LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 26 – 27, 2014, Page 12

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service organizations will do well to honor the Synod’s “foreign mission area” designations as well, in
light of their supportive and cooperative relationships with the Synod.
Question 5: If a congregation or other synodical entity besides the BIM has issued [a] call, what
guidance can the CCM provide in approaching the situation?
Opinion: Situations where the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod have not been properly
followed require evangelical attention by those whose responsibility it is to see to it that the decisions and
principles of the Synod are honored and carried out (Constitution Art. XI B; XII 7, 9; Bylaws 1.2.1 [i];
3.3.1.1.1; 3.3.1.2; 4.4.2; et al.). For its part, the Board for International Mission (and the Office of
International Mission) will also want to cooperate with and facilitate efforts and remedies that will honor
Bylaw 3.8.3 while also honoring “the desire of people to have direct and personal contact with a specific
mission project” (2013 Res. 1-08 “To Work Together in Mission,” Proceedings, p. 103).
62. Board for International Mission Ends Policies and Self-Governance Policies Review (14-2725;
14-2728)
With a June 19, 2014 email, the chairman of the Board for International Mission submitted his board’s
“Ends” policy manual for review by the commission. Upon review, the commission offers the following
recommendations to the board.
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•
•

•

At the end of the first sentence under section 1, paragraph a, the bylaw reference should be
paragraph (m) rather than (l).
In subparagraph a iii under section 1, the references should be a i and a ii.
Under section 2, subparagraph a iii, the role of the board is not to “work cooperatively” with
partner churches but rather to provide policies for the coordination of and in support of ministries
of the Synod in foreign areas (Synod Bylaw 3.8.3.1), which would include policies fostering
cooperation with the work of partner churches, the board also overseeing the implementation of
such policies.
Under section 12, subparagraph a ii, this statement again raises the issue of the role of the board,
as in the bullet above. The role of the board is to provide policies fostering cooperation between
the Office of International Mission and the entities listed.

The Board for International Mission’s “Self-Governance” Policy Manual was also submitted for review.
The commission provides the following recommendations in response:
•
•
•
•
•

At the end of the first sentence under section 2.2, the bylaw reference should be paragraph (m)
rather than (l).
In the third paragraph under section 2.2, the addition of Synod bylaw references to provide
definitions for “oversight” in the first line (Bylaw 1.2.1 [o]) and “ecclesiastical supervision” in
the fourth line (Bylaw 1.2.1 [i]) will be helpful.
The first line under section 2.3 would better read: “Through the policies it develops and provides
to the Office of International Mission, the board will emphasize….”
In the same first paragraph of section 2.3, the fourth bullet subparagraph would better read:
“Capacity as the Board for International Mission develops and strengthens internal resources
and….”
The paragraph under section 2.3.1 will better read: “All activities of the board, its officers,
committee(s), and members shall conform to the specific responsibilities of the board as provided
by bylaw and as adopted….”

CCM Minutes – September 26–27, 2014 – Page 42