# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_August 13 14 1976_S4
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

114. Applicability of Colloquy Procedures to 1975 Seminex Graduate (Ag 1035): Nine members of the
faculty of Concordia, River Forest, who are also members of Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, had
raised some questions as to whether or not certain constitutional articles and bylaws apply to a 1975
graduate of Seminex. After studying the matter the Commission ruled as follows:
1.

Constitution Article VI, 6 and Bylaw 4.67 do not apply to this particular case.

2.

Bylaw 4.57, 3 does apply and therefore the colloquy procedures together with the special
provisions for Seminex graduates voted by the Anaheim convention also apply (Resolution
6-04).

3.

The Commission calls attention to a misconception reflected in the last paragraph of the
communication from the River Forest professors. As far as clergy status is concerned, graduates
of Valparaiso University are required to submit to colloquy procedures or to enroll in a regular
way at one of the synodical seminaries in order to be certified.

115. Ontario District "Theses on Holy Scripture" (Ag 1055): The convention of the Ontario District had
asked the CCM to rule on the constitutionality of the eight "Theses on Holy Scripture" adopted by the
convention. The Commission decided to reply as follows:
The only constitutional issue would be whether these theses are in agreement with Article II and
this is an evaluation which should be made by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations.
The Commission on Constitutional Matters takes for granted that the District has not asked about
procedures but merely about the constitutionality of the theses themselves.
116. Brockhoff Request re Student Aid (Ag. 993-A, 997): President Harold A. Brockhoff had asked for
more information regarding the previous ruling of the CCM with respect to the forwarding of monies to
ELIM and Seminex and the appropriations for student aid. The Commission resolved to ratify the
Secretary's reply of June 23 and also to send a copy of the opinion adopted in this meeting (Ag. 1020)
with reference to the student aid resolution of the Florida-Georgia District convention.
117. Procedures for Election of Synodical Delegates (Ag 1067): As in the past, the Secretary had again
developed guidelines for circuit counselors to help them in conducting properly the circuit meetings held
for the election of voting delegates to the synodical convention. He called attention to a few minor
changes that he had made in the new guidelines for 1977 and asked for a reaction from the Commission.
The Commission approved the 1977 guidelines.
118. Guidelines for Specific Delegate Vacancies (A 1068): In anticipation of what the CCM might rule
with regard to AELC eligibility for delegate procedures, Secretary Mueller had also asked for guidance
from the CCM if certain specific kinds of vacancies would occur. For his guidance the Commission
agreed upon the following basic approaches:
1.

Delegates and alternates who are members of the AELC or of congregations belonging to the
AELC are no longer eligible, as determined earlier in the meeting by the Commission on
Constitutional Matters.

2. If an eligible alternate is available, then of course he is to fill the position. i
3.

Otherwise, another circuit meeting should be held if possible before the October 15, 1976
deadline.