# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_September 22 23 1972_S4
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

182. Congre~I,~rional Treasurer_(Ag. 367): Reverend B. Dale Thomas of Utica, Michigan asked whether
and why a congregational treasurer needed to be a member of the Board of Trustees. The Commission
resolved to inform him that the position of congregational treasurer is what the constitution and bylaws of
the congregation make it, and that it lies within the province of a congregation to make the decisions
referred to by Pastor Thomas.
183. Commission of Adjudication, Kansas District (L. 368): President Arlen Bruns of t'ie Kansas District
had written giving detailed information concerning the present make-up of their District Board of
Appeals, stating that the District convention had failed to elect a new Commission of Adjudication, and
inquiring what should be done. The Commission decided to advise him that in this present situation there
are technically no alternates that can be used as replacements. Therefore, the second layman should be
asked to resign; the pastor who is now a member of the Board of Directors will also need to resign; the
teacher may continue under the bylaws to serve as one of the pastoral members. The remaining members
of the Board are then to elect two lawyers and two new pastors.
184. Departing Pastors and Election of Delegates (Ag. 368): President Bruns had also asked whether
pastors who had accepted calls elsewhere but who were still serving their congregations would be
permitted to participate in the election of New Orleans convention delegates. The Commission ruled that
since these men are still pastors of the congregations they have the right to participate in the election but
since they would no longer be representing the congregations by next July, they should not be regarded as
candidates for delegates representing the circuit that they are leaving.
185. Explanation of CCM Action in Seminary Case (Ex. 349, 349A): The Florida-Georgia District
convention adopted a resolution requesting the Commission on Constitutional Matters to answer the
following questions:
"1.

Who asked for the opinion you gave on Handbook 6.53 regarding prior consent of the
Board of Higher Education for renewal of appointments?

2.

On which date did you receive this request?

3.

On which date was your opinion given?

4.

Why were the boards of control and administrations of all synodical schools involved not
informed of this opinion when it was given?

5.

Does this opinion break with established procedure of many years?

6.

Has this opinion been applied to all other renewal contracts since this opinion was
rendered?"

The Commission adopted the following reply:
While the Commission finds the request quite unusual it nevertheless is willing to share with you
the information that is pertinent and that is also within its certain knowledge, namely:
Upon proper request received late in 1969, the Commission on Constitutional Matters
issued a ruling involving several paragraphs of Bylaw 6.53 in its meeting of January
22-23, 1970. Please note the foregoing dates. Immediately thereafter the ruling was shared