# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_November 11 13 2011_S38
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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Chapter V, paragraph B 4 a: As noted in the review of the proposed overtures above, this
paragraph must be changed to allow for nominations of ordained ministers for vice-president
positions from the clergy roster of the entire Synod (Synod Bylaw 4.3.1).
Chapter V, paragraph E 4 f.: The flow of these paragraphs is unclear and the provisions may be
contradictory, warranting further consideration by the district.
Chapter V, paragraph F 2: While the provision of this sentence is ordinarily the case, it does not
take into consideration the possibility that a visitation circuit may not always be able to satisfy the
numerical requirements of an electoral circuit.

85. Other Matters Discussed by the Commission
During the course of the meeting, a number of other matters were surfaced and discussed by the
commission, briefly noted as follows:
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Responses from the Lutheran Church Extension Fund—Missouri Synod (LCEF) and LCMS
Foundation to the commission’s review of their Articles of Incorporation and/or Bylaws were
reviewed. It was noted that although there continues to be concern with the commission’s
expectation that Synod Bylaws 1.5.7–1.5.7.2 be referenced in the agencies’ bylaws, the LCEF
and the Foundation have given assurance that they will conform to these bylaw expectations until
their concerns can further be addressed by a convention of the Synod. The commission expressed
appreciation for the agencies’ cooperation.
The commission received a report on the progress of a historical study of Constitution Art. VI in
light of the requests it has received for related opinions (09-2544; 11-2598) and discussed
extending an invitation to the executive director of the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations for a consultation on this subject and related matters when the commission next meets
February 10–12, 2012.
The commission received a brief report regarding editorial corrections that have been made to the
electronic version of the 2010 Handbook that is posted on the Synod’s Website.
The commission received a brief report from its representative on the Commission on Handbook
regarding the subject matters that he will be taking to that commission for its attention during its
December 16 – 17, 2011 meeting, to include the following:
o Bylaw 3.1.2—electoral circuits formed by district boards of directors versus district
conventions
o Regional district vice-presidents ratified by district conventions (cf. circuit counselor
process)
o Regional district board of directors members ratified by district conventions (cf. circuit
counselor process)
o Clarification of Bylaw 2.4.1 re congregations’ use of constitution and bylaw changes
prior to approval by district boards of directors
o Circuit counselor nominations/elections process as provided in Bylaws 4.3.1, 5.2.2 (c),
and 5.2.3.2 (a)
o Clarification of Bylaws 5.3.2 and 5.2.2 (c) in light of Bylaw 3.1.2.1 and CCM Opinion
06-2483 regarding lay representation at circuit forums
o Clarification of Bylaws 5.3.3 and 3.1.2 regarding meetings of circuit forums/electoral
circuits
o Clarification or expansion of Bylaws 3.12.2.5 (c) and 3.12.3.6 (c), e.g., mention of
criminal background checks to satisfy LCEF requirements
o Review of Bylaw section 4.6 “District Committees or Boards for Stewardship” and its
relationship to new Synod structure
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