LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 8, 2003, Page 3

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Handbook Article V, Sec. 11.05 (p. 17): When possible, references to specific Constitution and
Bylaw sections of the Synod’s Handbook in paragraph G would be helpful.

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Handbook Article V, Sec. 11.05 (p. 17): In describing the duties of the Committee on
Congregation Constitutions, paragraphs J, K, and L have the committee submitting
recommendations to the Board of Directors. According to Synod Bylaw 2.03 b, the committee
advises and the District President does the recommending.

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Handbook, Article V, Sec. 11.06 (p. 17): Unless the District wishes to specifically include parish
pastors on this committee, the use of “ordained minister” terminology would be more clear and
consistent than the term “pastor(s).” In the Synod’s Handbook, the term “pastor” is reserved for
those instances intended to refer to parish pastors.

135. Iowa District West Bylaws (03-2336)
In a February 22, 2003 e-mailed letter, the Secretary of Iowa District West submitted revisions to the
Handbook of the District and requested the Commission’s review before submission to his District’s
convention.
After review of the proposed changes, the Commission calls attention to the following:
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Bylaw 10.11: The current bylaw states that conferences consist of “all active and retired ordained
ministers of the District.” Synod Bylaw 5.61 b expects that all ordained ministers on the District
rosters will attend official conferences. Since the District’s bylaw is already being amended,
another amendment is in order to replace “retired” with “inactive,” which category includes not
only emeritus but also candidate and non-candidate ordained ministers and satisfies the
requirements of the Synod’s bylaw.

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Bylaw 10.13: Proposed wording includes the category of “retired ordained ministers.” According
to current usage of terms, a pastor can be “retired” and still accept a call, whereby his status
becomes “active.” The District may wish to consider using the term “emeritus” as in Synod
Bylaw 2.17 if the pastors described in the bylaw are those whom the District wishes to receive the
benefits described in this paragraph.

136. Minnesota South District Bylaws (03-2341)
In a February 26, 2003 letter, the President of the Minnesota South District submitted District bylaw
changes proposed by the District Board of Directors to the Commission for review and approval.
After review of the proposed changes, the Commission calls attention to the following:
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The heading and wording of proposed Bylaw 15.00 should be improved to better reflect the
wording of Synod Constitution Article XII 2 and Bylaw 4.07 b. The primary documents for a
District are the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. A District may adopt additional bylaws,
regulations, and resolutions that it deems necessary or expedient, but these cannot conflict with
the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod. The wording being proposed for the Minnesota South
District appears to make the District Handbook the primary document by stating that the Synod’s
Constitution and Bylaws govern in those areas where the District Handbook is silent.

137. Eastern District Bylaws (03-2343)
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