LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 13-14, 1976, Page 9

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d. To assist and advise congregations, pastors, and teachers affiliated with the Association of
Evangelical Lutheran Churches.
e. To establish and conduct all such enterprises and endeavors and to exercise such powers as may
be necessary or expedient to carry out the objectives and purposes for which this corporation is
organized."
These are clearly functions of a church body. Furthermore, they include functions which The
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, in relation to its members individually and in jurisdictional
subdivisions, has reserved to itself (Constitution, Article III, 1, 3, 7, 8; Articles of Incorporation, Article
II, a, b, c, d, e, f; Bylaw 3.07 e). It is therefore clear that the Association of Evangelical Lutheran
Churches is not only a church body but also (unlike other existing Lutheran church bodies such as the
Lutheran Church in America and The American Lutheran Church) has been organized by members of
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in direct opposition to the Synod. It is therefore to be regarded as
schismatic and in violation of the first object of the Synod set forth in its Constitution, Article III: "The
objects of the Synod are: 1. The conservation and promotion of the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1
Cor. 1:10) and a united defense against schism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17)."
It should also be noted that the AELC has formally applied under date of July 8, 1976 to The
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod for recognition as "a Lutheran church body."
III.
In view of these facts the Commission on Constitutional Matters rules:
1. That congregations, pastors, and teachers cannot be affiliated with the Association of
Evangelical Lutheran Churches and/or its related bodies without forfeiting their membership in the
Synod.
2. That District presidents are obligated to make a serious effort to regain such congregations,
pastors, and teachers for The Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod and failing in this to remove their names
promptly from various official mailing lists and rosters as those who have forfeited their membership in
the Synod.
3.
That such congregations, pastors, and teachers are ineligible to participate in the process of
electing delegates to a synodical convention.
4. That members of such congregations and such pastors and teachers cannot serve as voting or
advisory delegates to synodical or District conventions.
5. That such individuals cannot hold any office in the Synod or in any of its Districts.
6. That members of congregations which have withdrawn in protest from the Synod or have
forfeited their membership in the Synod cannot remain on the clergy or teacher rosters of the Synod.
7. That District presidents and other officers cannot retain their synodical or District office while
functioning in any way in any movement creating or encouraging the creation of ecclesiastical
organizations in opposition to the Synod.
THE COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Herbert Mueller, Secretary