# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1962_S125 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 124 RESOLUTIONS — COMMITTEE 6 4. A committee composed of representatives of the above three committees to serve in an advisory capacity to the officers, executives, boards, commissions, and com- mittees of the Synod in theological matters; 5. A committee on Finnish Relations as long as it is deemed necessary; 6. Such other committees as may be required. e. Functions and Duties. The commission shall: 1. Serve the members of the Synod as a clearinghouse for all matters relating to doctrinal unity in the Lutheran Church. It shall work closely with the President of the Synod; 2. Give guidance and advice in conducting institutes and seminars on theological matters of interest and con- cern in the Synod and provide opportunities for theo- logical study by pastors and teachers in service; 3. Consider and seek to adjust matters concerning which differences of opinion have arisen in the Synod and which have been referred to it by the President and Vice~- Presidents. The functions of this commission shall be strictly advisory in this capacity, along the line of brotherly effort in the interest of divine truth; 4. Assist the President of the Synod in representing the Synod in official contacts with other churches and synods in the interest of divine truth; 5. Assist the President in his official contacts with all sister churches of the Synod by aiding, counseling, and advising them and strengthening the relations with and between them. It may plan conferences and meetings and the exchange of personnel to implement the above; 6. Direct its activities toward preserving and strength- ening the doctrinal unity which our church body enjoys with others and promoting the cause of true doctrinal unity wherever possible; 7. Advise and prepare special studies in theological matters, both of an internal and external nature, on re- quest of the President of the Synod, the synodical officers, executives, boards, commissions, and committees; 8. Study Bible translations and revisions thoroughly and report its findings to the synodical constituency; 9. Keep the constituency of the Synod informed con- cerning its activities and report to the synodical con- vention. f. Budget. The commission shall annually submit a budget to the Board of Directors of the Synod for rec- ommendation and referral to the Fiscal Conference (or Fiscal Review Commission). g. Internal Policy. While admitting the right of free expression and of public appeal as an inherent right of its members, the Synod urges and requests its members to refrain from circularizing the Synod or areas thereof until this commission shall have been consulted and a reasonable time shall have been accorded to adjust the matter concerned. Action: This resolution was adopted. Commission (or Committee) on Constitutional Matters RESOLUTION 6-04 Report 601, pp. 227, 228, Reports and Memorials Wnereas, The Committee on Constitutional Matters has suggested rewriting section 2.113 in order to clarify some of its functions and duties; therefore be it Resolved, That the entire section 2.113 be changed to read as follows: a. A Commission (or Committee) on Constitutional Matters shall be appointed by the President in consulta- tion with the Vice-Presidents. This commission (or com- mittee) shall consist of five members: two pastors, two laymen, and the Secretary of the Synod. The President shall appoint one of the Vice-Presidents as an advisory member. b. All reports, overtures, and resolutions to the Synod asking for changes of or amendments to the Constitution of the Synod, or which in any manner affect the Constitu- tion or Bylaws shall be submitted to the Commission (or Committee) on Constitutional Matters in order that it may examine their content and language as to their agreement with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. c.. The commission (or committee) shall be represented at the meetings of the floor committee appointed to consider constitutional matters at the convention of the Synod. d. The commission (or committee) shall immediately after each convention of the Synod revise the synodical Handbook to bring it into harmony with the resolutions or changes adopted by the convention. e. The commission (or committee) shall interpret the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod in cases of controversy. Its opinions shall be binding unless and until the Synod overrules them. f. The commission (or committee) shall maintain a parallel edition of the Handbook reflecting the current regulations and those immediately preceding. g. The commission (or committee) shall examine the constitutions and bylaws of newly created Districts, or the revised, amended, or changed constitutions and by- laws of the Districts, to ascertain whether the provisions are in harmony with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. A District shall be asked to make such changes in its constitution and bylaws as may be deemed neces- sary. The commission shall keep and file copies of the constitutions and bylaws of all Districts of the Synod. Action: This resolution was adopted. President’s Exercise of Sound Judgment | in Appointing Floor Committees RESOLUTION 6-05 Unprinted Memorial 642, p.85, Today’s Business Wuereas, This memorial questions the propriety of certain appointments to the 1962 convention floor com- mittees; and Wuereas, Section 1.25 of the Bylaws does not qualify the authority of the synodical President in the ap- pointment of such floor committees; therefore be it Resolved, That Memorial 642 be declined. Action: This resolution was adopted. Right of President to Suspend RESOLUTION 6-06 Report 601, p. 228, Reports and Memorials Wuereas, The Bylaws in the synodical Handbook do not clearly specify that the District President (5.25) or the synodical President (5.87) has the right to suspend, pending a hearing by the Board of Appeals; therefore be it Resolved, That Section 5.25 be amended to read as follows: If the member involved does not plead guilty and the officials of the District who have acted in the case, includ- ing the District President, have exhausted all administra- tive efforts and are convinced that final action must be taken, the District President in consultation with the Vice-Presidents may temporarily suspend the member