# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_September 26 2019_S1
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Web Meeting (zoom.us)
September 26, 2019
1. Call to Order and Opening Devotion
Commission Chairman Dr. George Gude called the commission’s first meeting of the triennium to order
with all members present by web conference. Mr. Tom Deadrick and Rev. Larry Peters were, in connection
with the September Council of Presidents meeting, returned to the commission for their second six-year
terms. Dr. Gude opened the meeting with prayer.
2. Organization
The commission organized itself for the new triennium, with Dr. Gude calling for nominations for each
office and conducting the vote for each in turn. Elected to the regular offices of the commission, other than
Secretary, which is served ex officio by the Secretary of the Synod, were the following:
Chairman

Dr. George Gude

Vice-Chairman

Rev. Larry Peters

Assistant Secretary

Mr. Tom Deadrick

Representative to the Commission on Handbook

Dr. George Gude

Noting the commission’s responsibility for the study directed by 2019 Res. 9-17, “To Study Voting
Privilege in the LCMS,” Dr. Gude offered that he and Dr. Sias would serve as the commission’s committee
for this study, to be conducted in conjunction with representatives of, and commissioned ministers selected
by, the Council of Presidents (these to be selected in the Council’s November meeting). These appointments
were agreeable to the commission.
3. LCMS Foundation Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (19-2917)
The president of the LCMS Foundation, responding to the commission’s review of Foundation articles, as
directed by 2016 Res. 9-02A (Op. 18-2895), and to LCMS Bylaw changes resulting from 2019 Res. 9-09,
submitted proposed changes to Foundation articles and bylaws for review in accordance with Bylaw 3.6.1.7
(a). The commission approved both changes as in conformity with the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and
applicable resolutions, and thanks the Foundation and its president for facilitating a timely and orderly
review.
4. Correspondence, Future Meetings and Adjournment
After reviewing an item of correspondence received by the commission, which was determined not to
necessitate formal response by way of an opinion, the commission set dates for the first few meetings of
the new triennium. The commission resolved to meet Nov. 1–2, 2019, in St. Louis, to review the 2019
Handbook (following a meeting of the Commission on Handbook on Oct. 18–19), and to plan to meet
(tentatively) April 24–25, 2020, also in St. Louis, to coordinate a joint session with the Council of
Presidents. Depending on business, the commission may not meet in person between November and April,
meeting instead by web conference on as-needed basis. The business of this meeting being concluded,
Chairman Gude adjourned with words of benediction.
John W. Sias, Secretary

CCM Minutes – September 26, 2019 – Page 1