LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 6–7, 2018, Page 3

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reservation the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions” (Const. Art. II), they would renounce activities of
every description that would commingle the confession, teaching, or practice of that true and salutary
confession with any contrary (and therefore false and harmful) confession, teaching, or practice.
Whether or not any particular activity or “fact situation” would be determined to constitute unionism or
syncretism (Kirchen- und Glaubensmengerei) and, therefore, to constitute a violation of the conditions of
membership in the Synod, falls outside of the authority of the Commission on Constitutional Matters. Such
a decision is properly the responsibility of the ecclesiastical supervisor of that member.
Question 2:

What is the definition of unionism as used here?

Opinion: See the response to question 1.
Question 3:

What is the definition of syncretism as used here?

Opinion: See the response to question 1.
Question 4:

What are heterodox tract and missionary activities, and what is meant by participating in
such activities?

Opinion: As used in the Constitution of the Synod, heterodox means “confessing a different doctrine or
belief from that expressed in Article II of the Constitution of the Synod.” In any specific instance, the
Constitution designates the primary responsibility for determining if a teaching or action is heterodox to
the ecclesiastical supervisor of that member of the Synod. To participate means, simply, “to take part in.”
If a member is uncertain in any given situation, the ecclesiastical supervisor of that member should be
consulted.
It must be noted that this passage is stated in the Constitution as one of three examples of unionistic and
syncretistic activity. To make an application from above, it is the expectation of members of the Synod that,
because they “accept without reservation the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions” (Const. Art. II),
they would renounce (and therefore not take any part in) activities of every description that would
commingle the confession, teaching, or practice of that true and salutary confession with any contrary (and
therefore false and harmful) confession, teaching, or practice.
With regard to the meaning of taking part in or participating in, these words are used to state examples of
prohibited activity. The positive requirement of the Constitution is not only that members avoid the
prohibited example activities, but that they renounce unionism and syncretism of every description.
Contrary to that required renunciation are any activities inviting the reasonable inference that the exclusive
teaching and practice of Synod’s confession (Const. Art. II) may, as a matter of indifference or
insignificance, be laid aside, replaced by, or comingled with other teachings or practices. Such activities
violate Const. Art. VI 2 and give the sort of offense contemplated in Const. Art. XIII 1’s offensive conduct.
Regarding Bylaw 1.8.3:
Question 5:

What is meant by “Any such public teaching shall place in jeopardy membership in the
Synod?” Does this include public practice?

Opinion: The question as asked does not quote the entire bylaw. Bylaw section 1.8 deals with the right of
a member of the Synod to dissent from the doctrinal position of the Synod as this is expressed in the Synod’s
doctrinal resolutions and statements. The bylaw section details the process by which this dissent may be
expressed and to whom it may be expressed. Bylaw 1.8.3 specifically states that the right to dissent from
the doctrinal position of the Synod does not include the right to publicly teach or practice contrary to the
established doctrinal position of the Synod. (Bylaw 1.8.2 distinguishes from “public teaching” or “a public
forum” a private and confidential discussion among a fellowship of competent peers, and this distinction is
elaborated by CCM Op. 13-2665.) When a member publicly teaches or practices contrary to the established
doctrinal position of the Synod, the exercise of ecclesiastical supervision is called for. Should admonition
CCM Minutes – April 6–7, 2018 – Page 110