# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_OCTOBER 8 9 1964_S2
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

- 40 - ( 2)

204, The Rev. Richard F, Jesse, Chairman of the Committee on

Convention Nominations, had presented four items for the consideration

of the Commission, requesting official opinions,

A)

B)

C)

Are Women Eligible to Serve on Synodical Boards? After considering

the matter very thoroughly, the Commission arrived at the following

conclusions:

1)

2)

3)

The language of the Synodical HANDBOOK etymologically does
not exclude women from serving on its official Boards;

Historically women have been excluded by The Lutheran Church
- Missouri Synod from serving on its official Boards;

Until the Synod itself changes this historical position, we
would advise that women should not serve on Synodical Boards.
- However, this does not preclude that Boards may avail them-
selves of particular skills of women by drawing them in as
advisory members,

Is Dr, William Buege Eligible to Continue to Serve on the Synod's Board

of Directors in View of the Fact that He has Accepted the Position as
Dean of the Chapel at Valparaiso University? After giving consideration

to this matter, the Commission came to this conclusion:

The word "pastor" as used in paragraph 2.71 (Synodical
HANDBOOK - Membership of the Board of Directors of

the Synod) undoubtedly had in mind pastors who are serving
a voting congregation; this has been the traditionally
accepted position of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
and, consequently, the Commission would question whether
Doctor Buege should be renominated for membership on the
Synod's Board of Directors; obviously he should be permitted
to complete his present term of Office.

Are District Executive Secretaries Eligible to Serve on the Synod's

Board of Directors? The Commission adopted the following opinion:

The answer to this question is "No" because District Executive
Secretaries are not "pastors" in the usually understood sense
of that term; in addition, at least some of the District Executive
Secretaries are elected to their office and would therefore not
be eligible to an election on the Synodical level in accordance
with paragraph 2,15 of the Synodical HANDBOOK (Holding More
Than One Office).