LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 21−22, 2007, Page 12

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Opinion: Yes. However, the amendment process must be in accord with Chapter VII of the
Bylaws, “Amendments to Bylaws” (Cf. 2004 Handbook, pp. 202−203).
Question 6: Is any specific process delineated to appoint delegates or representatives to a “special
session” of the Synod?
Opinion: No. Bylaw 3.1.2.2 states that “voting delegates shall serve a three-year term….” The
delegates elected to attend the convention at the beginning of a triennium continue to serve as
needed throughout their three years of service.
Question 7: Do the existing bylaws call for the election of “new” delegates for a special session
of the Synod or do they require the delegates from the “previous” convention to be
the delegates to a special session of the Synod?
Opinion: No, the existing bylaws do not call for the election of new delegates. See the answer to
question #6 above.
Question 8: If circumstances warrant, would it be possible to elect different voting delegates to
the special session?
Opinion: There is no such provision under the current Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.
Question 9: If so, what would the process be?
Opinion: If the convention desired to develop a procedure to elect new voting delegates for a
special session of the Synod, this would require the adoption of the necessary amendments to the
Constitution and/or Bylaws of the Synod.
Question 10: Could that process include the election by district conventions of voting delegates
to the special session?
Opinion: Yes, such an election would be possible if a process were adopted by a convention of
the Synod that would be consistent with the Constitution of the Synod, specifically Articles V,
VIII, and IX, and with all applicable bylaws.
195. Status of “Visiting Faculty” (07-2491)
In a February 2, 2007 E-mailed letter, a professor from one of the Synod’s educational
institutions noted that some members of the faculty on which he serves are termed “visiting
faculty” but have not received “initial level appointments” according to Bylaw 3.8.3.8.2. He
asked a series of questions regarding the responsibilities of such faculty members.
After discussion, the Commission asked the Secretary of the Synod to consult with the executive
director of the Board for University Education before it proceeds with providing a response to the
questions.
196. Vote Needed for Excommunication (07-2492)
A pastor of the Synod in a letter dated April 9, 2007, called into question a paragraph in the
Commission on Constitutional Matters’ Guidelines for a Constitution and Bylaws of a Lutheran
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