# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1967_S124
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

124 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

b. To encourage such applying congregations to bring
their constitutions and practices into harmony with the
Holy Scriptures and the Confessions, so that their appli-
cations might receive favorable action.

and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod’s Commission on
Constitutional Matters include the substance of this Res-
olution in suitable language in the synodical Handbook.

Action: Adopted.

To Decline to Take Action on an Alleged
Action of the Commission on Constitutional
Matters
RESOLUTION 5-30

Overtures 5-59 U to 5-61 U (URO, pp. 51—52)

Wuereas, The sponsors of these overtures ask that
the convention overrule a statement which they re-
garded as an official opinion of the Synod’s Commission
on Constitutional Matters; and

Wuereas, The statement as quoted in the overtures
was not an official opinion of the commission; and

Wnereas, The official opinion is as follows:

AN OPINION OF THE COMMISSION
ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

The Commission on Constitutional Matters holds that
Article XIII, .1 of the Constitution and paragraph 1.05 of
the Bylaws of the Synod are binding on every member of
the Synod. Refusal to comply with these provisions as
well as active promotion of non-compliance constitute
divisive and unbrotherly conduct which destroys the
very concept of the Synod as “a walking together.”

Such conduct, if persisted in despite repeated admoni-
tion, is a breach not only of synodical fellowship but of
the unity which prevails between Christians and which
expresses itself in love.

If all efforts at admonition fail, a member persisting in
such conduct shall be subject to suspension and to
eventual expulsion.

THE CoMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
HERBERT MUELLER, Secretary
therefore be it

Resolved, That Overtures 5-59 U, 5-60 U, and 5-61 U
be declined.
Action: Adopted.

To Decline to Reorganize the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations
RESOLUTION 5-31

Overture 5-57 U (URO, p. 50)

Wuereas, This overture is concerned more with the
theological position of the men who serve on the Com-
mission on Theology and Church Relations than with its
organization; and

Wuereas, The Constitution of the Synod specifies:

Synod, and every member of Synod, accepts without
reservation:

1. The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament
as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm

of faith and practice; 7

2. All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lu-
theran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and

exposition of the Word of God... . (Constitution, Art. II,

Confession, Handbook, p. 15) , oo

therefore be it

Resolved, That all individuals or groups which have
the responsibility of appointing members to the Synod’s
Commission on Theology and Church Relations, as well
as those who nominate candidates for the elective mem-
berships on the commission, constantly bear in mind the
confessional paragraph of the Synod’s Constitution in
making appointments or nominations for the commis-
sion; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod decline to reorganize the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations.

Action: Adopted.

(The version given above was submitted by the floor

committee to replace the garbled version in Today's Busi-
ness.)

To Constitutionally Clarify and Strengthen

the President’s Authority
a RESOLUTION 5-32
Overtures 5-37, 5-38 (CW, p. 133)

Wuereas, The overtures request that the Synod clar-
ify and strengthen, constitutionally, the authority of the
President’s office in relation to all teaching personnel in
the Synod’s colleges and seminaries; and

Wuereas, The Synod at Detroit referred this question
together with proposed Handbook changes (Proceedings,
1965, Resolution 5-31, pp. 133—134) to the Board for
Higher Education “to be considered at its plenary ses-
sions with recommendations to be offered to the next
convention”; and

Wuereas, The Board for Higher Education is study-
ing this question but is not ready for a final report to the
New York convention (see 6-75 U, URO, pp. 55—56);
therefore be it

Resolved, That also Overtures 5-37 and 5-38 be re-
ferred to the Board for Higher Education; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That the Synod instruct the Board for
Higher Education to work in close consultation with the
President of the Synod and with the Synod’s Commis-
sion on Constitutional Matters in studying this matter;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education is
hereby asked to present a definite recommendation to
the next convention of the Synod.

Action: Adopted as given above.

To Refer to a Special Committee
All Overtures Concerning the Right
to Submit Overtures
RESOLUTION 5-33
Overtures 5-10 to 5-27 (CW, pp. 126—128), 5-53 U (URO,

p. 49)
Wuereas, The Constitution of the Synod, Article V,

“Handbook, p. 16, specifies that “membership in Synod is