LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 1–2, 2023, Page 7

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18. Service on 2023 Res. 9-06A Task Force on Electoral Circuit Parameters
The commission noted appointments by the Council of Presidents to the task force, as well as the
designation by the Commission of Handbook of three of its members ordinarily to attend task force
meetings. The commission designated Thomas Deadrick, David Vandercook, and possibly Larry Peters.
19. 2023 Res. 7-04B Review of Higher Education Institution Governing Documents (23-3023)
The commission noted the Board of Directors’ adoption of a related resolution in its November 17–18
meeting, requesting the Secretary to request the higher education institutions of the Synod to submit “their
governing documents and written governance practices, including articles of incorporation, bylaws, board
of regents policies, and other documents responsive” for review. The board requested the commission’s
input “regarding the compliance or noncompliance” of the documents and practices with the Synod
Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions. The Secretary will prepare a communication on behalf of the board
and the commission to request documents and to coordinate this review with ongoing efforts at the various
universities, especially, to reflect in governing documents and practices the requirements set forth or revised
by 2023 convention resolutions.
20. Review of 2023 Ov. 9-28, “To Establish Procedures for Delay of Meetings of Synod,” and 9-29,
“To Provide for Elections if Conventions Cannot Be Held,” Assigned in Omnibus A
Two overtures were noted as referred to the commission for review and appropriate action. The commission
reviewed the two overtures.
•

Ov. 9-28, “To Establish Procedures for Delay of Meetings of Synod”: The commission determined
to add this topic to its agenda (Ag. 23-3022) for development of a potential overture to the 2026
convention.

•

Ov. 9-29, “To Provide for Elections if Conventions Cannot Be Held”: The commission determined
not to pursue an overture on this topic, not seeing the necessity or adequacy of the solution
proposed.

21. Opinion Request: Specific Ministry Pastor Supervision of Commissioned Ministers (23-3017)
By an email of September 27, a district president requested an opinion on the following questions regarding
the permissibility of supervision of commissioned minsters by a specific ministry pastor (SMP). Consonant
with Bylaw 3.9.2.2 (b), the commission requested input from the LCMS Council of Presidents and members
of the Pastoral Formation Committee. These questions are as follow:
Question 1:

Is there any circumstance under Bylaw 2.13.1 in which an SMP might have supervisory
authority over a commissioned worker?

Question 2:

For example, if a large congregation with a staff of senior pastor, SMP, a director of
Christian education, a full day school staff, and a director of parish music experiences a
vacancy in the senior pastor position, what would be the appropriate relationship between
the SMP and the commissioned workers?

Question 3:

If the answers to the above questions indicate that there is never a circumstance that an
SMP might have supervisory authority over a commissioned worker, would that obligate
congregations in the scenario envisioned above to engage a vacancy pastor in order to
maintain proper supervisory authority over, not only the SMP, but also all commissioned
workers involved?

The commission discussed this item at length, noting the longer material within the resolutions that
introduced, and since have revised, the SMP program compared with the economy of words present in
current bylaws, and requested the Secretary to prepare an outline of the discussion for further consideration
and refinement, with the goal of producing an opinion in its next in-person meeting.
CCM Minutes – December 1–2, 2023 – Page 11