# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S236
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

236 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

Wuereas, The Synod in 1965 deprived laymen of this
right, thus treating pastors as a more privileged class
in this particular matter; and

Wuereas, It would seem that such action is unfair
to such laymen as are keenly interested in the affairs
and in the welfare of the Synod: and

Wuereas, It would appear that the action taken by
the Synod in 1965 is definitely unwise, still permitting
lay people to support the Synod financially while deny-
ing them the right to initiate action at conventions by
overtures originated by laymen: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod rescind its action regard-
ing this particular subject and declare that with respect
to it pastors and laymen shall be treated alike, both
having the right hereafter to submit overtures for con-
sideration and action by conventions of the Synod.

MEssIAH LUTHERAN CHURCH
Detroit, Mich.

HarLeY GREENBURG, Chairman
Patt A. Roserts, Secretary

(5-22)

The same overture was presented over the names
of the following Michigan pastors: W. J. Geffert. A. H. A.
Loeber, N. E. Borchardt, Wilton Fluegge. Henry Moehr-
ing, Frank Pies, J. M. Rauf, Paul Gold, C. Trosien.

(5-23)
To Change Method of Appointing
Convention Committees and
Processing Overtures

Whereas, It is wise for an ecclesiastical body which
desires to operate along Scriptural and democratic
lines to make sure from time to time that not too much
power is concentrated in the hands of one person or
of a small group of persons: and

Whereas, Present regulations authorize and direct
one person, the President of the Synod, to appoint the
chairman and all the members of floor committees at
synodical conventions; and

Wuereas, The same official alone is given the power
to determine which overtures shall be given publicity
by inclusion in the Convention Workbook and which
overtures shall not be included; and

Wuereas, Such concentration of powers places dan-
gerously much authority into the hands of one official,
a situation which could easily result in an unfair ad-
vantage to one side of a question and to the detriment
of the opposing side: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod make necessary changes
in the present provisions in its Constitution regarding
these two matters, these changes to provide for a com-
mittee of seven or nine members to appoint all floor
committees, as well as for a second committee of seven
or nine to pass on all overtures whether they are to be
included in or excluded from the Convention Work-
book; and be it further

Resolved, That these two committees be elected in
the convention prior to the convention at and for which
they are to serve. Messi1aH LUTHERAN CHURCH
Detroit, Mich.

HarLeY GREENBURG, Chairman
Pau. A. Roserts, Secretary

(5-24)

An identical overture was received from the follow-
ing pastors in Michigan: Paul Gold, Carl Trosien,
A. H. A. Loeber, Jacob Rauf, Henry Moehring, Walter
Geffert, N. Borchardt.

(5-25)
To Require Majority Vote in All Elections

Wuereas, The Constitution of the Synod says: “All
matters of doctrine and of conscience shall be decided
only by the Word of God. All other matters shall be
decided by a majority vote” (Constitution, Article VITI,
C): and

WHEREAS, The Synod has stipulated in Bylaws 2.125
and 3.33 that a majority of all votes cast shall be re-
quired to elect the President, the Vice-Presidents, the
Secretary, the Treasurer, the elective members of the
Board of Directors, and the Circuit Counselors; and

Wuereas, It has permitted other positions to be filled
simply by plurality vote, presumably in order to avoid
time-consuming balloting to establish majorities when
larger slates of candidates are proposed: and

Whereas, There is grave doubt concerning the con-
stitutionality of such a plurality arrangement; and

Wuereas, The New York convention ably demon-
strated that data-processing equipment makes possible
the expeditious handling of multiple elections and run-
off balloting; and

WHEREAS, It would seem proper, since it is now pos-
sible, to permit the majority principle truly to prevail
in all matters not decided by God’s Word; therefore
be it

Resolved, That Bylaws 2.125 and 3.33 be amended
to read as follows, effective forthwith and governing the
elections at the 1969 convention:

PRESENT WORDING

2.125 Majority and Plurality of Votes

A majority of all votes cast shall be required to elect the
President, the Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer,
and the elective members of the Board of Directors. For
all other elections a plurality shall be sufficient.

3.33 Majority of Votes

A majority of all votes cast shall be required to elect the
President, the Vice-Presidents, the Secretary, the Treasurer,
the Circuit Counselors, and the elective members of the
Board of Directors of the Districts.

PROPOSED WORDING

2.125 (and 3.33) Majority Vote

a. A majority of all votes cast shall be required for
election to all elective offices and elective board positions.

b. Except in the election of the President and the Vice-