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LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 20-21, 2003, Page 15

Source: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (files.lcms.org)

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

Bylaw III F 6 [p. 22]: Election of a member of the Synod’s Committee for Convention
Nominations at alternate conventions is not included in the list.

Bylaw III G 1 k [p. 22]: Should this paragraph be made more specific to clarify whether the
District President may serve vacancies, serve as an assistant pastor, etc.?

Bylaw III G 3 [p. 23]: The ecclesiastical supervision of a District President also includes the
congregations of the District (Synod Constitution Art. XII, 7; Bylaw 4.71 d 1).

Bylaw III G 3 f [p. 23]: Should not the lettering of paragraphs start over with “a.” since this is a
new section, “Vacancy in the District Presidency”?

Bylaw III G 3 f (1) [23]: This paragraph fails to cover what happens if the out-going president
accepts other permanent employment after 150 days but before the end of his one month per year
allowance.

Bylaw III L 2 [p. 27]: Since the appointment of vice-presidents of LCEF are to be ratified by the
Board of Directors, it would be consistent that their termination also be ratified by the Board.

Bylaw IV B [p. 28]: Amendments to District Bylaws should also be submitted to the Commission
on Constitutional Matters prior to presentation to the District convention.

124. Status of District-Trained “Lay Ministers” (02-2322)
A pastor of the Synod in a December 26, 2002 e-mailed letter asked for an opinion on the status of “lay
ministers” who have completed a two-year course of study provided by the District and who have been
commissioned and subsequently called by congregations of the District.
Question:

Can a person who has completed a District program for “lay ministers,” has been
commissioned by the District, has been called by a parish of the District, and has had “the
laying on of hands” be considered a church worker such as a DCE or Lutheran school
teacher, and how does the status of such a person impact her service in the District or as a
participant in conferences or as a delegate to conventions?

Opinion: There is no inherent right to membership in the Synod, and the decision regarding qualification
for a first call and membership in the Synod is according to the terms and at the sole discretion of the
Synod (Bylaw 2.07). Individuals who wish to be members of the Synod as Ministers of Religion—
Commissioned must first be declared qualified according to the provisions of Bylaws 2.09–2.11 and
placed and installed according to Bylaw 2.13.
Until such time as the above requirements are met, membership on the roster of the Synod is not possible.
The participation in localized training or the use of terminology such as “lay minister” or the employment
of some form of commissioning or calling or laying on of hands do not qualify a person for roster status.
Such non-rostered persons are lay persons and are therefore eligible for service on boards or commissions
or as delegates to conventions of District or Synod as lay participants.
Individuals who are interested in membership in the Synod are encouraged to pursue fulfillment of the
requirements for rostered status through the Concordia University System (2001 Res. 7-13A).
125. Implications of District Membership for Board of Directors Membership (02-2323)
A District President in a December 21, 2002 letter asked a series of questions regarding the consequences
of a member of the Board of Directors of the Synod changing District membership to a District in which
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