# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S239
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

238 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

Similar:
5-87B

District Pastoral Conference, Florida-Georgia District,
Kurt W. Biel, Chairman; Gerald L. Renken, Secretary.

5-88

To Introduce New Method of Interpreting
Synodical Resolutions

WHEREAS, Occasionally there develop differences of opin-
ion about the interpretation and implications of synodical
resolutions; and

WHEREAS, It is important that synodical resolutions be
communicated to all people in our church as clearly and
accurately as possible; and

Whereas, The responsibility of interpreting synodical
resolutions is delegated in the Handbook to the Commission
on Constitutional Matters (2.107 e) which commission con-
sists of five appointed members; and

Whereas, The Council of District Presidents can be help-
ful in interpreting certain resolutions; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
in convention at New Orleans in 1973 make the necessary
changes in the Handbook to provide that an interpretation
of a synodical resolution rendered by the Commission on
Constitutional Matters may be appealed to the Council of
District Presidents as well as the next synodical convention.

BoarD oF DIRECTORS
CALIFORNIA AND NEvADA DISTRICT
Theo. A. Iverson, Secretary

5-89

To Reassign Interpretation of Resolutions
to Council of Presidents

WuersEaS, From time to time resolutions adopted by the
Synod may need interpretation and application because of
vague wording, inconclusive statements, and other causes;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the English District memorialize the syn-
odical convention in 1973 that the Council of Presidents be
charged with the responsibility of interpreting the resolu-
tions of the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents render such
interpretation upon the written request of any elected or
appointed board, commission, or committee of the Synod
or of any member District, circuit, or congregation of the

Synod. ENGLISH DISTRICT

Robert L. Landeck, Secretary

5-90

To Overrule CCM Opinion
on Presidential Authority

Whereas, The opinion on presidential authority given by
the Commission on Constitutional Matters published in the
Witness Reporter, Oct. 22, 1972, grants to the President of
the Synod rights which have not been expressly conferred
upon him by the Synod, contrary to Article XI A 1 of our
Constitution; and

Wuereas, Article XI B 2 and 3 charges the President with
the duty to “advise, admonish, and reprove”; but nowhere
is he given the authority to “alter, cancel, reverse or nullify”
the decision of a board of Synod or even to “intervene”
unless he has “been expressly invested with such power for
such specific purpose” (Bylaws 2.29); and

Wuereas, The opinion of the Commission on Constitu-
tional Matters tends to centralize authority in one man and

thus violate the democratic character of our church polity;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the convention overrule the opinion on

presidential authority. Hope LuTHERAN CHURCH

Pompano Beach, Fla.
Fritz Gale, President
James Maynard, Secretary

o-91A

To Elect All Members of Board
for Higher Education at This Time

Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has
thwarted the intent of the Milwaukee convention by ruling
that the people appointed after Milwaukee need not stand
for election at New Orleans: and

Wuereas, There is synodical precedent with other boards
and commissions, that when the Synod changed them from
appointive to elective, all members currently serving on said
board or commission stood for election; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Golden Gate Pastoral Conference
memorialize the Synod in convention at New Orleans to
reverse the decision of the Commission on Constitutional
Matters and arrange for all members of the BHE to stand
for election at the New Orleans convention.

GOLDEN GATE PasTORAL CONFERENCE
CALIFORNIA AND NEvADA DISTRICT
Louis C. Marting, Secretary

Similar:

5-91B

Sierra-Nevada Pastoral Conference, California and Ne-
vada District, Oren Geiger, Chairman; James A. Kabel, Sec-
retary.

5-92

To Reinterpret Bylaw 6.53
(Prior Consent of BHE)

Wuereas, The Board for Higher Education has reversed
the Board of Control of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in
the reappointment of Dr. Arlis Ehlen; and

Wuereas, This was done on the basis of an opinion of the
Commission on Constitutional Matters (prior consent in 6.53
of the Handbook) which opinion was not reported to the
Synod nor to the Board of Control (even while the subject
appointment was under consideration); and

Wuereas, Bylaw 6.53 has never in the past been under-
stood to apply to reappointments; and

Wuereas, The Board for Higher Education has not applied
6.53 to any other of the many reappointments made at the
seminary; and

Wuereas, This action permitted a board appointed by the
President of the Synod to reverse a board elected by the
Synod; and

Whereas, This action is one of the contributing factors
resulting in probation by the American Association of Theo-
logical Schools; therefore be it

Resolved, That 6.53 be interpreted to apply only to origi-
nal appointments and only for purposes of coordinating
action of the Boards of Control of our various institutions
(not a veto action).

FLoripa-Georcia District PASTORAL CONFERENCE
Kurt W. Biel, Chairman
Gerald L. Renken, Secretary

3-934

To Revise Constitution and Bylaws to Give
Equal Opportunity to Women

Wueneas, The synodical Constitution and Bylaws seem to
be written on the assumption that only men are eligible to
participate in the administrative and governing structures of
the synod; and