To Clarify and Simplify Bylaws regarding Routes to Altar and Pulpit Fellowship

Preamble The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) has reviewed Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 and proposed consolidation and clarification of the language dealing with its role in recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship. Presently routes to fellowship are presented in four cases (b–e), which are stated in terms of certain presumptions (e.g., that all fellowship requests originate from potential partners and not in the other direction), redundancies (e.g., in each of [b–e], there exists a relatively uniform statement that the convention must approve; [e] seems, furthermore, to be redundant with [b–d]), and potential unc lari ties. CTCR submitted its proposal to the Commission on Handbook, which consulted with the Commission on Constitutional Matters (Op. 22-3001, Minutes of Nov. 4–5, 2022) and now presents the proposal for adoption. It understands the change to benon-substantive, in that it should allow the same scope of actions under new bylaw language, but substantial enough a change of language regarding a critical function of the Synod that it should be presented for the convention’s consideration and for its more prominent historical record. By way of explanation, existing paragraphs (b–d) are subsumed under a new summary heading as (b)(1–3) and (e) is deleted; situations formerly falling under (e) will be handled under the new (b)(1–3) as appropriate. Therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 be amended as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING Commission on Theology and Church Relations …

3.9.5.2.2 The Commission on Theology and Church Relations shall assist the President of the Synod at his request in discharging his constitutional responsibilities for maintaining doctrinal integrity as he relates to other church bodies.

(a) It shall address itself to and evaluate existing fellowship relations for the purpose of mutual admonition and encouragement.

(b) It shall address itself to potential fellowship and/or partner church relations as follows: (b1) When a church body applies for formal Formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with between the Synod and another church body, such recognition shall be proposed at a convention of the Synod only after the approval of the commission. (c2) When a Formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship between the Synod and a small, formative, emerging confessional Lutheran church body (identified as such by the President of the Synod as chief ecumenical officer) requests recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with the Synod may be declared by the Synod President only after the approval of the commission and , after consultation with the Praesidium and approval by the commission, such. Such recognition may be declared by the President of the Synod shall be subject to the endorsement of the subsequent Synod convention. (d3) When a Formal recognition of a mission of the Synod applies for formal recognition as a self-governing partner church, such recognition shall be proposed at convention of the Synod by the Board for International Mission with after the approval of the commission.

(e) When an entity (e.g., a district, mission, group of congregations, etc.) of a self-governing partner church is established as an independent church body in altar and pulpit fellowship with that partner church body, and subsequently requests recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship with Synod, such recognition may be declared by the President of Synod, after consultation with the Praesidium and approval by the commission, subject to the endorsement of the subsequent Synod convention.