LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 17–18, 2018, Page 16

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confessional roots of the Synod in Article II in that they are developed and performed “under Scripture and
the Lutheran Confessions” (Article III).
The Concordia University System has particular responsibility “to provide for the education of preseminary students, ministers of religion–commissioned, other professional church workers of the Synod”
(Bylaw 3.6.6.1). Decisions of colleges and universities in any way impacting such programs—including
arrangements with other church bodies to contribute to the training of their workers—must be coordinated
with the Concordia University System. Likewise, creation of new programs, if such are conceived for
training of extra-synodical church workers, is to be reviewed and approved by CUS (Bylaw 3.6.6.5 [c]).
Preservation of “Lutheran identity” is not a matter of protecting a quaint ethnicity, but rather deals with the
truth of the confessional foundations that undergird what we believe, teach and confess. Though another
denomination may accept the course work provided at an educational institution of the Synod as satisfactory
for their requirements, it goes without saying that what our schools teach is in no way to be adjusted to
minimize the truth of our doctrines (cf. Const. Art. III 1). CUS is responsible for assisting the President in
his supervision of this area (Bylaw 3.6.6.5 [g]).
Finally, the Synod itself retains authority for ecumenical relations, an authority vested in its President as
chief ecumenical officer (Bylaw 3.3.1.1.2 [c]).
The commission addresses both questions in one opinion:
Question 1:

Would the President of the Synod, as chief ecumenical officer, need to approve such
arrangements?

Question 2:

Do the universities need to communicate the conditions under which such instruction is
being offered so that no confusion arises with respect to the respective denominations’
doctrinal confessions and practices?

Opinion: If recognition of credits were the extent of the memorandum of understanding, and the content of
the teaching were not adjusted to suit heterodox church bodies, the commission does not believe that this
would constitute an “ecumenical agreement” requiring such approval. Nonetheless, the Office of the
President should certainly be informed in advance of any such potential agreement and be given opportunity
to fully address any concerns related thereto. Terms and conditions of any such agreement must be fully
disclosed, as they are subject to the proper oversight and/or supervision of the CUS and the President of the
Synod. Communication with the Office of the President is an obligation both of the school and of CUS,
which has the responsibility to “assist the President of the Synod in monitoring and promoting the ongoing
faithfulness of Concordia University System colleges and universities to Article II of the Constitution of
the Synod” (Bylaw 3.6.6.5 [g]).
165. COP Manual Review: Calls vs. Contracts for Ordained and Commissioned (17-2865)
The commission discussed at some length two documents from the Council of Presidents (COP) Policy
Manual, 2018 sections 9.2 and 10.3, entitled “Calls vs. Contracts,” applicable, respectively, to ordained and
commissioned ministers, but determined not to address the document in an opinion.
166. Concordia University Nebraska Bylaws, Revised (16-2800A)
By a June 23, 2018, e-mail, general counsel for Concordia University Nebraska (CUNE) forwarded a
restatement of its bylaws, adopted by the board of regents on May 1, 2018. It was communicated that the
concerns raised in the commission’s prior review (Op. 16-2800) would be addressed subsequent to this
restatement.
The commission therefore reiterates the necessity of addressing the following concerns related to the
university’s articles of incorporation—the last of which underscores that the document presently under
review should not have been adopted prior to review and approval by the Commission on Constitutional
Matters:
CCM Minutes – August 17–18, 2018 – Page 137