LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 30, 1990, Page 4

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MOTION: Whereas, the Commission on Theology and Church Relations has rendered the opinion
that the resolution, if adopted, would not change the confessional position of the Synod (subscription
is to the Lutheran Confessions, not to the wording of Article II); and
Whereas, this resolution would not change the doctrinal basis of the Synod; and
Whereas, the proposed changes would not conflict with Article II; and
Whereas, if this resolution were adopted there would be no need for members to sign the Constitution
again; therefore be it
Resolved, that this Commission rules that adoption of such a proposal would not conflict with the
provisions of the Constitution; and be it further
Resolved, that the resolution be considered again at the next meeting of this Commission.

The question was asked as whether the Commission on Constitutional Matters of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod would see any problems if the Lutheran Church--Canada were to adopt suggested
changes. The proposed changes in Article II of the Constitution of Lutheran Church--Canada would be as
follows:
The Synod, and every member of the Synod, excepts without reservation:
1

The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the inspired, inerrant, and infallible
written word of God and the only rule and norm, source, norm, and judge of faith, teaching,
and practice;

2. All the Symbolical Books confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, as a true
and unadulterated statement and exposition true, clear, and genuine statement and exposition
of the doctrines of the Word of God, to wit: namely: the three Ecumenical Creeds (the
Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed), the Unaltered Augsburg
Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, the Treatise on
the Power and Primacy of the Pope, the Large Catechism of Luther, the Small Catechism of
Luther, Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms, and the Formula of Concord.
After considering the request, the Commission concluded that the concern would more properly be
referred to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and therefore took no action on the matter.
42. Pastoral Voting Eligibility (Ag. 1898) : A district president stated that an agreement had been drawn
up between Trinity Lutheran Church, Worden, Illinois, and the Rev. Dr. Charles T. Knippel for him to
serve as pastor of Trinity. The question which the district president addressed to the Commission was
whether or not Dr. Knippel is entitled to vote as a pastor of Trinity at the district convention and whether
he has other similar voting privileges. A copy of the agreement had been appended to the request of the
district president. In replying, the Commission decided to response as follows:
You have asked the question of whether under the circumstances described Dr. Knippel is entitled to
vote as the pastor of Trinity at the district convention and whether he has other similar voting
privileges. It is understood that Pastor Knippel is serving as the pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church
under an agreement reached between him and that congregation.