LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 4, 1995, Page 1

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15. Future Meeting and Adjournment : Before adjourning it was announced that a meeting would be held
for the purpose of dealing with the 1995 Handbook of the Synod on December 9, 8:30 a.m., in St. Louis. At
the request of the Chairman, Roland Hopmann concluded the telephone conference with prayer.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - November 4, 1995 Telephone Conference
16. Call to Order : After the calling of the meeting to order by Chairman Groh, the conference call began
with prayer.
17. Statute of Limitations (Ag. 2021) : The Commission had received the request for an opinion regarding
the application of a statute of limitations to charges brought against a pastor. The request was made by a
Dispute Resolution Panel at the request of the pastor against whom charges had been brought. The
Commission, after reviewing the request, provided the following opinion:
In responding to the question, the Commission first notes that the issue which is before the Dispute
Resolution Panel is one of fitness for ministry. In this regard, the preamble to Chapter VIII of the 1992
Handbook clearly states that, "Fitness for ministry and other theological matters must be determined
within the church." The Commission further notes that the bylaws place no limitation of time regarding
consideration of matters which relate to fitness of ministry. Consequently, the Commission concludes
that while a Dispute Resolution Panel may indeed include time elements, manner in which allegations
are brought forward, and similar issues in arriving at its decisions the fact that allegations are barred
from civil court by statute of limitations does not prevent the church from dealing with them.
18. Adjournment : The conference call was concluded with prayer led by Roland Hopmann.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
January 19-20, 1996
19. Opening : The meeting was opened with prayer by Gerhard Bode at the request of the retiring
chairman, Judge Groh.
20. Remarks by Retiring Chairman : In brief remarks, the retiring Chairman reminded newly appointed
members of the function of the Commission on Constitutional Matters and of the importance of maintaining
the integrity of the process involved in reaching decisions if the opinions of the Commission on
Constitutional Matters are to be upheld. This reminder had been shared on a previous occasion by the
Chairman of the Commission through a letter to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. It was further
pointed out that the Commission has operated as a collegial body in that decisions which are arrived at are
those of the group as a whole. It is therefore important to maintain confidentiality as matters are discussed
within the Commission. Finally, it was pointed out that it is difficult to serve on the Commission on
Constitutional Matters since all difficult problems seem to find their way to the group. The fact that the
convention has never overturned a Commission on Constitutional Matters' opinion speaks well for the work
of the Commission throughout its history.