# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1995_S155
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION 155

schools, stewardship, worship, and youth ministries; and
be it further

Resolved, That following such study, as the congrega-
tions, Circuits, and Districts shall consider appropriate dur-
ing the next triennium: ,

1. Each District report the findings of such study and
recommendations to ‘its own District convention, and any
District wishing to change its structure be encouraged to
adopt such changes as may be appropriate for itself
through amendments to its own bylaws, if required, and
any such District report such changes to the Mission and
Ministry Council for publication in a follow-up report to the
1998 synodical convention; and

2. Any District wishing to alter its geographical bound-
aries submit a request to the Mission and Ministry Council
for review and development of an appropriate resolution to
be recommended to the national Board of Directors and the
1998 synodical convention for action;
and be it further

_ Resolved, That the Mission and Ministry Council review
the reports on changes in District structures and network-
ing efforts developed by the Districts and national staff dur-
ing the next triennium and, if appropriate, report its find-
ings to the 1998 synodical convention in order to permit the
entire Synod to benefit from the sharing of ideas for better
serving congregations; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Task Force be dismissed with thanks
for its service.

Action: No action.

(The resolution, though not officially referred is being called
to the attention of the Council on Mission and Ministry.)

To Elect Members of the Commission
on Constitutional Matters

RESOLUTION 7-14
Overtures 7-20-23 (CW, p. 233)

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Commission on Constitutional
Matters renders opinions and interpretations on matters
and questions concerning the Constitution and Bylaws of
our church; and

WHEREAS, Such interpretations are rendered upon the
written request of a member of a board, commission, or
agency of our Synod and have force until a convention has
an opportunity to overrule them; and .

’ WHEREAS, There have been many requests over the
years to make this commission elective rather than ap-
pointive; therefore be it

‘Resolved, That beginning in 1998 the Commission on
Constitutional Matters be hereafter elected in convention;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Board of Directors make recommen-
dations of appropriate changes to the Bylaws for adoption
by the 1998 convention.

Action: No action.

’ (Overtures 7-20-23 were included i in Resolution 7-20A, re-
epectfully declined.)

To Make the Secretary of the Synod
a Nonvoting Member of the Commission
on Constitutional Matters

RESOLUTION 7-15A
Overtures 7-22-23 (CW, p. 233)

WHEREAS, The Synod’s Commission on Constitutional
Matters renders opinions and interpretations on matters
and questions concerning the Constitution and the Bylaws
of our church; and

WHEREAS, Such interpretations are rendered upon the
written request of a member (congregation, ordained or
commissioned minister), official, board, commission, or en-
tity of our Synod and have force until a convention has- ‘an
opportunity to overrule them; and

WHEREAS, To avoid the possibility of the conflict of in-
terest involving the Secretary of the Synod, he should be a
nonvoting member of the commission; therefore be it

Resolved, That beginning in 1995 the Commission on
Constitutional Matters consist of five voting members
(three ordained ministers and two lawyers); and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That effective with this convention the Secre-
tary of the Synod become a nonvoting member of the com-
mission; and be it finally

Resolved, That Bylaws 3.141 and 3.903 be amended to
read:

PRESENT /PROPOSED WORDING

3.141 Duties

k. serve as a nonvoting member and secretary of the
Commission on Constitutional Matters;

3.903 Membership

‘a. The Commission on Constitutional Matters shall
consist of five voting members,
(whose terms shall be for six years, renew-
able once). Fwe Three of the appointed members shall
be ordained ministers and two shall be lawyers.

b. The Secretary of the e Synod shall serve as the-ffth
a nonvoting
member of the commission and its secretary.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Publish Opinions Rendered
by the CCM

RESOLUTION 7-16A
Overture 7-23 (CW, p. 233)

WHEREAS, It is important for the Synod to be informed
of significant rulings and opinions of the Commission on
Constitutional Matters; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Synod shall publish
in an official periodical at least the title of and one or two
summarizing sentences for all opinions rendered by the
CCM, as well as an invitation to request from the Secre-
tary’s office a copy of any full CCM opinion so summarized.
Publication of such notice shall be within ninety (90) days
of rendering of any opinion of the CCM; and be it further