LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 27, 1987, Page 1

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Elders of the congregation had also requested reconsideration of the opinion of the Commission on
Constitutional Matters relative to the suspension of voting membership.
The Commission reviewed all correspondence and after having done so decided to reply that it had
reconsidered and reaffirmed its original decision and endorsed the two options stated by President Bauer
in his letter of November 20 to the Board of Elders. It believes that he has provided excellent, firm
guidance in dealing with this matter. The Commission is making no attempt to suggest the choice of
options which the congregation should make since the choice is clearly that of the congregation.
39. Adjournment : The meeting of the Commission was concluded with prayer led by Judge Groh.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - March 27, 1987
40. Devotion : At the request of Chairman Schnelz, Walter Rosin led the members of the Commission in
an opening prayer.
41. Commission on Appeals (Ag. 1778) : At its last meeting, the Commission had asked Chairman
Schnelz to contact the chairman of the Commission on Appeals to discuss possible conflicts between the
decisions of the Commission on Constitutional Matters and the Commission on Appeals and to indicate
the intention to clarify the responsibility of each group. This had been done and Chairman Schnelz had
prepared a letter setting forth the view of the Commission on Constitutional Matters with regard to its
responsibilities and its procedure in dealing with matters which are brought to its attention. Basically, the
Commission on Constitutional Matters is concerned, not with the determination of facts, but with the
interpretation of the Constitution, Bylaws and resolutions of the Synod as they relate to facts as they have
been presented. The Commission reviewed the letter and suggested several changes in it before
forwarding it to the attention of the Commission on Appeals.
43. Calvary Lutheran Chapel - Campus Ministry (Ag. 1796A,B) : At a previous meeting, the
Commission on Constitutional Matters had responded to questions coming from the South Wisconsin
Constitution Committee and Calvary Lutheran Chapel relating to the Constitution of Calvary which did
not clearly specify positions which were not to be held by women in the congregation. It had also used the
term "convener" for the president of the group. In reacting to the response of the Commission, Calvary
Lutheran Chapel and Student Center had responded to the Commission on Constitutional Matters by
stating that it felt that a more specific response was needed with regard to its second question. It asked the
Commission to respond to the question, "Does exclusion of the specific statement mentioned above fall
within the proper latitude allowed by Article VII of the Constitution of the Missouri Synod and Bylaw
1.19 b to which it refers?" The specific statement which had been excluded was one which limited the
holding of the offices of elder and president to males only.
In response to the request of Calvary Lutheran Chapel, the Commission decided to respond that it stood
on its original opinion. It further indicated that in its view the matters on which it was being asked to
provide an opinion were appropriate first for consideration of the District Committee on Constitutional
Matters. This was especially true in view of the fact that Calvary Lutheran Chapel had adopted
unconventional nomenclature for its offices. Unconventional titles often involve ambiguity and it is the
view of the Commission that it is the responsibility of the congregation and the District Committee on
Constitutional Matters to determine which offices involve functions of the pastoral office. It further noted
that if further inquiry is to be made of the Commission on Constitutional Matters, such inquiry should be