# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_October 16 17 1967_S6
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

46. Lay Pastoral Workers: President F. Niedner raised two questions regarding lay workers who are
serving as lay pastors of congregations: May such a lay worker serve as a pastoral delegate to a
convention? May he be chosen by the parish as the lay delegate? The Commission resolved to answer
"no" to the first question and to answer "yes, under present regulations" to the second question.
47. Sweetwater, Texas: The Constitution Committee of the Texas District had submitted a detailed brief
with respect to the constitution of the amalgamated Missouri Synod-ALC congregation in Sweetwater.
Disagreement exists between the constitution committee and the congregation especially with reference to
the paragraph on woman suffrage. It was decided to inform the constitution committee "that our
Commission does not regard the question of woman suffrage as a constitutional matter but as a
theological question, that our Commission therefore hesitates to make any ruling on the point at issue.
However, the Commission wishes to remind the constitution committee of the precedent involved in
receiving the Finnish Lutheran congregations into the synodical fellowship." It was decided that the
Secretary should phone President Heckmann to give more detailed background to our thinking, to
encourage an evangelical approach to this exceptional case, and also to recommend that the constitution
committee not press for a more stringent statement in the paragraph regarding lodge membership. The
congregation, which had also written to our Commission, is to be informed that we have addressed our
reply to the District constitution committee in harmony with our customary policy.
48. New Haven: Considerable discussion was given to the New Haven appeals case decision.
49. Behnken Question Be. Goetjen's Congregation: President Behnken of Southern California asked for
guidance in dealing with this congregation. The Commission delegated Luessenhop to advise President
Behnken to inform the congregation that it would be inconsistent in retaining the services of its pastor and
to suggest to the congregation, if it persists in retaining his services, that it resign from the Synod.
50. The undersigned was asked to offer the closing prayer.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary.

COMMISSION OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
St. Louis, Missouri, December 7-8, 1967
51. All members were present. Streufert opened the meeting with prayer. The minutes of October 16-17
were approved as submitted.
HANDB00K
52. Handbook Revisions: Secretary Mueller had mailed to the members questions of substance which the
members had submitted after checking the galley sheets for they . Handbook. The Commission now made
the following changes by proper motions:
53. Foreword: "update " was changed to "revise."
54. Articles of Incorporation: The original footnote was inserted Wore the new footnote at the end of the
Articles.
55. 1.24: The heading was changed to "Convention-Orientation."