LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 31, 1996, Page 3

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Requests for such documents must be made to the district or synodical entity which has custody of such
records and is responsible for the proper maintenance and handling of them.
34. Dispute Resolution Procedure (Ag. 2028) : In a letter of January 24, 1996, the following question was
posed for consideration by the Commission on Constitutional Matters:
If a dispute arises between members of Synod who are separated by a long distance over false
doctrine/practice being publicly advocated by one of the members, with the result that an official
complaint is lodged with that member's district president, can compliance with the requirements of
Matt. 18:15-16 as mandated by Synod's Bylaws be accomplished through telephone and letter
correspondence, or must there be a "face-to-face" meeting between the members involved in the
dispute?
As an example, the pastor requesting an opinion had cited a possible dispute between persons living in areas
separated by a wide distance.
After discussing the matter at some length, the Commission decided to respond as follows:
Responding to your question, the Commission has concluded that the Bylaws are not explicit in
responding to the question posed and, therefore, is unable to provide a definite answer. Bylaw 8.05 is,
in the opinion of the Commission, intended to embody a principle of Scripture. Official interpretation of
that Scripture is beyond the purview of the Commission on Constitutional Matters. The Commission
would therefore respectfully suggest that the question would better be referred to the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations and would encourage you to follow that course of action.
35. Adjournment : Having completed its business, the Commission concluded its telephone conference
with prayer led by Rev. Schlecht.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

D. SYNODICAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND
OTHER SYNOD WIDE BOARDS
3.181 Role
a. The business and legal affairs of the Synod shall be conducted in accord with Bylaw 1.07.
b. Article XI of the Constitution provides for a synodical Board of Directors. Synodical conventions
have authorized other corporate and legal entities which function as servants of and to the congregations
and the Synod in their assigned areas of responsibility. These other synod wide corporate and legal entities
whose purpose and functions are described in the Bylaws are:
Concordia Publishing House
The Lutheran Church Extension Fund-Missouri Synod
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Foundation
Worker Benefit Plans
Concordia University System
Concordia Historical Institute