# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_May 11 13 2012_S8
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

128. Iowa District East Bylaws Review (11-2621 [A])
Upon receipt of the Iowa District East Bylaws following the commission’s earlier review, final attention
was given to the documents and the following additional comments were offered by the commission (new
wording underscored):
•
•
•
•

•
•

•
•

Bylaws 4.3 and 4.4: The commission notes the use of the word “pastors” in both bylaws and
assumes that “parish pastors” is intended, as in Bylaw 4.2. If such is not intended, these
references will need to be changed to “ordained ministers.”
Bylaw 4.4: The word “verification” in the final line will need to be changed “approval,” as in
Synod Bylaws 2.2.1 and 2.4.1.
Bylaw 4.8.2: The new wording at the beginning of the bylaw will better read: “Unless otherwise
specified in these Bylaws or the Bylaws of the Synod,….”
Bylaw 5.1.1: Given the fact that this bylaw’s listing of duties differs from that provided in the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod, the introductory phrase to this bylaw should read:
“Examples of the manner in which the district president may fulfill his ecclesiastical role in the
district include but are not limited to the following:….”
Bylaw 5.1.2: Here again, for the reason given above under 5.1.1, the introductory phrase to this
bylaw will need to read: “Examples of the manner in which the district president may serve as the
chief executive of the district include but are not limited to the following:….”
Bylaw 6.1: The final sentences of the initial paragraph will better read as follows, using the
wording provided by Synod Bylaw 4.5.1: “The board shall have such powers and duties as are
accorded to it by the Constitution, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, resolutions, and policies of
the Synod, as well as those of the district. With this authority and responsibility….”
Bylaw 6.1, deleted paragraph j: District Bylaw 14.1 indicates the continued existence of district
policy. The commission therefore repeats its request for a copy of district policies for its review
(Synod Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3).
Bylaw 13.3: This bylaw requires clarification with the addition of the word “lay” prior to
“member.” The fact that this is to be a lay member has been determined by the commission in its
Opinion 11-2617.

With these changes, the commission gives its approval to the Bylaws of Iowa District East, thanks the
district for its cooperation, and requests that a clean copy with all changes in place be provided to the
Office of the Secretary of the Synod after action by the district convention.
129. Central Illinois District Bylaws Review (11-2623 [A])
Upon receipt of the latest version of the Central Illinois District Bylaws following the commission’s
earlier review, final attention was given to the documents and the following additional comments were
offered by the commission (new wording underscored):
•
•

Constitution, paragraph 1: This statement should accurately mirror Synod Bylaw 1.3.2 and
should read: “The Central Illinois District is a component part and division of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod….”
Bylaw 2.02 (Explanation of Terms): The commission cannot agree with redefining terms in a
manner that is contrary to the usage of the Synod in its Bylaws (which are also primarily the
bylaws of the district—Synod Bylaw 4.1.1.2). According to the Bylaws of the Synod, (1) “parish
pastor” and “pastor” are synonymous, referring to called pastors of member congregations of the
Synod. “Ordained minister” or “minister of religion–ordained” are the terms to use when
speaking of all categories on the clergy roster of the Synod. Similarly, (2) “teacher” and “parish
273