# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_March 21 1986_S1
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

"The district Committee on Constitutional Matters shall receive, consider, and act upon the
congregational constitutions in accordance with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod."
The Bylaws of the Manitoba--Saskatchewan District were approved subject to this change.
196. Definition of Disagreements and Controversies: On a number of occasions the question had arisen
regarding a definition of the term "controversies and disagreements" as found in Bylaw 6.41. The
Commission does not feel that a rewording or further definition is necessary since the bylaw makes it
clear that the "controversies and disagreements" referred to in the bylaw are those which occur between
people of equal standing, not between those of administrative superiors and members of a faculty.
197. Adjournment: Having completed its business, the meeting of the Commission was adjourned with
prayer led by Dr. Richard Schlecht.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters -

March 21, 1986

198. Opening Devotion : At the request of Chairman Schnelz, Dr. Roland Hopmann led the Commission
in a prayer thanking God for His blessings in Christ Jesus and asking for guidance on the work of the
Commission.
199. Ohio District Bylaws (Ag. 236) : A final copy of the Ohio District Bylaws with its changes has
been received and approved. This item is to be removed from the agenda.
200. Southern California District Bylaws (Ag. 1591) : These Bylaws have now been received and any
necessary changes have been made. The Southern California Bylaws are now approved. This item is also
to be removed from the agenda.
201. Colorado District Bylaws (Ag. 1603) : The Colorado District is now the Rocky Mountain District.
A request has been made for these Bylaws, but no response has been received. The Secretary is to contact
President Petersen informally, again requesting that the Bylaws be forwarded.
202. Minnesota South District Bylaws (Ag. 1643) : President Cloeter has forwarded a copy of the
Minnesota South District Bylaws highlighting those sections which were changed in 1981 and 1985.
Judge Schnelz will review these Bylaws and report his reactions to them at the next meeting of the
Commission.
203. Confusion Regarding Election of Convention Delegates by Circuit Forums (Ag. 1765) : Rev.
James Newton of Medford, Wisconsin, who had called this matter to the attention of the Commission has
been notified that the Commission on Structure will be considering changes in the Bylaws relating to the
election of convention delegates. The Commission on Structure is proposing some changes which will
indicate that the convention delegate is an advisory member of the circuit forum rather than a voting
member. This matter is also to be removed from the docket.
204. Questions regarding Congregational Constitutions of Several Congregations in the Nebraska
District (Ag. 1766) : At its last meeting, the Commission expressed its opinion regarding the two