LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 2, 2025, Page 6

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The question before the commission is whether the authorization of DFLM programs as indicated falls
under the former provision, thus requiring only CUS approval, or the latter, instead requiring approval of
the convention.
The CUS resolution does not create or rename a program of study and certification for commissioned
ministry, so as to create or rename a new category of commissioned ministry, to be added to the list
presented today in Bylaw 2.6.1.1. Such would clearly require action of the convention, pursuant to a
recommendation from CUS as described in Bylaw 3.6.6.1 (g).
This leaves the question of whether the resolution amounts to “new implementation[s]” (Bylaw 3.6.6.1 [b],
delegated to CUS) or an “essential revision” (Bylaw 3.6.6.1 [g], requiring convention action) of an existing
program of study and certification for commissioned ministry / leading to professional church work (namely
the DFLM program). The former, within the realm of CUS BOD to approve, would be an implementation
by a new Concordia university or in an incidentally different outward form of the essence of an existing
program among those listed in Bylaw 2.6.1.1. The latter, requiring convention approval, would be a revision
of the “intrinsic, fundamental nature” or of “an indispensable element” (Collins Dictionary) of an existing
church work program to have a fundamentally different requirement with regard to some presently
indispensable element. In the former case, a graduate’s formation by a “new implementation” would be
readily recognized as “equivalent” in terms of subject matter expertise and ministerial formation to that of
a graduate of one of the other implementations; in the latter, the formation of a graduate of an “essentially
revised” program might not be.
While the relative evaluation of curricula belongs to CUS and not to this commission, the commission
observes that the language of “minor curricular changes” and “including substantially equivalent subject
matter” seems consistent with the sort of “new implementation” of an existing program described in Bylaw
3.6.6.1 (b) and, therefore, within the authority of CUS BOD to authorize.
The commission notes, however, that the provided white paper indicates “All rostered, commissioned
workers in the LCMS take core theology classes that include the study of Old Testament, New Testament,
doctrine and confessions of the LCMS, methods in religious education, and the role of the church
professional. A DFLM takes these classes as well.” However, as might be expected, the master’s level
program descriptions provided do not include this coursework. The commission thus understands the
master’s program to be incomplete, as to certification, in itself, requiring the “core theology class”
requirements to be satisfied through a prior undergraduate church work program or some other means. It
has been clarified for the commission that, while the master’s degree is not inclusive of the theology
requirements, a track for completion of said requirements would be provided and required for those seeking
certification, either via classes at the respective Concordia or through CUEnet (whether by certification or
colloquy). This was likened to the “modularity” of the education major and Lutheran Teacher Diploma
pathway at a number of Concordia universities. Considered within this context, this nuance does not alter
the commission’s conclusion, stated above.
159. Completeness of Record in Bylaw 2.14.4.2 (a) Concurrence (25-3070)
The commission continued to discuss drafting work on this item and determined to continue correspondence
on the item before its next conference.
160. Reconsideration of Op. 24-3031, Adjunct Seminary Faculty (24-3031A)
The commission briefly reviewed a draft on this reconsideration.
161. Plan for Next Meetings
The commission has an internet conference meeting planned for January 13, and an in-person meeting, in
St. Louis, planned for February 6–7. The commission reviewed items remaining on its agenda and plans
for development of opinions.

CCM Minutes – December 2, 2025 – Page 132