of the Synod in foreign countries” (Bylaw 3.8.3.1).
Response to Questions

CCM Minutes – September 26–27, 2014 – Page 40