LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 21–22, 2025, Page 18

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filled by an ordained or commissioned minister, the commission reads this Bylaw as being limited by Bylaw
2.11. Bylaw 2.11.1 provides a list of positions that an ordained or commissioned minister must have in
order to remain on the roster of the Synod as an active member. Of relevance to the question at hand is
2.11.1 (g): “[a] person serving on the faculty or professional staff of an educational institution of the Synod.”
The use of “faculty” in this Bylaw does not distinguish between full-time faculty, part-time faculty and the
president of an institution, so, similar to our analysis in Question 3, we read this as applying to all types of
faculty. Therefore, if a part-time faculty position that does not require an ordained or commissioned minister
is nonetheless being filled by an ordained or commissioned minister, then Bylaw 3.11.1 (b) would require
that the appointment be affirmed with a solemn call, and the receiving of such call would make that position
a “called position” under the Bylaws, including Bylaw 4.4.3 (a).
Question 5:

Where an ordained or commissioned minister is to serve as a part-time faculty member of
a seminary, must he be installed in such position in accordance with Bylaw 4.4.3?

Opinion:
Having determined above that an ordained or commissioned minister serving as a part-time
member of a seminary faculty is to be serving in a “called position,” the commission finds that Bylaw 4.3.3
(a) requires that such individual be installed into such position.
107. Pastoral Formation Committee and Existing Routes (24-3039)
A congregation of the Synod, by an email of Nov. 11, requested an opinion on the following questions.
Consistent with Bylaw 3.9.2.2 (b), written input was solicited from the boards of regents of seminaries and
universities of the Synod, as well as from the members of the Pastoral Formation Committee.
Background: The Pastoral Formation Committee (PFC) was created by 2016 Resolution 6-01 to foster
collaboration between the seminaries, following the report of the 2013 Resolution 5-14A Task Force, which
“recognized ‘the need to provide for greater coordination and collaboration between our two seminaries’”
and “recommended ‘that there be an entity ensuring that the seminaries do coordinate and collaborate with
respect to these various programs’” (2016 R64, Workbook, p. 279).
The Handbook provisions governing the PFC appear in Bylaws 3.10.4–3.10.4.7. In addition to fostering
collaboration, the PFC is assigned one specific power: it “shall” recommend any new routes leading to
ordination for approval by resolution of the Synod (Bylaw 3.10.4.1).
The PFC also is directed to “review, assess, coordinate, and make suggestions for improvement of all
existing noncolloquy routes leading to ordination in the Synod, including seminary and pre-seminary
education programs” (Bylaw 3.10.4.3). Other PFC responsibilities are outlined in Bylaws 3.10.4 and
3.10.4.4–5.
The 2023 Synod convention resolved “That the seminaries, in consultation with the Pastoral Formation
Committee, retain responsibility for the academic, admissions, and financial parameters for each approved
non-residential route to ordination in the Synod” (2023 Resolution 6-03A).
The Bylaws governing the seminary board of regents are found at 3.10.5–3.10.5.5. Particularly relevant to
this opinion is Bylaw 3.10.5: “Each seminary of the Synod, with its president and faculty, shall be governed
by a board of regents, subject to general policies set by the Synod.”
Question 1:

If a seminary board of regents wishes to modify the academic, admissions, or financial
parameters, or the means or place of instruction, for any existing approved non-residential,
noncolloquy route to ordination in the Synod of such seminary, and such action would
otherwise comply with any applicable Synod Bylaw, Constitution, or resolution
requirements or restrictions on the authority of such board (e.g., the third resolved in 2023
Res. 6-03A), do the provisions of Bylaws 3.10.4–3.10.4.7 require such board to obtain the
authorization or consent of the PFC before the board takes such action?

Opinion:
As further background specific to this question, the Bylaws concerning the Pastoral
Formation Committee (PFC) need to be read in conjunction with the Bylaws governing seminaries as
CCM Minutes – March 21–22, 2025 – Page 85