LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 8, 2026, Page 6

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The commission also noted for its own attention and that of the Board of Directors, relative to Bylaw 1.2.1
(r), that, especially given new types of subordinate entities, the restrictions on transfer of property needing
to be placed in various governing documents will require careful consideration.
5. Veterans Administration Chaplains and Bylaw Changes (26-3086)
By an email of July 30, the Secretary and the Director of Ministry to the Armed Forces submitted a question
to the commission requesting confirmation that one effect of Res. 4-05 was to transfer responsibility for
calls of chaplains to the Veterans Administration (VA) from the Board for National Mission (which
continues to extend calls to other “church workers serving in specialized ministry roles in institutions”) to
the Board for International Mission, which extends calls related to “ministry for all of the Synod’s military
personnel.” The bylaw change, in this regard, simply removed the VA as an example of a type of
“institutional and agency chaplain and other non-foreign specialized minister,” changing the quoted
language to “church workers serving in specialized ministry roles in institutions” and leaving examples,
other than the VA, of settings in which such might serve.
The commission, noting that the rationale included the determination by the Offices of National and
International Mission (ONM and OIM, respectively) that “the work of chaplains serving in the [VA] is
more closely aligned and thus better supported by the Ministry to the Armed Forces, which is a department
of the OIM, confirmed the understanding that one effect of Res. 4-05 is to transfer said responsibility from
ONM to OIM and referred the bylaw language to the Commission on Handbook for any necessary, nonsubstantive clarification.
6. Meeting Review and Adjournment
The agenda being concluded, the commission adjourned with the Lord’s Prayer. The commission awaits
appointment of two new members in seats being vacated by Rev. Peters and Atty. Deadrick, these having
reached the end of their allowed terms with the thanks of grateful brothers on the commission and a grateful
Synod. Upon such appointments, expected to take place during the Sept. 19–21 meeting of the Council of
Presidents, the commission will plan its next meeting, at which it will organize for the new triennium.
John W. Sias, Secretary

CCM Minutes – September 8, 2026 – Page 6