# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S223 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 223 5-19 To Clarify Synodical Membership Status of Various Ministries WHEREAS, Article V of the Synod’s Constitution grants membership in the Synod to congregations, ministers of the Gospel, and teachers: and WHEREAS, Other forms of ministry such as deaconess and director of Christian education are now present in many con- gregations; and WHEREAS, Women teachers are now eligible for member- ship in the Synod but deaconesses have not been granted that privilege: and WHEREAS, Eligibility for consideration for boards and com- missions of the Synod under the present Constitution and Bylaws is limited to those individuals listed on the pastor and teacher rosters in The Lutheran Annual: and WHEREAS, Programs of preparation for directors of Christian education in synodical colleges provide options which may not result in certification as a classroom teacher or ordination as a pastor: and WHEREAS, The Synod in convention in 1959 adopted a resolu- tion granting eligibility for synodical membership to directors of music and education while simultaneously limiting member- ship to those who “are eligible for a call in any one of our schools” (1959 Convention Proceedings. pp. 309-10): therefore be it Resolved. That eligibility for membership in the Synod be clarified by amending Article V of the Synod’s Constitution to read as follows: Membership in the Synod is held and may be acquired by congregations and ministers of religion (pastors. teachers, deaconesses, directors of Christian education, and other ministers approved from time to time by the Synod in convention) of the Evangelical Lutheran Church who confess and accept the con- fessional basis of Article II. and be it further Resolved. That the Commission on Constitutional Matters be instructed to modify the terminology in other articles of the Constitution and all Bylaws to bring them into agreement with this constitutional amendment: and be it finally Resolved. That the Commission on Constitutional Matters consider revision of the regulations in the Bylaws for member- ship on synodical boards and commissions so as to include all ministers and ministries approved by the Synod. Faculty Concordia Teachers College Seward, Nebr. W. Th. Janzow, President James Nelesen, Secretary 3-20 To Study Membership Classifications WHEREAS, The professional roster of the Synod has grown in both number and variety of ministries: and WHEREAS. The Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod do not reflect this variety in the area of membership. representation at conventions, and voting rights: and WHEREAS. The directors of Christian education of the Central Illinois District have petitioned the District Board of Directors to bring their concerns about representation of directors of Christian education to the synodical convention: and WHEREAS, Other groups of ministers in the Synod could have similar concerns: therefore be it Resolved. That the Anaheim convention of the Synod estab- lish a committee to study the membership, representation, and franchise of the various ministries in the Synod and give its report together with any proposed revisions of the Constitu- tion and Bylaws to the 1977 synodical convention. Board of Directors Central Illinois District Frederick A. Skov. Secretary 3-21 To Define Terms “Clergy,” ‘Ministers of Christian Education,” and “Teachers” WHEREAS. The inclusion of all teachers on the “clergy” roster of the Synod involves almost insurmountable administra- tive difficulties: and WHEREAS. The vagueness of our use of the term “clergy roster of the Synod” and “ministers of religion” has created difficulties with rulings of the Internal Revenue Service and will continue to create such difficulties: and WHEREAS. The intention of the Constitution of the Synod and the founders was not to create a professional organization of church workers but rather an association of congregations: and WHEREAS, There is an urgent need to determine what is meant by terms such as “clergy,” ‘ministers of Christian educa- tion, and “pastoral ministry”: and WHEREAS. There is a distinct difference in the requirements and qualifications of these various offices in the church: there- fore be it Resolved. That the President of the Synod appoint a commit- tee from the Council of Presidents to study the entire matter of the ‘roster of the Synod”: and be it further Resolved. That the chairman of this committee shall be the First Vice-President of the Synod: and be it further Resolved. That this committee shall consider such questions as: Do all graduates of teacher training colleges qualify in the same way as ‘ministers of religion’? Should additional requirements, such as 1 year of postgrad- uate work in religion be required of anyone who is listed as a “minister of religion” or as a ‘‘minister of Christian education” in a congregation? Should the Synod list as ‘ministers of religion” only those persons who have been ordained to the pastoral ministry? Board of Directors Montana District Paul Blunck, Secretary 5-22 To Make Better Provisions for Signing Synod's Constitution WHEREAS. It has often been pointed out that the require- ment to sign the Synod’s Constitution in open session creates difficulty and at times confusion as to membership status: and WHEREAS. A task force dealing with these and related matters has recommended to the Commission on Constitutional Matters that better provisions be made for signing the Synod’s Constitution: therefore be it Resolved. That Bylaw 1.03 be amended as follows: PRESENT WORDING 1.03 Signing Constitution All members of the Synod shall sign the Constitu- tion of the Synod in open session at the first convention of the District which they attend. The duly elected lay delegate of... PROPOSED WORDING 1.03 Signing Constitution All individual applicants for membership in the