LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 17-18, 1987, Page 1

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letter of a resolution adopted by the convention of the Synod in 1969 relating to the eligibility of women
to hold certain positions in congregations, the interpretation of that resolution which appeared in the 1971
Convention Workbook, and a 1981 and 1986 resolution of the Synod in which the interpretation of the
Commission was supported.
With response to the matter of recourse which the Synod might have if a congregation does not follow the
policy adopted by the Synod, the Secretary had stated that what should prevent a congregation from
electing a woman as president or elder would be its desire to walk together with other congregations
under the covenant which they have made with each other as members of the Synod. The recourse which
the Synod would have would be to remove a congregation from membership if by its actions it makes it
clear that it no longer wishes to abide by that covenant.
The Commission ratified the response of the Secretary.
49. Adjournment : Having completed its business, Chairman Schnelz led the members in a closing
prayer as the Commission concluded its meeting.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - July 17-18, 1987
50. Opening Devotion : Chairman Schnelz, at whose home the Commission was holding its meeting,
opened the meeting with prayer.
51. Calvary Lutheran Chapel (Ag. 1796) : Judge Groh provided a report on progress in resolving the
differences between Calvary Lutheran Chapel of Madison, Wisconsin, and the District Committee on
Constitutional Matters. In his discussion with representatives from Calvary, he had suggested that the
group work through the district and undertake a study on what constitutes the matter of authority since
differences seemed to revolve around the matter of a woman being in a position of authority in the
congregational structure. The Commission will be awaiting the outcome of discussions which are planned
between the staff of Calvary Lutheran Chapel and the District Constitution Committee and will take no
further action unless requested by either the congregation or the committee.
52. Campus Ministry - Sacramento (Ag. 1808,B,C) : Discussion was begun on a request from the
Board of Directors of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District to determine whether the campus activity
which is supported financially by the district was proper within the boundaries of the Constitution and
Bylaws of the Synod and of resolutions which had been adopted by the Synod. Correspondence with
regard to this matter had also been received from Trinity Lutheran Church of Exeter, California and
Trinity Lutheran Church, Palo Alto, California. After reviewing the issues involved, the Commission
decided to defer action on the matter until later in the meeting.
53. (Ag. 1810,a) : Rev. Louis Rush, chairman of the Northwest District' Committee on Constitutional
Matters, had forwarded a set of Guidelines for Congregational Constitutions and Bylaws which had been
developed within the district. The Commission expressed its appreciation for the document and for the
comments which were included with each of the sections. It did, however, express its serious concern
about the comments included in 7.0.3 of that document which do not include the phrase, "usurp authority
over men." The Secretary was asked to respond to Pastor Rush indicating its deep concern about this
omission and to include the full opinion of the Commission on Constitutional Matters on this issue. Pastor
Rush was to be advised that congregations must be very conscious of subordinating 7.0.4 to 7.0.3 of the