LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 5–6, 2017, Page 1

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MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Web Meeting (zoom.us)
April 6, 2017
39. Review of Draft Res. 12-14 Bylaw Proposal
The commission met by web conference, with all members attending, to review the Secretary’s draft of
bylaws to be discussed with the Council of Presidents and then presented to the Board of Directors for
adoption under Bylaw 7.1.2 and 2016 Res. 12-14. The commission gave its approval to the draft presented,
with the understanding that the Secretary’s consultation with the council, concluding on April 25, and the
review of the Commission on Handbook, taking place on May 3, would likely introduce subsequent
changes, which would be brought back to the commission at its May 5–6 meeting for final approval. The
Board of Directors meets May 19–20 and intends to take up the matter at that time.

MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Hilton Airport Hotel, St. Louis
May 5–6, 2017
40. Call to Order and Opening Devotions
Chairman Gude called the meeting to order with all members assembled. He called upon Larry Peters to
lead opening devotions, which he did on the basis of the appointed readings for the festival of Ss. Philip
and James (and, on Saturday, the Gospel for Misericordias Domini).
41. Chaplain Endorsement Requirement (17-2809)
An individual member of Synod requested an opinion regarding the authority of the Synod, through its
Office of Specialized Pastoral Ministry, to establish particular requirements (beyond the general
requirements for Synod membership) for those to be endorsed by the Synod for specialized ministries
(Bylaw 2.11.1 [i]). The request was specifically for an application to this question of Const. Art. VII:
Article VII Relation of the Synod to Its Members
1. In its relation to its members the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising
legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation’s right
of self-government it is but an advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod
imposing anything upon the individual congregation is of binding force if it is not in
accordance with the Word of God or if it appears to be inexpedient as far as the
condition of a congregation is concerned.
The commission notes that membership in the Synod is an issue distinct from endorsement by the Synod for
a specialized area of service under Bylaw 2.11.1 [i]. The Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of Synod
provide no standards for endorsement of ministers for specialized, non-congregational ministry; the
Commission on Constitutional Matters is therefore unable to evaluate the specifics of such policies. The
Board for National Mission is charged by Bylaw 3.8.2 to “serve as a calling agency for institutional and
agency chaplains and other non-foreign specialized ministers (e.g., Veterans Administration chaplains,
Bureau of Prisons chaplains, hospital chaplains, pastoral counselors, and teachers of chaplaincy and pastoral
counseling).” The Board for National Mission therefore, through its policies and the Office of National
Mission, and under the supervision of the President of the Synod, authorizes the Religious Endorser for
Specialized Pastoral Ministry to endorse ministers for service in specialized pastoral ministries. The
endorsement manual indicates:

CCM Minutes – May 5–6, 2017 – Page 28