# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S256 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 256 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 1. 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 performance of their duties they are responsible to the Synod. 2. The Synod at all times has the right to call its officers to account and, if circumstances require it, to remove them from office in ac- cordance with Christian procedure: and WHEREAS, The Presidents named were pleaded with not to violate the Constitution and Bylaws prior to their actions, and since that time have been dealt with in Christian love by the President of the Synod as well as by individuals and congrega- tions, but to no avail: therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention ask the Presidents named to repent of their actions and to make whatever amends can be made: and be it further Resolved, That the Synod remove the Presidents from office who do not comply with the former resolve, said action to take place one month from date of passage of this resolution unless repentance is made and the assurance of amends forthcoming. St. John's Lutheran Church Ellisville, Mo. Kenneth Smith, President Eugene Rusert, Chairman Paul V. Schnelle, Pastor 5-133A To Remove District Presidents from Office WHEREAS, Article VII of the Articles of Incorporation of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod states: “This corporation shall have and make such Bylaws as may be necessary to ac- complish its purpose” (Synodical Handbook. p. 13): and WHEREAS, Bylaw 1.09 a prescribes: “‘The Constitution, By- laws, 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” (Handbook, p. 28): and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod has stated in its Articles of Incorporation, Article II, that one of “the objects of this corporation shall be”: c. To assist and advise congregations, pastors, and teachers affiliated with The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod and to exercise super- vision over such pastors and teachers as to doctrine, practice, and performance of their official duties (Handbook, p. 11); and WHEREAS, The Synod has adopted certain measures and procedures to facilitate such supervision: 1. One of its objects is: ‘‘To establish, build, conduct, and maintain theological seminaries, colleges, academies, schools, and other institutions of learning.” (Handbook. Art. II, p. 11) 2. It has adopted rules and regulations governing eligibility for entry into the pastoral ministry: a. Bylaw 4.09 a: ‘‘The Council of Presidents, acting as the Board of Assignments, shall regularly assign to the grad- uates and available supply students, interns, and vicars of the Synod’s educational institutions . . . the calls and appointments for pastors . .. which congregations, quali- fied associations, and synodical and District boards have sent.” (Handbook. p. 98) b. Bylaw 4.15 a: ‘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: 1. He shall have completed the prescribed courses of study and have received a diploma from one of the Synod’s seminaries. .. . 2. He shall have received en- dorsement by the proper faculty .. . and in every respect have been declared qualified by [it] for the office of the ministry of Word and sacrament in the church. 5. He shall have received and accepted a call extended through the proper channels to assume full-time work in the church” (Handbook, pp. 98--99): and WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.41 states: “Each District President by virtue of his office represents the Synod in his respective terri- tory,” and Bylaw 4.17 states: ‘The District .. . President shall be responsible for the ordination of candidates for the ministry... within his District’ (Handbook, pp. 88, 99): and WHEREAS, A number of District Presidents have officially approved or have tolerated the ordination of men who have not fulfilled the qualifications for ordination to the pastoral ministry of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod: and WHEREAS, These District Presidents have made no move to right this wrong but rather have adamantly defended their action, thus displaying a defiant disregard for one of the funda- mental objects for which the Synod was formed and have thereby set themselves above the Synod: and WHEREAS, Bylaw 2.29 b prescribes that the President of the Synod ‘‘shall exercise executive power when the affairs of the Synod demand it and when he has been expressly invested with such power for such specific purpose” (Handbook, p. 49): and WHEREAS, Article III of the Articles of Incorporation pro- vide: “The power of the corporation shall be lodged with the accredited clergy and lay delegates of the congregations in actual membership with The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod” therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod declare the following Districts to be in violation of the Handbook: Atlantic, Rudolph Ressmeyer: California and Nevada, Paul E. Jacobs; Eastern, Herman Frincke: English, Harold Hecht: Florida-Georgia, L. Lloyd Behnken: Oklahoma, H. Brockhoff: and be it further Resolved, That the Synod declare all District offices of such Districts vacant: and be it finally Resolved, That the Synod place said Districts in trusteeship under the management of the Synod’s Board of Directors, who shall, with the advice and consent of the synodical President, appoint all acting District officers who shall hold office until the next regular convention of the Synod. St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Youngstown, Ohio Charles Shemenske, President Arthur Schiefelbein, Secretary Identical or similar: 5-133B St. Thomas, Rocky River, Ohio (This overture differs from 5-133A as follows: 1. The eighth whereas is omitted: 2. The first resolved lists: Colorado, Waldemar Meyer: Kansas, Arlen Bruus: New England, Robert Riedel: New Jersey, Walter Zeile: Atlantic, R. Ressmeyer: California and Nevada, Paul Jacobs; Eastern, Herman Frincke: English, Harold Hecht: Southern Illinois, Herman Neun- aber: 3. The final resolved reads: “. . . the Synod’s Board of Direc- tors, who shall appoint District Presidents to fill the re- maining presidential terms of the above-mentioned Districts. Phillip B. Giessler 5-134 To Deal with President Riedel WHEREAS, New England District President Robert J. Riedel, acting in full knowledge of the Synod’s policy, did contrary to the Bylaws authorize the ordination and installation of Thomas Colley on July 21, 1974, as pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Claremont, N.H.; and WHEREAS, Thomas Colley was not properly certified for the pastoral ministry in The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod: therefore be it Resolved, That President Robert J. Riedel be urged to pub- licly apologize to the Synod and declare his intention to follow the Synod’s Bylaws: and be it further Resolved, That if President Riedel does not change his posi- tion by Oct. 15, 1975, he be declared removed from office and from the ministry of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. Christ Lutheran Church Troy, N.H. Edwin G. Mattson, President Kenneth Luopa, Secretary Douglas May, Pastor