LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 18, 1998, Page 9

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followed the guidelines of Matt. 18. Prior to the hearing, the pastor had been informed that if that was his
view, he would have the opportunity to present that before the Dispute Resolution Panel, which would have
the responsibility for making the decision of whether or not that had been done. The pastor had, however,
refused to appear before the panel.
In response to the request of the pastor, the Commission stated
The Commission on Constitutional Matters met on February 18, 1998. Your letter of January 30, 1998,
was discussed at that time. Although you yourself raise the question of whether you have standing to
raise such a question, the Commission feels that there is another reason that it cannot consider your
request. This is because the request was not presented in the proper fashion.
The Commission understands that your case was decided under Bylaw Chapter VIII by a Dispute
Resolution Panel. Bylaw 8.21, i, provides that when a matter has been heard by a Dispute Resolution
Panel, any requests for interpretation of the Constitution or Bylaws of the Synod relating to that dispute
must be made through the Dispute Resolution Panel or the Review Panel that hears the case. Since your
questions were not presented in that fashion, the Commission on Constitutional Matters cannot consider
them. This Commission cannot act as an appellate body for those who seek to collaterally attack a result
arrived at through the dispute resolution process, which process has apparently already been concluded
in the case in keeping with the Bylaws.
149. Blue Ribbon Committee Report: The President's Blue Ribbon Committee on Structure had prepared
a report for presentation to the 1998 convention. In keeping with its responsibilities, the Commission
reviewed the report together with the bylaw revisions which were being proposed.
150. Texas District Bylaws: Proposed bylaw changes for the Texas District were referred to Dr. Schlecht
for consideration and for report at a later meeting of the Commission.
151. Adjournment: Having completed its business, the meeting of the Commission was adjourned with
prayer.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - May 15,1998
152. Opening: At the request of Chairman Tesch, Dr. Richard Schlecht opened the meeting with prayer.
153. Old Business: Several matters had been brought forward in the last meeting of the Commission had
still not been resolved. These dealt with the authority of the Board of Directors and related issues (Ag.
2094, 2094A, and the meaning of term, "fails to act" Ag. 2097). It was stated that drafts of responses to
these matters would be available at the next meeting of the Commission.
154. Doctrinal Resolutions and Statements (Ag. 2100): A member of a faculty of one of the synodical
universities had asked for an opinion of the Commission on the following questions:
1. Is there an official definition of which doctrinal formulations are binding upon LCMS members
today?