# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1944_S203
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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x Constitutional Matters _ 208.

:, Report of Special Committee re Article VI .
. (Memorial 501) - ,
In 1941 a memorial (No. 503) was submitted to Synod at. its
#ession in Fort Wayne for the purpose of “establishing the true
aning of Article VII of Synod’s Constitution,” especially giving

‘ani interpretation of the words that Synod is “an advisory body.”
This matter was turned over to a committee, which herewith |
respectfully submits the following report: ,

. It is self-evident that any person or group of persons who
apply for, and are received into, membership of any organization
thereby have declared their willingness to abide. by the constitu-
«tion. and by-laws of that organization. That is in the very nature
of the case. Otherwise an organization and affiliation therewith
- would serve no real purpose. .
Therefore the fact that Synod states in its Constitution that
» it is “an advisory body” cannot be interpreted to mean that an
‘individual or a congregation, being a member of Synod and having -
voluntarily subscribed to its Constitution and By-Laws, is not in
‘duty bound to respect these or any rules and regulations or reso-
lutions that Synod in’a democratic way, through the. elected repre-
sentatives of the congregations, may make or pass in any of its
lawful sessions or those of its District conventions. It cannot. be
- interpreted to mean that such resolutions have no binding force;

they have, unless they are not in accordance with the Word of

God or are “inexpedient as far as the condition of a congregation

is concerned.” ,
Bo Article VII of Synod’s Constitution says that Synod is “an
©. advisory body” “with respect to the individual congregation’s right
of self-government” concerning its own internal affairs. ,
; It is certainly understood: that the synodical Districts, being -
‘created by Synod to carry out its work.in their respective territory,
are held to carry out synodical resolutions: affecting them. Over
against them Synod is not merely “an advisory body.”

M.F. KretzMann Txeo. Eckuart A. W. Huce
A, M. REHWINKEL J.H. C, Frrrz ,

“In this connection Committee 6 had considered also Me-
morial 510. ; "

Changing Constitution, Art. VI. By-Laws VI, C. 2 °
_ (Memorial 510) ‘

The undersigned congregation herewith asks that Article VII,
on the “Relation of Synod to Its Members,” be re-worded to state

expressly: