LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 1, 2001, Page 10

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219. Inquiry re Delegation of a University President’s Authority (01-2238)
In a September 20, 2001 letter, the Secretary of the Synod responded to a BHE request for an
interpretation of the first paragraph of Bylaw 6.12 and the role of the President of an educational
institution as the “spiritual, academic, and administrative head of the institution.” The Board specifically
asked “if the president of an institution may delegate the responsibility of academic head to a Provost
(chief academic officer), may the president also delegate the role of spiritual head to the campus pastor or
Dean of Theology?” Because the BHE expressed interest in a timely response, the Secretary replied on
the basis of prior CCM opinions.
The Commission reviewed the Secretary’s response and decided to add further clarification. A member of
the Commission was asked to provide a draft to be considered at the Commission’s next meeting.
220. Nature of Secretary’s Responses to Inquiries
During its discussion of the previous item of business the Commission also discussed the role of the
Secretary when answering the many questions he receives as part of the routine business of his office. It
was agreed that his responses should indicate that they are his personal opinion and that, when a formal
opinion is desired, such questions should be submitted to the CCM in writing.
221. Appointment to Commission on Structure
The adoption of Res. 7-01 by the 2001 convention established a permanent Commission on Structure to
“serve the members of the Synod in convention by providing direction for ongoing maintenance and
management of the Handbook” and to “assist the convention in maintaining the Handbook of the Synod
by identifying and recommending modifications to areas of concern in the Handbook and for promotion
of its ease of use, thereby to enable the Synod most effectively to accomplish its mission.” The
membership on the Commission on Structure includes “a voting member of the Commission on
Constitutional Matters selected by that commission who shall serve as an advisory member of the
Commission on Structure.”
After brief discussion, the Commission took the following action:
Resolved, That Walter Tesch, chairman of the Commission on Constitutional Matters,
serve as an advisory member of the Commission on Structure.
222. Questions re Duties of District Presidents Related to Bylaw 2.27 and Dispute Resolution (012239)
A pastor of the Synod, in an October 2, 2001 letter, requested “an interpretation of the duties of a District
President related to his responsibilities in Bylaw 2.27, and also related to the purposes and objectives, and
procedures of the Synodical Dispute Resolution.” Because the request included many pages of
documentation, the Commission agreed to table this matter until its next meeting.
223. Adjournment
Due to technical difficulties with the telephone system and because the hour was late, the meeting was
adjourned with prayer.

Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary

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