# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_May 6 2025_S1
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Internet Conference Meeting (Zoom.us)
May 6, 2025
116. Opening Prayer and Adoption of Agenda
With all commission members present by internet conference, Chairman Peters called the meeting to order.
Following an opening prayer, the commission proceeded with its previously distributed agenda, as follows:
117. Request for Reconsideration of Opinion 24-3031, “Adjunct Seminary Faculty” (24-3031A)
The commission reviewed a letter, dated the day of the meeting, from the reverend presidents of Concordia
Theological Seminary and Concordia Seminary regarding the commission’s recent Op. 24-3031. The
commission resolved to receive the request for reconsideration included in the letter, requesting that the
Secretary request and compile input from impacted agencies, including the seminary boards and university
presidents and boards, Concordia University System, and the President of the Synod.
118. South Wisconsin District Overture and Bylaw Amendment, Proposed (25-3062)
By an email of April 9, the South Wisconsin District Office forwarded for the commission’s review a
district convention overture, “To Amend Bylaw 1.24.a to Limit Terms of the Office of District President,
Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and Treasurer.” The commission finds the overture to be
in harmony with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod.
The commission does suggest alternative language that may be clearer, namely to substitute for the
“shall…” as proposed the following: “may not serve more than four consecutive terms in one particular
office and may not serve more than 15 years (whether consecutive or non-consecutive) in one particular
office.” This language is approved for presentation to and adoption by the district, should the suggestion be
taken up.
The district is thanked for sending the item for review and reminded, should the proposal be adopted, to
forward for the commission’s records a clean copy of the bylaws as adopted.
119. Central Illinois District Bylaws, Further Revised (25-3053A)
By an email of April 24, the Central Illinois District President forwarded for the commission’s review, in
response to the commission’s earlier Op. 25-3053, a proposed further revision of the district’s bylaws. In
response the commission notes:
•

•

CI Bylaw 2.3.b: The memorandum sent with the document indicates that a separate overture will
be forthcoming, but Bylaw 2.3.b as proposed to be amended sets September 1 following as the date
definite for assumption of office. The commission approves the change and indicates that any
subsequent amendment to what is proposed would require separate approval, either before or,
subject to 3.9.2.2.3 (b), after the district convention.
Bylaw 2.5.c, 2.6.a.9, etc. and 2.22.a, etc.: It is the commission’s understanding that the district
committee intends to use “pastor” to refer in general to a man on the district (Synod) roster as an
“ordained minister,” and “parish pastor” to refer to those presently in parish service, while using
“commissioned church worker from the Synod roster” to refer to a “commissioned minister.”
(Incidentally, it uses the latter even where “…from the Synod roster” is followed by “of the
district.”)

With regard to this second item and as explained in the accompanying memorandum, this usage seems to
be intentionally and purposefully different from the language the Synod in convention has adopted and
commonly uses in its Bylaws. If the members of the district believe that the nomenclature adopted by the
Synod in convention is not the best, they have the ability to memorialize the Synod to change it. That
CCM Minutes – May 6, 2025 – Page 91