# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_May 6 1988_S6
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

remarks were made which impugned the motives and the integrity of the Secretary of the Synod, the
President of the Synod, and the members of the CCM. President Bohlmann has asked the Board for Parish
Services to provide a resolution or a statement which would deal with this concern. This statement is an
attempt to do that.
The Board for Parish Services wishes to indicate to the Board of Directors, the Commission on
Constitutional Matters, the Secretary of Synod and the President of Synod that the BPS has great respect
for the President and Secretary of Synod and for those serving on the Commission on Constitutional
Matters. On May 29th, 1986, when a presentation was made to the Board of Directors by two members
of-the BPS regarding the relationship of the Board for Parish Services with its Executive Secretary, it was
not the intention nor the desire of the BPS to question or impugn or malign the motives or the integrity of
the President, the Secretary or the members of the CCM. Where offense was taken by, or inadvertently
given to, any of these individuals, the Board for Parish Services sincerely regrets this and expresses its
regret to these brothers in Christ.
In order to inform Dr. Bohlmann, Dr. Rosin, the CCM and the Board of Directors that this motion has
been adopted, and in order that the Board for Parish Services may as quickly and expediently as 'possible
go about the many duties concerning all of us, so that the LC-MS may receive the best possible service
from the BPS and its staff, adoption of the following resolution is recommended:
BE IT RESOLVED

RESOLVED

that Pastor Daniel Preus be asked to share the above statement, adopted by the
BPS, with Dr. Bohlmann, Dr. Rosin, the CCM and the Board of Directors, and be
it,
that the Board for Parish Services request a meeting with Dr. Bohlmann as soon as
Possible.

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - September 9, 1988
113. Opening : After the meeting had been called to order, Walter Rosin led the Commission in an
opening prayer asking for God's guidance and blessing upon its work.
114. Unconstitutionality of Bylaws : In a previous meeting the Commission had considered a document
submitted by Rev. Alfred Balmer, in which he .stated his belief that the Bylaws of the Synod were in
conflict with the Constitution and that when a member joined the Synod he only signed the Constitution
and not the Bylaws. The Commission had rejected his opinion, but in response to a request from him had
indicated that it would consider any further documentation which he might provide. It was requested that
this be done prior to the May meeting. Material had been received from Rev. Balmer but not in time for
discussion at the May meeting of the Commission. After reviewing the additional material which had now
been forwarded, the Commission resolved to respond to Rev. Balmer, stating that it had read his lengthy
document related to his petition for rehearing and was not persuaded by the arguments presented. The
Commission therefore reiterated its previous opinion.
115. Ineligibility for Election as District President (Ag. 1849) : The Rev. Jack Cascione had questioned
the right of a pastor in the Ohio District to be considered as a candidate for the Office of President of the
district. This right was questioned on the basis of statements which were included in a book entitled, "The
Penguin Principles," and authored by this pastor. The book used illustrations of a woman pastor and the
booklet was commended by the author for use in the guidance of pastors. Chairman Schnelz had