# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_May 26 29 1979_S1
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

4-21

The dissolution of the English District does not seem to be possible at this time.

4-26

Black Ministry Commission. This may involve setting unwelcomed precedents.

184. Adjournment followed.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

Minutes of the Meeting of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
May 26-29, 1979
185. The Commission on Constitutional Matters met at regular intervals during the time of the floor
committee meetings.
Saturday
186. Otten Eligibility: In answer to a request from Committee #6 the Commission ruled that under the
new colloquy bylaws adopted at Anaheim, Herman Otten is eligible to apply for the colloquy program
since he is presumably a member in good standing of a member congregation and also a college graduate
(Bylaw 4.57, 4).
187. Teachers Conference Elections (Ag. 1350): Since ineligible persons had participated in the election
of the officers of the Northern Illinois District Teachers Conference, the Commission ruled that the
elections are invalid. (However, since the Conference has not followed up with a specific request for a
ruling from the CCM, this will be held in abeyance).
188. Reinstatement Appeal (Ag. 1354): The Roster Committee of the Council of Presidents had asked
whether a man who is denied reinstatement to the clergy roster by the Council of Presidents has any right
of appeal from that decision. The Commission concluded that it could find no provisions in the Bylaws
giving such a right.
189. Removal and Expulsion (Ag. 1354): The same committee had also asked whether removal from the
roster is the same as expulsion from the Synod. The Commission ruled that the two are not necessarily
synonymous although they may be, depending upon the circumstances.
190. Pastoral Call to Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ (Ag. 1355): Pastor Darkow had asked whether this
organization could call a candidate and have the authority to ordain and to place this person on the roster
of the Synod. After considerable study the Commission concluded that since the Ongoing Ambassadors
for Christ is made up of members of member congregations and not exclusively of -member :
congregations, this organization may not issue a call which will place a candidate on the clergy roster of
the Synod by virtue of such a call.
191. Manitoba and Saskatchewan District Bylaws (Ag. 1326A & B): After deleting the paragraph
referring to B34, 2, L, 8, 9, the Commission approved the review of these Bylaws as attached to the
minutes.
192. Lawscope Article (Ag. 1340): The Commission noted receipt of this article from Herbert Freise.