LCMS Ecclesiastical Supervisors Give Immunity From Expulsion

By: Rev. Jack Cascione
In January of 2003 the Synod's Commission On Constitutional Matters (CCM) amended LCMS Constitution Article XIII by granting immunity from expulsion to all pastors who follow actions approved by their ecclesiastical supervisors

Anyone can read that the new CCM ruling is an addition to Articles XIII, II, and VI of the LCMS Constitution.  The new ruling amends the LCMS Constitution by saying that a member of Synod cannot be EXPELLED from Synod if his actions have the approval of his ecclesiastical supervisor. The ecclesiastical supervisor now has been given authority Articles II and VI.

"Article XIII Expulsion from the Synod [states]: 1. Members who act contrary to the confession laid down in Article II of the conditions of membership laid down in Article VI or persist in an offensive conduct shall, after previous futile admonition, be EXPELLED from the Synod."

The new ruling from the CCM reads:

114. Consequences of Action Taken Upon Approval of Ecclesiastical Supervisor
(02-2296; 02-2320) "The Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod do not allow or contemplate the EXPULSION of a member of the Synod on the basis of an action taken with the full knowledge and approval of the appropriate ecclesiastical supervisor. For a thorough treatment of this issue, see Opinion 02-2309."

The CCM doesn't give any quotation from Article II or VI, including the Bible and the Lutheran Confessions, to support the authority of the "ecclesiastical supervisor."

Those defending the CCM cite the Fourth Commandment, placing the "ecclesiastical supervisor" in a paternal relationship over other clergy and congregations as is found in the Catholic Church.  Catholic Priests are called "Father."

The Bible says we should obey God rather than men but now the CCM has ruled that approval from the ecclesiastical supervisor gives automatically immunity from expulsion.

But what if the ecclesiastical supervisor makes a mistake?

The CCM also explains that if the "ecclesiastical supervisor" makes a mistake he has the authority to correct himself!

115. Ecclesiastical Supervision and Conflict of Interest (02-2309) "It would be inconsistent with the above constitutional provisions to place the membership of an individual or congregation at risk where that member relies on the ecclesiastical supervision and counsel of the person called and chosen for that role or function. If an act is in fact contrary to Article XIII of the Constitution, THE MEMBER WHO ACTED CANNOT BE CHARGED since he or she acted according to the advice of his or her ecclesiastical supervisor.  It should be noted, however, that WHEN AN ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISOR DISCOVERS ERROR IN HIS COUNSEL, IT IS INCUMBENT UPON THAT SUPERVISOR TO CORRECT OR AMEND IT.  The member should then be held to consider the corrected counsel. Failure to consider such amended admonition could form the basis for disciplinary action as provided in Article XIII."

This is ludicrous. The CCM has invented self-correcting ecclesiastical superiors. Why hasn't the Catholic Church invented self-correcting Popes? Many in the LCMS who feel a deep need for ecclesiastical supervisors will now take comfort that if perchance the ecclesiastical supervisor discovers he made a mistake, he will correct it.

Paul had to correct Peter in Galatians 2, but LCMS supervisors are better than that and will correct themselves.  With such brilliant reasoning we wonder why the 11 Apostles, 13 Colonies, Luther, and Walther didn't listen to the Sanhedrin, King George, the Pope, and Martin Stephan or wait for them to correct themselves?

Evidently many clergy in the LCMS believe that ecclesiastical supervisors are able to judge themselves as whether or not they are following God's Word?  What unique spiritual gift! This is exactly what Martin Stephan claimed for himself.

Is the CCM appealing to the sacrament of ordination or Father John Richard Neuhaus's need to be under authority?

Good order in the Synod is not supposed to come from ecclesiastical supervisors. It is supposed to come from congregational voters' assemblies and conventions who have the God given right to judge doctrine.
 If this ruling is not overturned by 2004 LCMS Convention CCM fired the LCMS must assume structure similar to the Roman Catholic Church.

March 27 , 2003