# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S251 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 251 have received endorsement by the proper faculty or the Com- mittee on Colloquies 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 a); and WHEREAS, District Presidents pledge to “endeavor faithfully to perform all the duties of such offices as laid down in the Con- stitution and Bylaws” (Formulary of Induction, The Lutheran Agenda, p. 196); therefore be it Resolved, That those who have violated this trust promise to do all in their power to encourage the men who have been or- dained without synodical endorsement to immediately seek to be certified by the proper faculty, so that this grave offense to the members of the Synod may be removed: and be it further Resolved, That failing to do this, they resign their office, so that others who pledge themselves to the aforementioned obliga- tions are given the opportunity to restore order in the Synod. Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Holdrege, Nebr. Robert A. Ide, President Darrel D. Maaske, Secretary Identical or similar: 5-117B to 5-117D St. John, Truman, Minn. A. H. Drevlow Gethsemane, Rochster, Mich. Elmer Grund Hope, Chicago, IIl. H. T. Wians 5-118 To Admonish District Presidents to Comply WHEREAS, Some District Presidents have usurped authority beyond their constitutional rights by endorsing Seminex candi- dates and by lending aid and comfort to the ELIM organization: and WHEREAS, This action violates their oath of office, scandalizes the church, and creates no end of confusion, dissension, and heartache: therefore be it Resolved, That these District Presidents be admonished to mend their ways and discharge their duties faithfully, particu- larly as the guardians of pure doctrine and practice, or to relinquish their office if they cannot comply. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cornelius, Oreg. Leonard Muhly, President Gary L. Mrosko, Secretary Alfred L. Enders, Pastor 5S-119A To Expect District Officials to Abide by Synodical Constitution WHEREAS, Synodical Bylaw 3.07 a describes a District as ‘the Synod itself performing the functions of the Synod,” and says that ‘‘resolutions of the Synod are binding on the Districts”: and _ WHEREAS, Synodical Bylaw 3.07 b says that Bylaws, regula- tions, and resolutions of the Districts shall not conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod: and WHEREAS, Some Districts and District officials have seen fit to ignore the will of the Synod expressed in Bylaws and resolu- tions in respect to the ordination of men not certified by syn- odical schools; therefore be it Resolved, That District officials should abide by synodical Bylaws and resolutions or in all honesty give up their District offices. Trinity Lutheran Church Scarsdale, N. Y. George VanCleave, President Robert Palmer-Smith, Secretary Identical or similar: 5-119B to 5-119D Our Redeemer, Cushing, Okla. Emmanuel, Kingfisher, Okla. St. John’s, Kildare, Okla. Michael Holsten V.H. Mickow Theo. Knepper 5-120A To Deal with District Presidents Who Have Authorized Illegal Ordinations of Seminex Students WHEREAS, A number of District Presidents in open violation of the Constitution of the LCMS have ordained Seminex gradu- ates in their Districts; and WHEREAS, The Constitution and Bylaws of the LCMS are very clear concerning the proper procedure that is to be fol- lowed in ordaining pastors in our Synod: and WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has made a clear ruling that upholds the Constitution and Bylaws, at the same time rejecting the notion that Seminex is a ‘‘special case’’; therefore be it Resolved. That all District Presidents who have authorized or have participated in the ordination of Seminex graduates be required to withdraw their support of any illegal ordinations and to publicly admonish all other pastors and congregations in their Districts who likewise support the same; and be it further Resolved, That those District Presidents who refuse to comply with this resolution be asked to resign their office: and be it finally Resolved. That if they refuse to resign, the synodical Presi- dent through the appropriate boards take the necessary action to remove them from office. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Crookston, Minn. David L. Anderson, Pastor Leon Heldstab, Secretary Identical or similar: ‘5-120B Redeemer, Warsaw, Ind. John Ricker 5-121 To Deal with District Presidents Who Violate Constitution and Bylaws WHEREAS, The Handbook of the LCMS states: “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” (3.07 a): and WHEREAS, The Handbook states: “Jurisdiction with respect to everything which is administered by or for the entire Synod resides in the Synod itself, including . . . ordination and installa- tion of clergymen and teachers who apply for membership in the Synod” (3.07 e); and WHEREAS, The Handbook states: ‘‘Each District President by virtue of his office represents the Synod in his respective terri- tory” (3.41): and WHEREAS, Each District president as he is inducted into service states that he will endeavor faithfully to perform all the duties of his office not only in accord with the doctrines of Holy Writ and the Confessions but also as laid down in the Constitu- tion and Bylaws of the LCMS: and WHEREAS, The Handbook states: ‘““The commission [Commis- sion on Constitutional Matters] shall interpret the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions upon the request of a member ... official, board, commission, or agency of Synod. An opinion rendered by the commission shall be binding on the question decided unless and until it is overruled by a synodical convention” (2.107 e): and