LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 4-5, 1994, Page 6

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definition of membership which had been issued earlier and printed in the August, 1994 Reporter. He stated
his disagreement with the conclusions which had been reached.
The Commission took note of the request and the rationale which was provided and then responded as
follows:
The rationale as based upon Bylaw 3.905 d is that the Commission is only to respond to requests from
members of the Synod, not members of member congregations.
99. Questions Posed Regarding Congregational Autonomy and Related Matters (Ag. 1994) : A vicepresident of a congregation had posed the following questions for consideration by the Commission:
1. How does The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod interpret congregational autonomy?
2. What is to be the relation between the congregation in the utilization of autonomy and the pastor in
the exercise of the pastoral office?
3. What constitutes the inability of a pastor to perform the functions of the pastoral office?
4. Specifically, does congregational autonomy include the authority to dismiss a pastor for other than the
Scriptural reason of false doctrine, immoral life, and the inability of the pastor physically to carry
out the duties of his office?
The Secretary had provided a personal response to the congregational vice president which incorporated
previous rulings of the Commission which responded to some of the questions which had been raised. In
considering the matter before it, the Commission decided that the matter was not a matter for consideration
by the Commission itself. It responds only to requests signed by persons authorized by the congregation or
that entity which is empowered to act between meetings such as the church council or an equivalent body. It
therefore declined to provide a response to the request for an opinion.
100. Election of Circuit Delegates Request With Respect to Delegate Election (Ag. 199511996) : The
church council of a congregation had asked the Commission on Constitutional Matters to respond to the
following four questions:
1. May a pastor who has been dismissed by the voter's assembly of his congregation and is involved
with the dispute resolution process (Synodical Handbook Bylaw VIII) serve as the voting pastoral
delegate of that congregation at a Circuit forum?
2. Can a Circuit forum determine the eligibility of such a pastor to serve as the pastoral delegate?
3. If it is improper for this pastor to serve as a delegate and the Circuit forum allowed this pastor to vote
in the election of Circuit delegates to the Synodical convention, would this render the election
invalid?
4. The constitution of a congregation states the following in its bylaws concerning delegates and
alternates:
The congregation shall elect delegates and alternates to all organizations to which this
congregation is a member. Delegates shall report to the congregation whenever
necessary. Reports shall be limited to fifteen minutes unless the time is extended by a
resolution of the congregation. Delegates and alternates shall serve for one year or until
their duties have been completed.