LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 13, 1992, Page 3

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89. Dual Membership (Ag, 1926) : A pastor had written with regard to a congregation in the CaliforniaNevada-Hawaii District which, he stated, holds dual membership status with the LCMS and the ELCA. A
bulletin from the congregation reflecting that situation had been enclosed. The question which was raised
was whether, according to the Constitution, Bylaws and convention resolutions of the LCMS, this situation
was permissible.
The Commission decided to respond as follows:
Previous rulings of the Commission on Constitutional Matters as wen as resolutions adopted by the
convention of the Synod have made it clear that dual membership, such as that which is reflected in the
situation of the parish in the California-Nevada-Hawaii District are not permitted. At the same time,
however, it has been clearly understood that congregations who hold such dual membership are to be
dealt with evangelically by the district president involved. If anyone wishes to bring a complaint with
respect to this condition, Bylaw 2.27 - Commencing an action to terminate congregational or individual
membership, outlines the procedure to be followed. This includes a statement of the case in writing by a
complainant to the president of the district who has ecclesiastical supervision over the congregation,
investigation by the district president and a decision as to whether to proceed with suspension of the
individual member or congregation. If the decision is to proceed, the procedures which are identified in
2.27,c and d will be followed. If the decision is not to proceed, complaint, on the basis of 2.27,f may be
brought to the Praesidium which will determine whether to proceed or not to proceed. If the decision is
not to proceed, that terminates the matter.
The pastor had also asked that documentation of the LCMS position on this matter of dual membership be
forwarded to him. Together with the response of the Commission on Appeals to his question, Res. 5-01 of
the Dallas convention, Res. 5-08 of the 1979 St. Louis convention, and the 1986 Indianapolis convention
resolution which declined overtures dealing with these issues since they had been dealt with by previous
conventions is to be included in order to meet the total request.
The Commission also stated that the California-Nevada-Hawaii District President and the President of the
Synod are to be alerted to this response.
90. Conditions of Membership - Article VI (Ag. 1930) : At a South Wisconsin District Pastoral
Conference in which the CTCR study document entitled "Inter-Christian Relationships" questions had
arisen with regard to the application of Article VI, 2 of the Constitution as it related to various situations
which were proposed by the commission in its document. As a result of that discussion, the conference had
adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, The Constitution of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod states that "conditions for
acquiring and holding membership in the Synod" include "renunciation of Unionism and syncretism of
every description such as: ... taking part in the services and sacramental rites of heterodox congregations
or of congregations of mixed confession" (Article VI, 2); and
WHEREAS, The CTCR study document entitled "Inter-Christian Relationships" states that "it is our
judgment that Article VI and other official statements of the Synod do not explicitly address all such
questions and circumstances" and "would limit the participation of synodical pastors, teachers,
deaconesses, and congregations in such events only when doctrinal compromise would be involved" (p.
34); and
WHEREAS, Such conclusions and suggestions are interpretations of the Synod's Constitution and, as
such, may or may not be correct and may or may not lead to confusion among the members of Synod; and