# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_July 17 18 1987_S5
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

elected in 1985 had served in a part-time capacity for 15 years prior to his election as full-time president.
The question had been asked as to whether he would be eligible for election in 1988 and 1991.
The Secretary had provided a personal opinion which stated that the incumbent president would be
eligible and noted that adjustments are obviously needed when there is a change in the bylaws or in the
frequency at which conventions are held. It would be wise for the District Constitution Committee or
Board of Directors to prepare a recommendation to the district convention relating to the tenure and
eligibility of incumbents who were serving at the time when the Bylaws were amended for consideration
by the convention. The convention could then declare itself with regard to the point at which the amended
bylaws begin to impact upon the incumbents.
The Commission ratified the response of the Secretary.
63. Minutes : After amending the second last sentence of the final paragraph of item #44 by adding the
words "of the intent to terminate" after the word "executive," the minutes for March 27, 1987 were
approved.
64. District Constitution Committees : Questions had been raised regarding the possibility of meetings
with the District Constitution Committees or their chairmen. The Commission indicated that such
meetings might be desirable and asked the Secretary to draft a letter to the District Constitution
Committees indicating that the Commission on Constitutional Matters is considering the desirability of
such meetings and requests their views with regard to the need for them. Furthermore, suggestions for the
agenda of such a meeting should be requested, a question should be asked regarding the need for a
bulletin to deal with Commission on Constitutional Matters' opinion which affect congregations, and
whether or not it would be desirable to have regional or national meetings with District Constitution
Committees or their representatives. Response to the letter should be received prior to the next meeting of
the Commission on Constitutional Matters which is scheduled for November 6, 1987.
65. Campus Ministry - Sacramento (Ag. 1808,B,C) : Resuming discussion of the legitimacy of the
campus ministry supported by the California-Nevada-Hawaii District at Sacramento, the Commission
asked the Secretary to prepare a letter which included the following points:
1) Groups involved should be informed that the primary purpose of the Commission on
Constitutional Matters is interpretation not the investigation of facts. The Commission does
not declare or implement policy.
2) Commission on Constitutional Matters attempts not to be judgmental but simply states the
rule and asks that it be applied to specific situations.
3) The Commission on Constitutional Matters has received a number of interesting documents
relating to the campus ministry at Sacramento. These materials indicate that all are familiar
with the former rulings of the Commission on Constitutional Matters as well as the
reaffirmation and ratification of campus ministry policies by the Synod.
4) The Commission has asked and received comments from the Rev. Ed Schmidt, secretary for
Campus Ministry, on the purpose of campus ministry and the manner in which it is to be
carried out.
5) The Commission has read with interest the documents of June 26, 1987 received from the
District Board of Directors outlining the ministry which is being supported at Sacramento.