# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S496
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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524 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

assembled in convention or otherwise with the a

. pproval
President of Synod, the Board of Directors, and the Colle the
Presidents.” “8

We suggest that in paragraph 8.89 the word “shall” in the ,

second line be changed to read “may.”

THe Boarp oF Foreign Missions
Herman H. Kopretmann
Assistant Executive Secretary

ACTION
Committee 6 recommended and Synod adopted the following

resolution:
Resolution 17

Wnuereas, Your Board for Foreign Missions suggests several]
changes in the Handbook in order to simplify or clarify the pro-
cedures outlined in Sections 8.77, 8.79 a, 8.83, and 8.89; therefore
be it

Resolved,

A. That we recommend the change in Section 8.77 to read:
“It shall appoint from its own membership such committees as it
may deem necessary”;

B. That we recommend the change in Section 8.79 a to read:
“The Board for Missions in Foreign Countries shall conduct the
missions which may be undertaken among non-Christian peoples”;

C. That we recommend the change in Section 8.83 to read:
“The Board for Missions in Foreign Countries shall begin work
in new foreign countries upon resolution of Synod assembled in
convention or may do so with the approval of the President of
Synod, the Board of Directors, and the College of Presidents”;

D. That Section 8.89 be made to read: “The Board for Missions
in Foreign Countries, together with the President of Synod, may
call or appoint resident superintendents of missions in all non-
Christian countries. The Board shall define the duties of these

resident superintendents.”

Amend By-Laws 2.15 and 3.31
(Memorial 506)

Wuereas, The limitations of By-Laws 2.15 and 3.31 (Holding
More than One Office) often deprive Districts of the services of
specially qualified persons who might otherwise serve as District
officers or as members of District boards or committees without
interference or conflict in their several duties; be it therefore

Resolved, That the Board of Directors of the Southeastern

e of =

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 525

ct. of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod request Synod
nd these By-Laws, so that hereafter they may read as
s;. “No one, either in Synod or in a District, or between
wi and a District, shall hold any office the duties, preroga-
=. or administration of which may conflict or interfere with
ther office. The President of Synod shall decide doubtful cases.”

Boarp oF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN DistTRICT
or ‘Tue LUTHERAN CHURCH — Missourr SyNop
Hersert F. KuENNE

ACTION

* pon recommendation of Committee 6, Synod rejected this
““emorial by adopting the following resolution:

Resolution 18
*  Wuereas, There seems to be no appreciable justification under
sresent circumstances for the broadening of limitations of By-Laws
2.15 and 3.31, however desirable it might appear in given instances;
be it therefore
Resolved, That this memorial be rejected.

Rights of Self-Ruling Congregations
(Memorial 511)

Can a self-ruling congregation have Bible fellowship in the
Missouri Synod without being subject to Synod, its officials, and its
rules and resolutions?

When in July of 1948 St. John’s Congregation of Okabena,
Minn., canceled its voting membership in Synod, its pastor assured
the congregation that it could have Bible fellowship in Synod and
at the same time retain self-rule, independent of synodical control.

Bible fellowship in this case should mean —

that the congregation co-operates in the support of synodical
missions and education, and the like, just as member congrega-
tions do;

that it practices mutual supervision with the others in Synod
according to Scripture alone, receiving and giving encourage-
ment and admonition, exercising doctrinal discipline without
breaking down any congregation’s self-rule or any pastor’s
ministry in his congregation;

that it receives synodical officials for routine and special meet-

ings only upon invitation or consent from the congregation.

and its pastor;
that in case of dispute or doctrinal controversy it can require