# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_January 20 21 2003_S14 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) § Bylaw II C 3 [p. 6]: Would this be better numbered Section D since II C covers convention matters while this section deals with a new committee? A change would of course affect the remaining lettering of this article of the Bylaws. § Bylaw II C 3 a [p. 6]: Current placement of the word “shall” suggests that all of the listed duties have been provided for by the Bylaws of the Synod, which is not the case. The Synod’s Bylaws speak only of the review of constitutions and bylaws of congregations (Synod Bylaw 2.03). Repositioning the word “shall” after the appositional phrase would rightly state that this committee is provided for in the Bylaws of the Synod: “This Committee, as provided for in the Bylaws of the Synod, shall advise….” § Bylaw II C 3 a [p. 6]: Would better read, “…regarding conformity with the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws” rather than “regulations.” This would better conform with Synod Bylaw 1.05 d. The Synod operates with numerous additional “regulations” (policies) that are not binding on congregations. § Bylaw III A 2 a [p. 10]: Should read: “shall serve no more than four (4) consecutive three (3) year terms.” § Bylaw III A 2 [p. 10]: Does not include reference to the Treasurer, unless this office is intended to be included under paragraph b: “lay members of Board of Directors.” § Bylaw III A 4 [p. 11]: It may be helpful to use the same terminology used by the Synod in Synod Bylaw 4.91, “Functions.” § Bylaw III A 4 b [p. 11]: Is it the responsibility of the Board of Directors to “evaluate” the plans and policies that have been directed by the District convention or to administer and carry out such decisions by the convention? Reference to Synod Bylaw 4.91 may also be helpful when referring to the functions of the Board. § Bylaw II A 4 g [p. 11]: See Synod Constitution, Art. XII, 9 d, where the President of the District is given the responsibility to sign all official papers and documents. § Bylaw III A 4 n [p. 12]: The appointment of four reconcilers for the District is an important and specific requirement of the Bylaws of the Synod (Synod Bylaw 8.13). In the flow of this bylaw, mention might be included with the other appointive responsibilities of the Board [p. 11]. § Bylaw III B 2 b [p. 13]: The District’s Constitution Committee is responsible to the District Board of Directors (Synod Bylaw 2.03 b). The District Board is then responsible for reporting its actions regarding congregational constitutions and bylaws to the District convention. § Bylaw III F 3 a (2) and b (2) [p. 18]: Use of term “clergymen” is inconsistent with the otherwise consistent use of “ordained minister.” § Bylaw III F 3 b and c [p. 18]: Again, as mentioned above under Bylaw III C 1 f (2), is there a conflict here with that bylaw’s 2% requirement? § Bylaw III F 3 e [p. 19]: The Commission suggests that the provision of a list of eligible commissioned ministers would be consistent and helpful also. 92