# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1977_S161
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

p, “sister” for “partner” in 4.33, and “provide files for” for

’ in” in Bylaw 2.81 e. An amendment added “or
a” to 4.33 g. A proposed amendment to strike the
references to dual membership in 1.01 and 4.33 was defeated,
as well as a motion to substitute in 4.31 “shall record the
~ action taken by the District President” for “shall then
determine what action shall be taken.” A motion to recommit
5. 5-0DA for the purpose of restoring prevailing policy failed.
Nevertheless, after the automatic call of the question had
succeeded, the resolution failed to carry.)

To Devise Better Method of Signing
the Synod’s Constitution

. RESOLUTION 5-06
Report 5-01, IV, E (CW, pp. 171-172)

WHEREAS, It is desirable to have a better method of
signing the Constitution of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the following Bylaw changes be
made:

"PRESENT WORDING

1.03 Signing Constitution

All members of the Synod shall sign the Constitu-
tion of the Synod in open session at the first
convention of the District which they attend. The
duly elected lay delegate of a newly received
congregation shall sign the Constitution as the
representative of his congregation. The District
Secretary shall obtain the signatures to the Constitu-
tion in a book provided for this purpose. The District
Secretary shall note opposite a member’s signature
the year in which the member is received or
relinquishes membership or is transferred to another
District of the Synod. The District President shall
keep the Secretary of his District informed of
transfers into and out of the District so that entries
can be made in the records of his District.

PROPOSED WORDING

1.03 Signing Constitution

a. All pastor and teacher applicants shall file a
signed statement as follows: “I have read the
Constitution of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, and I hereby affix my signature to it, dated
______, signed ______ .” This statement shall be
filed with the Secretary of the District prior to the
convention in which the individual wishes to be
received.

b. The duly elected lay delegates of newly
received congregations shall sign the Constitution as
the representatives of their congregations in open
session at the District convention which they attend.

c. The District Secretary shall obtain the
signatures to the Constitution and shall note the
year in which the member is received or relinquishes
membership or is transferred to another District of
the Synod. The District President shall keep the
Secretary of his District informed of transfers into
and out of the District so that entries can be made in
the records of his District.

Action: Adopted (3).

To Change Bylaw 2.107 a
Regarding Commission on.
Constitutional Matters Membership
RESOLUTION 5-07

Overtures 5-92, 5-109A—C, 5-110 (CW, pp. 197,
204)

RESOLUTIONS 161

WHEREAS, Four of the members of the Commission
on Constitutional Matters are appointed for 4-year
terms by the President in consultation with the Vice-
Presidents of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Under this system there is concern on one
hand that the CCM is unduly influenced by the
synodical administration, and on the other hand that
in seeking to avoid such undue influence or any
appearance thereof, the administration is often con-
strained to avoid presenting its own position to the
CCM as forcefully as it otherwise might; and

WHEREAS, By reducing the number of members of
the CCM who are subject to appointment by a single
synodical administration, these concerns can effective
ly be minimized; and

WHEREAS, To elect these four members of the CCM
would inject to a disproportionate and harmful degree
elements of politics, personalities, and popularity; and

WHEREAS, It is nonetheless necessary to preserve
the integrity of the CCM and its decisions, so that it is
insulated as much as possible from any actual or
apparent undue influence; therefore be it

Resolved, That Bylaw 2.107 a be amended to
read:

PRESENT WORDING

2.107 Commission on Constitutional Matters

a. The Commission on Constitutional Matters
shall be appointed by the President in consultation
with the Vice-Presidents. The commission 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.

PROPOSED WORDING

2.107 Commission on Constitutional Matters

a. The Commission on Constitutional Matters
shall be appointed by the President in consultation
with the Vice-Presidents. The commission 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. The term of office of the appointed
voting members of the commission shall be 8 years.
Except when it is necessary to fill a vacancy for the
remainder of an unexpired term, only one voting
member may be appointed in any 2-year period.

(Paragraphs 6 to g remain unchanged)

and be it further

Resolved, That the following schedule of ap-
pointments be used until the above Bylaw change is
fully effected: 1977—one 4-year and one 6-year term
appointment; 1979—one 6-year and one 8-year term
appointment.

Action: Adopted (3).

(The delegates declined a motion to refer this matter to the
Task Force on Constitution, Bylaws, and Structure.)