# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S250 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 250 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS To Censure Presidents Who Have Interfered in Placement Process WHEREAS, One of the objects of the Synod is ‘tthe endeavor to bring about the largest possible uniformity in church practice, church customs, and, in general, congregational affairs” (Con- stitution, Art. III 5); and WHEREAS, One of the conditions for acquiring and holding membership in the Synod is “regular call of pastors and teachers and regular election of lay delegates by the congregations...” (Constitution, Art. VI 3): and WHEREAS, The Synod in convention assembled ‘Denver Res. 5-23 of 1969) has defined a “regular call" as one “extended in conformity with the procedures adopted by the Synod as set forth in the Handbook’: and WHEREAS, The officers of the Synod must assume only such rights as have been expressly conferred upon them by the Synod, and in everything pertaining to their rights and the per- formance of their duties they are responsible to the Synod” (Constitution, Art. XI, 1): and WHEREAS, ‘The Districts are independent in the adminis- tration of affairs which concern their District only. it being understood, however, that such administration shall always serve the interests of the Synod’ (Constitution, Art. XII B 12): and WHEREAS, Every member of the Synod is obligated diligently and earnestly to promote the purposes of the synodical organiza- tion by word and deed | Bylaw 1.05): and WHEREAS, ‘‘The Constitution, Bylaws, and all other rules and regulations of the Synod apply to all members of the Synod, i.e., to all congregations, pastors, professors, and teachers” (Bylaw 1.09 a): and WHEREAS, ‘The Synod is not merely an advisory body in relation to a District. A District is the Synod itself performing the functions of the Synod. Resolutions of the Synod are binding on the Districts” (Bylaw 3.07 a): and WHEREAS, “The Constitution of the Synod is also the constitu- tion of each District (Bylaw 3.07 b): and WHEREAS, (a) Any candidate for the office of pastor ‘‘shall have completed the prescribed courses of study and have received a diploma from one of the Synod’s seminaries" and (b) any candidate for the office of pastor “shall have received endorsement by the proper faculty or the Committee on Col- loquies and in every respect have been declared qualified by them for the office of the ministry of Word and sacrament in the church” (Bylaw 4.15): and WHEREAS, Only regular students who are graduates of an authorized synodical institution declared qualified for placement shall be assigned by the Council of Presidents and ‘‘students who have not completed their program of studies at the Synod’s educational institutions shall not be eligible for temporary or permanent engagement by congregations or other agencies within the Synod without the consent and approval of the respective faculty and District President” (Bylaw 6.163 a, b, d.): therefore be it Resolved. That the Synod reaffirm the provisions of the Con- stitution and Bylaws pertaining to placement of ministers: and be it further Resolved. That the Synod remind the Council of Presidents of its responsibilities relative to placement of ministers and further remind them they are not to interfere with duties and responsibilities assigned to others: and be it finally Resolved. That the Synod censure and reprimand all! such District Presidents as have ordained, participated in the ordina- tion of, or tolerated the ordination of Seminex graduates and request that they in all love fulfill their duties or resign. Board of Control Concordia Seminary St. Louis, Mo. Ralph Bohlmann, Acting President 5-116 To Deal with District Presidents Approving Ordination of Candidates Not Properly Certified WHEREAS, By tradition and definition a District of the Synod is the Synod itself at work in a given geographical area: and WHEREAS, Therefore, the office of District President exists to serve as an extension of the office of the President of the Synod: and WHEREAS, Under this policy District Presidents were as- sistants to the President of the Synod and were constitutionally required to carry out a part of the duties of the President within the confines of their respective District, such as approving the ordination of candidates who have been certified by one of the two seminaries of the Synod: and WHEREAS, Unilateral action of any District President contrary to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod is an infraction of the solemn commitment made at the installation of such high officers: and WHEREAS. Such unilateral action on the part of any District President injures this unity of faith and impairs the unified witness of the Synod: therefore be it Resolved. That The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod in convention assembled review the performance of those District Presidents who have caused dissension and division in the Synod by commissioning or ordaining, or by whatsoever term the rite may be designated through which men are appointed and confirmed into any part of the office of the Word in the church, of men who were not certified as qualified for such office by either of the two seminary faculties: and be it further Resolved. To urge the President of the Synod to deal pasto- rally with these individuals and if need be discipline them. Faculty Concordia Theological Seminary Springfield, Ill. Robert Preus, President d-117A To Ask District Presidents to Uphold Constitutional Laws Covering Ordination WHEREAS, The directives contained in the Constitution and Bylaws of The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod carry with them a sacred trust, the neglect or violation of which will under- mine and ultimately bring about the dissolution of the Synod: and WHEREAS, In accepting their respective office, District Presi- dents are conscience bound to use every means in their com- mand to see to it that these responsibilities are not neglected or violated: and WHEREAS, The representatives of the congregations of the Synod have by electing them to office, thereby imposed upon the President and the District Presidents of the Synod the obligation to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws: and WHEREAS, They therefore not only have a moral obligation to the members of the Synod but are also bound to them ona contractual basis, a breach of which can invoke the sanctions prescribed by the Synod in Article XIII of its Constitution: and WHEREAS, “District Presidents shall—a. See to it that all resolutions of the Synod which concern the Districts are made known to the Districts and are carried out by them” (Constitu- tion, Art. XII, 9.): and WHEREAS, The Bylaws of the Synod, which are established by resolutions of the Synod, set forth the manner in which candidates are assigned to the Districts: and WHEREAS, ‘‘A candidate for the office of the pastoral ministry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod may be ordained when the following prerequisites have been met: 2. He shall