# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_January 31 February 1 2006_S9
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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In the interest of uniformity with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod, the district is
encouraged to observe the same principles for capitalization and spelling that are used by the
Synod in its Handbook.

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On page 7, the reference under section E should be to Art. XIII of the LCMS Constitution and
Bylaw sections 2.14-2.17 of the LCMS Bylaws.

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On page 10, a more accurate title to section F might be “TERMS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF
OFFICE,” better to reflect the content of the paragraphs that follow.

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On page 10, section F, paragraph 2, it would be helpful to clarify by adding the words “of the
Ohio District” at the end of the paragraph.

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On page 12, section K, paragraph 2, the addition of the word “Officer” after “Financial” would
complete the title.

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On page 15, section B, paragraph 6, it would be helpful to call attention to the requirement of the
Synod that all elections require a majority vote.

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On page 17, section C, paragraph 2 j, the sentence should read “nominations from the floor.”

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On page 18, section C, paragraph 4 provides for an action, the election of delegates to
conventions of the Synod, that is not the responsibility of a district convention. At the same time,
no election process is provided for the election of the district’s representative on the Synod’s
Committee for Convention Nominations as required by LCMS Bylaw 3.12.3.2 (p. 183 of 2004
LCMS Handbook).

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On page 19 under Article IX, paragraph E should also recognize the need for the financial books
of the district to be open to the Synod.

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On page 20 under Article X, the list of board of directors members does not include the treasurer
of the district. The Commission calls attention to LCMS Constitution Art. XII, paragraph 6,
paragraph 3 e, and paragraph B 11, all of which speak favorably of the treasurer of a district being
a member of the district’s board of directors.

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On page 23 under Article XI A 2, mention is made of an “executive staff member.” In paragraph
3 on page 24, mention is made of a “member of the professional staff.” Under section B on page
24, mention of made of “executive staff persons.” The Commission asks whether these terms
represent different categories or if the terminology could be made more consistent.

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On page 51 under Article XIII, the second paragraph speaks of each congregation being
represented at the Circuit Forum “at least” by its pastor and one voting member. This contradicts
Bylaw 5.3.2 of the LCMS Handbook which limits representation to “a pastor of each
congregation and one member of each congregation designated by the congregation.”

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On page 51 under Article XIII, the Commission suggests referencing LCMS Bylaw section 5.3 in
the paragraph addressing circuit forums and LCMS Bylaw section 5.4 in the paragraph addressing
circuit convocations.

124. Review of Minnesota South District Bylaws (05-2453)
In a January 20, 2006 letter, the president of the Minnesota South District submitted the Articles of
Incorporation and Bylaws of his district for review by the Commission in light of a recent revision made
by the district’s handbook committee. Upon review, the Commission offers the following response.

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