LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 5, 1988, Page 1

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merely reciting that the Synod's Constitution is its constitution, Concordia Theological Seminary which
has not forwarded articles of incorporation of the Indiana Corporation, and Concordia College, Mequon,
which does not appear to have any documents relating to the corporate status or bylaws of the college.
In the course of the report, the Secretary indicated that he had received a copy of the Indiana District
Bylaws with a request that they be reviewed by the Commission on Constitutional Matters. The Secretary
also reported that he had reviewed these bylaws and found them not to be in conflict with the Constitution
and Bylaws of the Synod. By formal action, the Commission approved the Bylaws of the Indiana District.
86. Calvary Lutheran Chapel (Ag. 1796,C) : The Commission had previously dealt with differences
which existed between the South Wisconsin District Committee on Constitutional Matters and Calvary
Lutheran Chapel, particularly with regard to positions eligible to be held by women. It now received a
request to provide an opinion on the position that opposition to or support of female distribution servers
(excluding the consecration of the elements and admission to the table, which appropriately pastoral
functions) are not elements of "doctrine." It also requested an opinion regarding the position that on this
matter a franchised congregation of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod can exercise the "individual
congregations right of self-government" in this matter and decide who assists the pastor in the distribution
of the elements. The Commission was also in the receipt of a letter from Rev. Edgar J. Otto,
administrative assistant - Missions for the South Wisconsin District, regarding the issues which had been
raised by Calvary Lutheran Chapel. The issues involved were discussed at length, and the Commission
determined to respond as follows:
The Commission on Constitutional Matters has once again been asked to review problems
between Calvary Lutheran Chapel and the Committee for Constitutional Matters of the South
Wisconsin District. The commission would note that it has spent a disproportionate amount of
time on this relationship.
As to the specific question posed in your letter regarding women serving Communion, the
Commission recognizes that the Synod has not spoken either in its Constitution and Bylaws or in
its resolutions precisely to the interpretation of the term, "public administration." Interestingly
enough, Calvary has taken upon itself to provide that interpretation in Article III, A of its bylaws.
The authority for such interpretation is the responsibility of the Synod on the basis of procedures
defined in the Handbook. The matters which are involved in the interpretation provided by
Calvary may well be of a doctrinal nature since they relate to functions of the pastoral ministry. It
is our opinion that the interpretive phrase is to be removed.
It is further the opinion of the Commission that Calvary is misinterpreting the concept of selfgovernance by quoting only the first portion of Bylaw 2.39 b. In appealing to this bylaw, it is
necessary that the entire paragraph be read and heeded. The language contained in the complete
Bylaw is in full accord with the clear teaching of our Lord through the Apostle Paul as found, for
example, in 1 Corinthians 8:13 and 10:24. As the Commission on Theology has succinctly stated
with regard to this matter,
"While some might argue that assisting the presiding minister in the distribution of the
elements is not necessarily a distinctive function of the pastoral office, the Commission
strongly recommends that, to avoid confusion regarding the office of the public ministry
and to avoid giving offense to the church, such assistance be limited to men.
Further, while the Commission on Constitutional Matters rules only on questions placed before it,
it must be mentioned that a review of the correspondence between the District Commission on
Constitutional Matters and Calvary Lutheran Chapel, as well as a review of the proposed
constitution, raises a number of areas of concern which should be resolved between Calvary and