# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_May 28 31 1977_S4
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

302. Ellermann on "Call Procedure" (Ag. 1188, A): The Commission endorsed the action of the Secretary
in supplying copies of the Commission's opinion regarding the document "Call Procedure" upon request
to Mr. Roy Stokes of Sulphur, Louisiana, and Rev. Gordon L. Waterman of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
303. Reprinting of Guidelines (Ag. 1195, A): The Commission took special note of the fact that Mr.
Ralph Reinke had given permission to the Commission to reprint in handy xerox form copies of the
model constitution in the booklet "Guidelines" to which CPH holds copy rights but which is now out of
print.
304. Advisory Delegate Appointments (Ag. 1196, A): The Commission ratified the Secretary's letters to
President Martin Dienst of the New England District that it is not possible to fill by appointment
vacancies among the advisory delegates representing the advisory members of the Synod.
305. Emeritus as a Member of a Commission of Adjudication (Ag 1183): President Arthur T. Kuehnert of
Central Illinois had asked whether an emeritus could serve as a member of the District Commission of
Adjudication. On the basis of previous actions the Secretary had replied in the affirmative. The
Commission had ruled that advisory members of the Synod (and emeriti are advisories) are eligible for
election to office in the District and in the Synod, with the exception of the office of counselor. The
Commission ratified his reply.
306. Further Consultations: During the course of the floor committee meetings the members of the
Commission met at regular intervals to discuss developments in the various floor committees. It
particularly helped to redraft the resolution of Committee 410 with reference to the establishment of a
Black Commission. It also heard that Committee #6 was reacting unfavorably to the Board of Directors'
overture regarding Irvine's participation in the 125th Thankoffering. Various other matters were called to
the attention of the Commission in an informal way.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary
Minutes of the Meeting of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
July 13-22, 1977
At various times the Commission met during the synodical convention in Dallas.
Wednesday, July 13, 1977
All members were present at this time except Chairman Herbert Freise.
307. Nominating Committee Proposal Re Statements by Candidates (Ag. 1151): The Commission again
spent considerable time on the question which represents a departure from previous procedures, namely,
that of asking a nominee to state his qualifications for the office as well as his views on synodical issues.
The Commission had previously recommended to the Nominating Committee that it should at least
permit the convention to decide the matter. The Commission after further discussion came to the
conclusion that the proposal did indeed go beyond present bylaws and did represent a significant
departure from standard synodical procedures of the past. On the following day it formally adopted an
opinion (attached to the minutes) for transmittal on that same day to the Committee for Convention
Nominations.
308. Delegate Vacancies (Ag. 1068): The Commission concluded that no further action was needed at this
particular time.