# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_October 1 1982_S4
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

96. South Dakota District Bylaws (Ag. 1568, A): Three points were still under discussion with respect to
this set of Bylaws. The Commission took the following actions:
1. Dissolution Paragraph. The Commission approved this abbreviated version for the Articles of
Incorporation.
2. The Articles of Incorporation still quote the old version of Article III of the Synod's
Constitution. The Commission ruled that this must be changed to incorporate the new
wording of Article III in the District's Articles of Incorporation.
3. New Bylaw 5.01 of S.D. assumes six-year terms for District officers. The Commission held
that this also must be changed since staggering of terms is impossible with three-year terms
and a three-year convention cycle.
The Secretary was instructed to notify President Wendling of these decisions.
97. Nebraska District Bylaws (Ag. 1572, C): The Commission approved the revisions adopted by the
District convention and removed the item from the agenda.
98. California-Nevada-Hawaii Bylaws (Ag. 1580, A,B) : It was decided to hold this item, awaiting further
word.
99. Structure of Department of Stewardship and Financial Support (Ag. 1583, A,B,C): This item also was
held pending further information and request.
100. Standard Paragraph Re Dissolution of Districts (Ag. 1590) : The Commission noted the standard
Article for District Articles of Incorporation developed already in 1966.
101. District Blanket Subscription for Lutheran Witness (Ag.1601A) : The Commission noted that the
District Commission had made a decision in regard to this problem which confronted the Northwest
District and removed the item from the agenda.
102. Central Illinois District Bylaws (Ag. 1607, A): The Commission approved these revisions.
103. Lloyd Behnken Eligibility (Ag. 1609): Pastor Robert A. Grunow had asked whether Lloyd Behnken
would be eligible after his present term to be considered for another term under the new bylaws adopted
by the District. The Commission after studying the matter ruled that President L. Lloyd Behnken is
indeed eligible for a fourth term since the restriction in the District Bylaws refers to the number of terms
and not to the number of years served.
104. Congregational Bylaws (Ag. 1610) President Elwood Zimmermann of the Indiana District had asked
whether congregational bylaws were properly regarded as part of the congregation's constitution and
therefore subject to review by the District Committee on Congregational Constitutions. The Secretary had
sent him copies of two previous rulings in 1978 and 1979, replying generally in the affirmative. This
action was ratified by the Commission.
105. Handbook Distribution (Ag. 1612): In reply to a question regarding wider distribution of the
Handbook, especially to those graduating from our colleges and entering various church professions other
than that of pastor or teacher, it was decided to reaffirm the present practice and not to provide free copies
to those who do not become pastor or teacher members of the Synod.