# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_April 10 11 2015_S5
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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(Bylaw 4.3.1). Also, “circuit counselor” must be replaced with “circuit visitor” here and
throughout.
Bylaw 2.67: In paragraph b, Synod Bylaw 3.2.4.2, since it does not pertain to vice-presidents
and circuit visitors, therefore cannot be referenced in support of term limits for those offices.
In paragraph c, the reference should be to Synod Bylaw 3.2.4.2 [b], not 3.2.4.1 [b].
Bylaw 2.81: Paragraph a as it stands is incorrect according to current Synod Bylaw 4.3.1,
which now states that vice-presidents are to be nominated and elected from the clergy roster
of the district.
Bylaw 2.91: Paragraph b references a Synod bylaw that is not applicable. Paragraph c must
be amended to read: “He along with the president of the district shall prepare….” to satisfy
Constitution Art. XII 9 d.
Bylaw 2.107: As it stands, this bylaw overstates the responsibility of the board of directors,
which is to represent the district and not its individual congregations—as properly stated in
Bylaw 2.109 a.
Bylaw 4.05: Here under the responsibilities of the Council of Congregational Services would
be a good location for a mention of its cooperative relationship with the Office of National
Mission of the Synod (Synod Bylaws 3.8.2.3ff.).
Bylaw 7.11: Due to a Synod bylaw change made by the 2013 convention, vice-president
nominations are to be made from the “district’s” roster of ministers of religion—ordained
and, as appropriate, from a region. The comment regarding consenting to relocate at the end
of the paragraph is no longer needed and can be deleted.
Bylaw 7.15: The ranking of vice-presidents is also an election and therefore also requires a
majority vote (see Synod Bylaw 4.7.3 and compare Constitution Art. VIII C and Synod
Bylaw 3.12.2.7 [g]). The second half of the second sentence of this paragraph must therefore
read: “;…the first vice-president receiving the most to receive a majority of votes cast will be
the First Vice-President,” the same principle and practice to hold true for the ranking of the
remaining vice-presidents.
Bylaw 7.23: Since this paragraph includes the duties of circuit visitors, the bylaw reference
should include all Synod bylaws up to Bylaw 5.2.3.3.
Bylaw 7.37: As required by Synod Bylaw 4.3.3, residence is the determining factor for
eligibility for regional elections. The second sentence of paragraph j should therefore read:
“Nominees for positions held by Ministers of Religion – Commissioned are to be members of
a District congregation, and if the position requires, residents of the appropriate region of the
District.”
Bylaw 7.37: The remainder of paragraph j should reflect the fact that only the president of
the district is to be elected from the clergy roster of the Synod; all others are to be elected
from the clergy roster of the district or region as appropriate (Synod Bylaw 4.3.1). It should
therefore read: “Nominees for district president, Vice Presidents, Secretary and Circuit
Visitors are to be from the Synod roster of ministers of religion—ordained; all other positions
(vice-presidents, secretary, circuit visitors, councils, committees, etc.) that are to be filled by
ministers of religion—ordained shall be filled with members of the district roster of ministers
of religion—ordained, and if the position requires, of the appropriate region of the district.”

H. Texas District Bylaws (15-2752)
Upon review, the commission offered the following comments and requirements. Because the district
included also its proposed changes to its Articles of Incorporation, the commission reviewed that
document as well.

CCM Minutes – April 10–11, 2015 – Page 67