LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 30, 1998, Page 3

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dispute of its decision and direct the appropriate District officer to continue performing his duties under
Bylaw 2.27. However, if its answer is "yes," the Praesidium is then to proceed to the second step, which is
to thoroughly investigate the dispute. In so doing the Praesidium may utilize other persons to assist it in its
investigation.
Upon conclusion of its investigation, the Praesidium is then to proceed to the third step, which will depend
on its findings. If it decides the charges can be substantiated, it shall proceed with the matter in accord with
Bylaws 2.27, a 2, and c in the same fashion as the appropriate District officer would have done had he
concluded that the charges could be substantiated. If it decides that the charges cannot be substantiated, it
shall so advise the parties to the dispute and the matter is terminated.
14. Questions Re Discipline and Fellowship in Articles III and VI of the Constitution (98-2122)
Two questions remained from a list of questions regarding discipline and fellowship submitted by a District
President in a letter received July 31, 1998, questions that the Commission delayed answering at the time of
its September 30, 1998 meeting to allow opportunity for further study. The first question asks for
clarification of Article III of the Constitution:
How are the words "provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17) and heresy (Art.
III 1.) to be interpreted? A united defense against heresy, for example, would seem to refer to a defense
against permitting the introduction of heresy within the Synod. A united defense against schism would
also seem to refer to a defense against permitting schism within the Synod (it might refer to a defense
against the introduction of schism within the one holy Christian and apostolic Church). But what about
sectarianism? Is that a warning against other sects? Is it a statement that the Synod will work to prevent
itself from becoming a sect (instead of a part of the one holy Christian and apostolic Church)? Or is it a
statement of intent that the Synod pledges itself to provide a united defense against any and every spirit of
sectarianism both within and outside of the Synod? Or do these words mean something else altogether?
The Commission responds that the provisions of Article III, 1, are best understood in the context of the
preceding articles of the Constitution. The Preamble links the members of The Lutheran Church−Missouri
Synod to the Apostolic Church (Acts 15:1-31), also noting that it is the Lord's will that the diversities of
gifts be used "for the common profit" (I Cor. 12:4-30). Article I identifies the members of this Lutheran
church as a synod who walk together, which in the case of The Lutheran Church−Missouri Synod has
meant walking together in common faith and practice. Article II establishes that the faith and practice of the
members of Synod finds its normative basis in the common confession of faith founded on the Holy
Scriptures, "the only rule and norm of faith and practice" (Article II, 1), and the Symbolical Books of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church, "a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God"
(Article II, 2).
From these provisions Article III of the Constitution begins, "The Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions shall…", and follows with ten stated objectives of the Synod, the wording of the first of which
is the statement in question: "…and provide a united defense against schism, sectarianism (Romans 16:17),
and heresy." It should be noted that this first objective is mirrored by the second (Article III, 2), "Strengthen
congregations and their members in giving bold witness by word and deed to the love and work of God, the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness into all the world." It is incumbent upon those
who call themselves disciples to be loving witnesses of their faith in Christ to the world, both in sharing the
Gospel and in taking a stand against false confessions of faith, as is also clearly demonstrated in the
Lutheran Confessions where statements of belief and confession are followed by condemnations of
doctrines that are unscriptural.
As we therefore "walk together" as a Synod, we bind ourselves to the same understandings. We also bind
ourselves together "in giving bold witness by word and deed to the love and work of God" (Article III, 2)