LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 13, 1992, Page 4

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WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters is charged with interpreting the Synod's
Constitution "upon the written request of a member (congregation, ordained or commissioned minister),
official board, commission or agency of the Synod" (Bylaw 3.533,d); therefore be it
Resolved That the Pastoral Conference of the South Wisconsin District request, from the Commission on
Constitutional Matters of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod an interpretation of Article VI paragraph
2 of the Constitution in relationship to the conclusions reached by the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations in "Inter-Christian Relationships," answering specifically:
Does Article VI of the Synod's Constitution limit "the participation of synodical pastors, teachers,
deaconesses, and congregations in such events only when doctrinal compromise might be involved"
("Inter-Christian Relationships" p. 34)?
Do the restrictions of Article VI apply to "taking part in special services sponsored jointly by
associations or groups of churches not in church fellowship with each other and intended for
Christians of several or all denominations in a given area" ("Inter-Christian Relationships p. 34)?
Does Article VI apply to "taking part in certain occasional joint activities or gatherings at which
worship takes place, as distinguished from the regular and official public and corporate worship
services of congregations. Examples would include joint Christian celebrations, gatherings, rallies,
convocations, commencements, [etc.] ..." ("Inter-Christian Relationships," pp. 33-34)?
Does Article VI allow the following interpretation: "... we believe that under certain circumstances it
would be fully consistent with the biblical principles of fellowship for the members of the Synod to
attend or to participate in the conducting or sponsorship of such events or activities" ("Inter-Christian
Relationships," p. 34)?
After reviewing each of the questions which had been posed, the Commission decided to respond as
follows:
The question of the application of the language of Article VI in the Constitution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is a matter which falls within the purview of the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations which is to provide study materials on the basis of which, the Synod may determine the
application. The study document which the CTCR has prepared and which is now in circulation is
intended to serve that purpose. At the conclusion of this study it will be the Synod's responsibility in
keeping with the Bylaws to make the ultimate decision regarding the position of the Synod in relation to
questions such as those which have been posed.
The Commission does not believe that there is a specific question of constitutional or bylaw stipulation
squarely before it and believes that it would be presumptuous for the Commission on Constitutional
Matters to respond at this time to the questions of application which have been posed.
91. Bruch Adjudication (Ag. 1925,B, Min. 81) : Dr. Lane Seitz, president of the Minnesota South District
and Dr. Daniel Bruch, had asked the Commission on Constitutional Matters to respond to the question of
whether or not a decision by the Praesidium of the Synod not to pursue charges brought by two pastors
against Dr. Bruch terminated the matter. The Commission had responded by saying that it clearly did on the
basis of Bylaw 2.27,f, a decision which had previously been made by the Commission on Constitutional
Matters in regard to a case in Oklahoma where an effort was made to bring a matter directly to a
Commission on Adjudication apart from the district president, and the action of the 1989 convention in
rejecting a proposed amendment to Bylaw 2.27,f which would have allowed a complainant to take the
matter to adjudication rather than it being terminated upon a decision of the Praesidium not to pursue a