LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 27, 1993, Page 7

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Bylaws, what remedy is appropriate?; and 3) Does such activity warrant suspension of the congregation
which has purchased this property from membership in The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod? The
Commission decided to respond as follows:
The autonomy of congregations is clearly stated in the Constitution of the Synod in Article VII. This
article states that
In its relation to its members the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising legislative
work or coercive powers, and with respect to the individual congregation's right of self-government
it is but an advisory body. Accordingly, no resolution of the Synod imposing anything upon the
individual congregation is of binding force if it is not in accordance with the Word of God or if it
appears to be inexpedient as far as the condition of a congregation is concerned.
In view of this, if congregations are autonomous, they can make decisions regarding location of
worship facilities, etc. Nevertheless, as Bylaw 1.05 states in regard to relationships of congregation,
Synod, district, circuit "individual Christians are joined together in a worshiping and serving
community, the Christian congregation. Congregations, the basic units of the Synod, have joined
together to form the Synod and relate to one another through the Synod."
In view of the above, it appears that what is involved is the question of whether action such as taken by
a congregation in relocating directly opposite another congregation of the Synod involves relationships
which include Christian concern for one another; not only what is possible but what is right and what is
acceptable Christian behavior toward those with whom a bond of fellowship exists within The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod. In other words, the issue involved does not rest on the level of constitutional
matters, but on the level of spiritual matters.
The Commission would note that on the basis of Bylaw 4.75, "the district president, even without
formal request therefore, may through the proper channels arrange for an official visit or investigation
when a controversy arises in a congregation or between two or more congregations of the district, or
when there is evidence of a continuing unresolved problem in doctrinal practice." If the issue is one
which involves spiritual matters, particularly matters which relate to a controversy arising between two
or more congregations in the district, it would appear that the procedures for dispute resolution outlined
in Chapter VIII should be followed.
In addition to those bylaws already cited above, the Commission believes that careful attention should
be given to Article III of the Constitution, Bylaw 1.01, and all of Bylaw 1.05, especially sections c and
d as these relate to relationships within the Synod.
32. Doctrinal Dissent (Ag. 1956) : The Commission had received a request for an opinion from a pastor in
the North Wisconsin District who stated that a pastor of a congregation in the circuit to which he belonged
had been openly teaching the elders of his church that Holy Scripture supports the ordination of women into
the pastoral ministry. He stated that the same presentation which had been made to the elders was being
made to pastors in the circuit through a document which was "prepared as a discussion document." The
pastor who was making the presentation had stated that his conclusion that women should be allowed in the
pastoral office, was already, in his mind, determined before writing the study. The question which was now
being addressed to the Commission was, "Has this pastor violated synodical Bylaw 2.39 c, in the 1992
Handbook, by teaching this to his elders?" It was pointed out that the Synod has clearly addressed this issue
many times and has affirmed its stance in opposition to the ordination of women to the pastoral office.
In response to the request, the Commission decided to respond as follows: