# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S238 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 237 Resolved, That the entire Commission on Constitutional Matters be elected by convention of the Synod, effective with the 1973 convention and that proper provision therefor be made in the Handbook. Frioripa-Grorcia District PasTORAL CONFERENCE Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Kurt W. Biel, Chairman Gerald L. Renken, Secretary Identical: 5-83B Hope Lutheran Church, Pompano Beach, Fla., Fritz Gale, President; James Maynard, Secretary. 5-844 To Elect All Members of Commission on Constitutional Matters Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has become more important in recent years in the administra- tion of the affairs of the LCMS; and Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has the task of interpreting not only Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws but resolutions of synodical conventions as well: and Wuereas, Electing member: of the Commission on Consti- tutional Matters would make them more responsive to the total membership of the Synod, and thereby avoid any con- flict of interest: therefore be it Resolved. That the Golden Gate Pastoral Conference memorialize the Synod at the convention in New Orleans to change the Handbook of the Synod, so that the Commis- sion on Constitutional Matters from henceforth will be elected, starting with the New Orleans convention. GOLDEN GATE PASTORAL CONFERENCE CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA DISTRICT Louis C. Marting, Secretary Similar: 5-84B Sierra-Nevada Pastoral Conference. California and Ne- vada District, Oren Geiger, Chairman; James A. Kabel, Sec- retary. 5-854 To Restructure Commission on Constitutional Matters Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters is appointed by the President of the Synod in consultation with the Vice-Presidents: and Wuereas, The President has in addition the power to ap- point one of the Vice-Presidents as an advisory member (Handbook 2.107): and Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters is at times called upon to render opinions and interpretations in respect to the President's authority which have important implications and may result in conflicts of interests between the President and his appointed commission (e.g., Lutheran Witness Reporter. Oct. 22, 1972): therefore be it Resolved. That the Commission on Constitutional Matters shall consist of two pastors, two laymen, and one teacher to be elected by the Synod and two advisory members. one of which shall be a Vice-President appointed by the Presi- dent of the Synod and the other. the Secretary of the Synod. Nortu REGION PASTORAL CONFERENCE New Encianp DISTRICT John Lemkul Identical: 5-85B The Lutheran Chapel of Our Savior, Hanover, N. H., Don- ald Garfield, President; John Lemkul. Pastor. 5-864 To Publish Opinions and Interpretations of Commission on Constitutional Matters Wuereas, It is the responsibility of the Commission on Constitutional Matters to “interpret the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions upon the request of a member (congregation, clergyman, or teacher), official, board, com- mission, or agency of the Synod” (Handbook, 2.107 e); and Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters fre- quently renders interpretations and opinions relative to syn- odical affairs in the interim periods between synodical con- ventions; and Wuereas, The synodical Handbook stipulates that “an opinion rendered by the commission shall be binding on the question decided unless and until it is overruled by a synodi- cal convention” (Handbook, 2.107 e); and Wuereas, Such interpretations and opinions rendered by the Commission on Constitutional Matters are frequently of significance to individuals, congregations, boards, com- missions, or agencies far beyond the circle of the persons requesting such an interpretation or opinion; therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod direct the Commission on Con- stitutional Matters to report its various opinions and inter- pretations. together with a statement of the specific question or request to which the commission is responding, to the entire Synod through the official church papers within six weeks of their adoption by the commission; and be it further Resolved. That the Synod direct the Commission on Con- stitutional Matters to include in its report to the Synod in the Convention Workbook the official wording of each of its interpretations arrived at in the interim period between synodical conventions: and be it finally Resolved. That no opinion or interpretation of the Com- mission on Constitutional Matters shall be considered bind- ing if it has not been so reported to the church at large and to the next convention of the Synod following its adoption by the commission. LUTHERAN CHAPEL OF OuR SAVIOR Hanover. N.H. Donald Garfield, President Regina Stanhope, Secretary John Lemkul, Pastor Identical or Similar: 5-86B North Region Pastoral Conference, New England District, John Lemkul. 3-86C Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo, Mich., Vern Fanke, Chairman; Virginia Slinker, Secretary. 5-87A To Limit Binding Nature of CCM Opinions WHEREAS, Opinions of the Commission on Constitutional Matters have binding force unless appealed and reversed by the following convention of the Synod; and Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters is not now and does not consider itself obligated to report all of its opinions to the next convention of the Synod; and Wuereas, This may by-pass the Synod in interpreting its Handbook: therefore be it Resolved. That opinions of the Commission on Constitu- tional Matters be binding only until the next convention of the Synod. at which convention all of their opinions must be submitted for review to the Synod to be upheld or re- versed by the Synod in convention; and be it further Resolved, That opinions of the Commission on Constitu- tional Matters be published in The Lutheran Witness when they are given. Hore LutHeRAN CHURCH Pompano Beach, Fla. Fritz Gale, President James Maynard, Secretary