LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 10-11, 1992, Page 8

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WHEREAS, Such presentations have the potential for creating doubt in the minds of both pastors and
lay people as to the Synod's official position on the issue of women publicly preaching in our
churches; and
WHEREAS, This situation has arisen in the Texas District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
and the district has not expressed itself formally on this subject in recent years, if ever; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Texas District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in convention gathered
express its conviction that I Corinthians 14:34-35 and I Timothy 2:11-12 clearly prohibit women from
occupying the pastoral office and/or publicly preaching the Word of God; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Texas District of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod in convention gathered,
exhort all pastors and teachers of the district not to teach contrary to our Synod's position on this
matter, but to follow our synodical procedures for doctrinal dissent as contained in Bylaw 2-39,c,
synodical Handbook 1989, page 33.
The district president had requested an opinion concerning the compatibility with and validity of the
resolution in connection with the Handbook and convention resolutions of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The Secretary had prepared an opinion which stated,
"A personal reaction is that the resolves are valid and compatible with the Handbook and
resolutions of the Synod. The whereases, however, in particular the last three, involve questions
of fact. The determination of facts contained in them is not within the purview of the
Commission. If the Commission is expected to respond to the entire resolution, including the
whereases, I believe it must decline to offer an opinion. If an opinion is only requested on the two
resolves, it is quite possible that the entire Commission will ratify the personal opinion expressed
above. It is equally possible that it will disagree."
The Commission now ratified the response of the Secretary which had been forwarded to the President of
the Texas District.
77. SELC Bylaws (Ag. 1922) : The Secretary had reviewed the Bylaws adopted by the SELC District
and found that they were not in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. This was reported
to the Commission on Constitutional Matters which ratified the judgment of the Secretary.
78. Michigan District CEF Bylaws : At its district convention, the Michigan District had revised its
bylaws regarding membership of the Church Extension Board. It had requested a review of this action and
a ratification of it as being not in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. The Secretary
had reviewed the proposed change and had notified the Michigan District Secretary that the proposed
change was acceptable. This opinion was ratified by the Commission.
79. Iowa District West Bylaws (Ag. 1924) : District Handbook changes adopted by the Iowa District
West convention had been forwarded for review regarding their compatibility with the Constitution and
Bylaws of the Synod. The Secretary had reviewed the adopted changes and had informed the district
Secretary that the changes were found to be in harmony with the Handbook of the Synod.
80. Time Frame for Commission on Appeals Hearings : A letter had been received from a pastor
requesting an opinion from the Commission on Constitutional Matters regarding the following: