LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 28, 1996, Page 8

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1. Would a pastor under suspension be allowed to participate in an installation of another pastor at a
neighboring congregation?
2. Would a pastor whose congregation is in a Lutheran school association be allowed to participate in.
the installation of a teacher in that school association?
3. Would a pastor under suspension be allowed to conduct chapel for the school in this association?
The Commission agreed to respond as follows:
The answer of the Commission to your first question is no. However, with respect to questions 2 and 3,
the matter is of a different nature since, as stated, the association in which the congregation holds
membership is served by the suspended member. Thus, the activities of the school association are an
extension of the ministry of the congregation and its pastor.
In view of the above, it would be the responsibility of the President of the district who suspended the
pastor to inform the association so that its rights, as well as those of the suspended member, are
preserved (Bylaw 2.25, d, 3). The decision regarding the installation of the teacher for the association
and/or the conduct of chapel services at the association school would appear to be that of the entity
involved, in this case, the association or those authorized to act in behalf of the association.
In conclusion, the Commission would also note the relevance of 2.25, e, as it relates to the matter of
suspension and assumes these responsibilities are being carried out, namely, that efforts are being made
to minister to the suspended member, that there is concern for his spiritual well-being, and that efforts
are continuing to resolve the matters which led to imposition of the suspended status.
66. Adjournment : Having completed its business, the meeting of the Commission was concluded with
prayer.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - October 23, 1996 - 8.30 p.m. CDT Telephone
Conference
67. Opening : Chairman Tesch called the meeting to order and asked Richard Schlecht to lead the members
of the Commission in prayer. David Piehler, who was not immediately available, joined the telephone
conference later and expressed his agreement with decisions which had been made on the first two items of
the agenda. Rev. Alan Barber was unavailable for the telephone conference.
68. Minnesota South Conflict of Interest Policy (Ag. 2047) : President Lane Seitz of the Minnesota
South District had posed a number of questions to the Commission on Constitutional Matters regarding the
requirement of a signing of a conflict of interest statement by persons who would serve as nominees for
various positions on boards and offices of the district. Questions were asked regarding whether this signing
of the statement could be required, whether persons who refused to sign would be eliminated from further
consideration, and if the signing of the conflict of interest statement could not be required, at what time
would persons be required to sign the conflict of interest statement.
In response to the questions which had been posed, the Commission provided the following opinion: