# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_February 23 2013_S23
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

The request for an opinion must be made within four (4) weeks of the final formation of
the Dispute Resolution Panel or Review Panel. If a party does not request such an opinion
within the designated time, such a request may still be made to the Dispute Resolution
Panel or Review Panel that shall, at its discretion, determine whether the request shall be
forwarded. The Dispute Resolution Panel or Review Panel shall also have the right, at any
time, to request an opinion from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations or
the Commission on Constitutional Matters.
The Commission on Constitutional Matters and the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations shall have in place a procedure for responding within this 30-day time frame to
such requests for opinions. Any opinion so requested shall be rendered within 30 days or
such greater time as the Dispute Resolution Panel may allow. When an opinion has been
requested, the time limitations governing the dispute resolution process will not apply
until the opinion has been received by the parties. Any opinion received from the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the Commission on Constitutional
Matters must be followed by the Dispute Resolution Panel or Review Panel.
Commission on Handbook

81. Overture to the 2013 LCMS Convention (Bylaws Pertaining to Districts) – Omnibus III
Overture to the 2013 LCMS Convention
To Address Handbook Issues re Bylaws Pertaining to Districts
Background
During the triennium, concerns related to bylaws governing district operations were brought to the
attention of the Commission on Handbook. This overture identifies those concerns and advocates bylaw
amendment solutions proposed by the commission for adoption by the 2013 convention of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod.
(A) Circuit Counselor Nominations and Elections
(Bylaw 5.2.3.2)
Rationale
The chairman of the Commission on Handbook requested input from the Council of President
regarding the current circuit counselor nominations and elections process and reported that the Council
apparently is happy with the current bylaw process, including its provision of an opportunity to select
circuit counselors from outside the circuit. After discussion of Bylaw 5.2.3.2 (a) and its reference to
“fellow pastors,” the commission advocates a minor change to delete the word “fellow” to make clear that
a circuit counselor may be selected from outside the circuit, as follows.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
5.2.3.2 The circuit counselor shall serve the pastors of the circuit as a collegial and brotherly adviser,
reminding them of the joy of the ministry and of its great responsibilities.
Page 93 – 02.23.13 – COH Minutes