# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_September 30 1977_S12
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

two-thirds vote to adopt a doctrinal statement, the present status of doctrinal statements, a representative
of the President's office attending District conferences, the number of official conferences allowed in each
District, and the matter of excuses from conferences. The Commission ratified the reply of the Secretary
as a correct interpretation.
362. Slate of Nominees for Counselor (Ag. 1234): In reply to some questions from President Arlen J.
Bruns of the Kansas District the Secretary had stated that while conventions should ordinarily honor the
wishes of the congregations within the circuit, it was the District itself which elected the circuit
counselors and therefore had the right to amend the slate of candidates. The Commission ratified this
reply.
363. Seminex Graduates on Ro.s,e r and Serving as Voting Delegates (Ag. 1150): For quite some time the
Commission had carried on its agenda carbon copies from Arthur W. Gardell addressed to the Secretary
and to the President of the Synod regarding this subject. Since nothing further had transpired since
December, 1976, the Commission decided to remove the item from the agenda.
364. District Bylaws (Ag. 11, 236, etc.): In order finally to review these District Bylaws, the Commission
members agreed to the following new assignments to be finished in time for the next meeting:
California-Nevada-Hawaii - Klotz; Ohio - Eberhard; New England - Prevallet; Kansas - Freise.
365. Meeting Dates: The following meeting dates were established:
Friday, December 9, 4:00 p.m. - December 10, 6:00 p.m.
Friday, March 3 - 4, 1978
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

Minutes of the Meeting of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
March 3-4, 1978, St. Louis, Missouri
1. The first meeting of the present biennium opened with prayer by Carl Eberhard. All voting members
were present at the beginning of the meeting.
2. Minutes: The minutes of September 30, 1977, were approved as submitted.
3. Eberhard Marriage: The Commission congratulated Carl Eberhard on his recent marriage to a close
family friend of many years.
4. Reappointments: The Commission noted with joy that Donald Prevallet had been reappointed to a
four-year term and John Klotz to a six-year term, both beginning January 1, 1978.
5. Guido Merkens: It was also reported that Guido Merkens had been appointed as the vice-presidential
advisory member of the Commission. When he appeared somewhat later in the meeting he was given a
warm welcome together with an explanation of his advisory function and of the confidential nature of the
Commission's work. He responded most graciously.
6. Handbook: The Secretary reported that the Handbook had been published soon after the latest meeting
of the Commission which had given the final touches to the galleys.