# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_September 14 15 2007_S1
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel, St. Louis
September 14–15, 2007
1. Call to Order, Opening Prayer, and Agenda
Chairman Albert Marcis called the meeting to order and welcomed Phil Esala as the newest member of
the commission. Also present were newly reappointed members Daniel Lorenz and Wilbert Sohns,
returning member Gordon Tresch, outgoing member Donald Little, and Secretary of the Synod Raymond
Hartwig, who provided the devotions for the meeting.
Chairman Marcis called attention to the agenda for the meeting, to which were added additional items: (1)
The appointment of the commission chairman for the triennium; (2) the appointment of a commission
member to serve as an advisory member on the Commission on Structure for the triennium; and (3) a
request from the executive director of the Board for District and Congregational Services for a review of
his board’s policy manual in light of changes made during the past triennium.
2. Election of Chairman and Appointment of Member of Commission on Structure
Opportunity was provided for nominations for the position of chairman of the commission. A motion was
made and seconded to name Albert Marcis chairman for the 2007–2010 triennium. The motion was
carried with a unanimous vote.
Chairman Marcis introduced the matter of the appointment of a member of the commission to serve as a
non-voting member of the Commission on Structure for the triennium. Wilbert Sohns, who served for the
2004–2007 triennium, requested that he not be asked to serve. A motion was made and seconded to
appoint the chairman of the commission to serve. The motion was carried with a unanimous vote.
3. Meeting with the Board of Directors
When the commission last met with the Board of Directors earlier in the year, it was agreed that another
such meeting should be planned later in the year, possibly in conjunction with the board’s November
meeting. Discussion followed regarding the arrangements for the meeting and issues to be discussed. It
was agreed that Chairman Marcis would discuss meeting details with the Synod’s Chief Administrative
Officer and the chairman of the Board of Directors. Input will also be requested from others, including the
President of the Synod.
4. Review of 2007 Handbook (07-2507)
After a review of 2007 convention changes to be incorporated into the Handbook of the Synod and a
page-by-page examination of a proposed draft of the 2007 Handbook prepared by the Secretary of the
Synod, a motion was introduced and carried "to approve the 2007 Handbook for publication."
During the course of the review, the Secretary was instructed to prepare a memorandum to the
Commission on Structure (with other parties copied as appropriate) calling attention to the need to
incorporate into the Handbook the duty of the Board for Pastoral Education to supervise the activity of the
Specific Ministry Pastor Committee as provided by 2007 Resolution 5-01B. The Commission on
Structure’s attention will also be called to the possible need for further clarification of Handbook