LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 2, 1995, Page 1

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1.

If after requesting "emeritus status" a pastor does not maintain membership in an LCMS parish,
does that automatically result in self removal from the roster of the LCMS?

1.

If that is the case, does such an individual have the usual rights of the adjudication/reconciliation
process of the Synod?

In response, the Commission stated that Bylaw 2.17 is very clear when it states,
"To remain an emeritus member, the minister must be a communicant member of a member
congregation."
Consequently, if it can be demonstrated that an emeritus pastor has requested and been granted a release
from membership in a member congregation of the Synod rather than a transfer of membership to another
congregation, such pastor has forfeited his membership as well as the right attached to that membership,
including the right to the adjudication or reconciliation process of the Synod.
120. Identification of LCMS, Inc. for Accounting Purposes (Ag , 1981, 1985) “ The Commission once
again took up the matter of attending to questions posed by Dr. Norman Sell. Considerable discussion again
took place with regard to the opinion which had been proposed and some minor modifications were
suggested. The following discussion and agreement on the opinion as modified was adopted.
Because of his membership on the Board of Directors of the Synod, the Secretary did not participate in the
vote. It was agreed that reference to refraining from the vote would be included in a footnote to the opinion.
Following adoption, the Commission also agreed that it would not meet with the Board of Directors as had
been requested since it had adopted its response which would be forwarded to the Board, as well as other
boards affected by the ruling. A copy of the ruling is attached to the protocol copy of the minutes.
121. Adjournment : The meeting was closed with prayer led by the Secretary.
Walter L. Rosin Secretary

NOTE: SEE ADDENDUM (121B.) TO MARCH 2 MINUTES ON PAGE FOLLOWING
March 2, 1995
Addendum
121b. Dispute Resolution Process (Ag. 2001) :A Dispute Resolution Panel had been constituted and had
met with a district president and a pastor suspended by him who was now challenging that suspension. In
the process of meeting, the pastor had declined to sign an arbitration agreement. As a result, the panel was
not prepared to proceed with a hearing and had raised the following questions:
Is an ordained or commissioned member of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, who has requested
the formation of a Dispute Resolution Panel, for the purpose of having the matter of his suspension
from the roster of the Synod heard and resolved, in accord with Bylaw 2.27 c 2 c, required to sign the
Agreement to Arbitrate? If he refuses to sign the Agreement to Arbitrate, does that member forfeit his
right to have the issue heard further and thereby consent to termination of membership in Synod?
The Commission offers the following opinion in response: