LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 30, 1998, Page 1

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Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - September 30, 1998
1. Opening
Chairman Walter Tesch called the Commission's first meeting of the 1998-2001 triennium to order and
called upon Dr. Richard Schlecht for an opening prayer.
2. Constitutionality of Bylaws on Dissent (98- 2120)
A letter from a pastor in effect questioning the constitutionality of the Bylaws on dissent in the synodical
Handbook was discussed. Prior to the meeting a copy of this letter had been shared with the Executive
Director of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations for his input. Dr. Sam Nafzger offered a
copy of a presentation he had made some years earlier to the Minnesota South District Pastors Conference,
suggesting that the questions raised by the pastor were addressed in the paper. The Commission
commended Dr. Nafzger's paper, "Synod: Walking Together," to the pastor for his study, with an invitation
that he resubmit his concerns to the Commission should his questions be not fully addressed.
3. District President Fellowship and Discipline Questions (98-2122)
In a letter to the Commission, a District President submitted a series of questions relating to Articles III and
VI of the Constitution and also Bylaw 2.27, b and g, and Bylaw 2.41, d. To more fully understand the
content and significance of key phrases in these particular articles of the Constitution, the Commission
invited Dr. August Suelflow to be present at its meeting to provide some of the history behind the wording
of Articles III and VI.
Dr. Suelflow began his presentation with historical information regarding Article 11, which he considers
foundational to the following articles, underscoring from the historical setting the significance of the words
"without reservation." He also called attention to the commentary on these articles provided by Dr. C. F. W.
Walther, primary author of the Constitution, at the same time also underscoring the care that was taken with
the original wording, wording which for the most part is the same as that in use today.
The Commission decided to delay its response to several of the questions raised by the District President
pending further research and study, noting the significance of the questions being raised. Replies were given
to the remainder of the questions, however, as follows:
In your letter of July 29 you asked the Commission to provide answers to a number of questions in
several categories. The Commission is prepared to respond to most of your questions at this time but
asks your patience with regard to your third question which specifically addresses Article 111 (1) of the
Constitution of the Synod and in particular its statement that one of the objectives of the Synod is to
"conserve and promote the unity of the true faith" by providing "a united defense against schism,
sectarianism (Romans 16:17), and heresy." The Commission will also delay its answer to your fourth
question regarding Article VI and "the participation of pastors of other churches or confessions in the
services and sacramental rites of a congregation of the Synod." These questions will remain unanswered
for the present time to allow for further study.
Several other of your questions, however, pertain to the remainder of Article 111, 1, where, as you have
correctly noted, it is stated that a primary objective of our Synod is "'to conserve and promote the unity
of the true faith' by working through the official structure of the Synod toward fellowship with other
Christian church bodies." Your first question to the Commission in this regard was:
1. "Is it correct to assume that the reference to working through the official structure of the Synod
toward fellowship with other Christian church bodies refers to procedures and actions such as the