LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 20–21, 2014, Page 4

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Question:

During a Dispute Resolution Panel hearing brought about by “persons involved in
excommunication,” may any member of the congregation that is named as a party to the
dispute be present to witness the proceedings?

Response: The commission understands this question to be: “When a congregation is a party to a dispute,
may any member of the congregation be present when the dispute is before a dispute resolution panel?”
The answer to the question, governed by the Standard Operating Procedures Manual (SOPM) which
standardizes the implementation of Bylaw section 1.10), is “no.” The relevant provision of the SOPM,
paragraph IV D (p. 9), reads: “If a party to a dispute is a member congregation of the Synod, the
congregation shall be represented by its chairman or a designated member.” As per Synod Bylaw 1.2.1
(s), “shall,” as used throughout this process, is mandatory language that here makes clear that a
congregation’s representation does not include members of the congregation other than “its chairman or a
designated member.”
While the above provision is from the Standard Operating Procedures Manual and not a bylaw of the
Synod, Bylaw 1.10.18.1 (j) requires the Commission on Constitutional Matters to provide an SOPM to
serve as a “comprehensive procedures manual for Bylaw section 1.10, Dispute Resolution of the Synod,”
thereby giving authoritative status to SOPM provisions.

79. Review of Foreign Legal Entity Documents (14-2739)
The Chief Mission Officer and the Office of International Mission have taken steps to create a legal entity
to facilitate ministry work in a foreign area (specific location not to be made public). The commission
reviewed the documents as submitted with an October 14, 2014 email from the Chief Administrative
Officer of the Synod and found no concerns, the assumption being that the Synod’s Board of Directors
will do whatever will be necessary to resolve the absence in the documents of dissolution provisions
required by 2004 convention Resolution 4-11.
80. Southern District Church Extension Fund Constitution and Bylaws (14-2740)
With an October 15, 2014 letter, the executive director of the Southern District Church Extension Fund
submitted his organization’s Constitution and Bylaws for review. As the commission began its review in
light of Synod Bylaws 3.30.6–3.10.6.1, the commission noted that it does not have a copy of the policy
documents mentioned in Bylaw 3.10.6.1, which will facilitate its review of the district documents.
Therefore, the commission will complete its review of the district documents upon receipt of the Board
for Church Extension policy documents.
81. Board for National Missions Policy Manual Review (14-2741)
With an October 20, 2014 email, the Chief Mission Officer of the Synod forwarded the latest revised
version of the Board for National Missions Policy Manual for review by the commission. Upon review of
the document, the commission continues to note references such as “throughout the world” (1.3) and “into
the entire world” (1.4), et al., which, while well intentioned, appear to contradict the solely national
mission responsibilities of the Board for National Mission and Office of National Mission.
Rather than attempt to address each instance of such language, the commission suggests that the board
insert a preamble at the beginning of the document which makes clear that the Board for National

CCM Minutes – November 20–21, 2014 – Page 55