LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 6–7, 2008, Page 5

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F. Policies of the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support (08-2518)

Upon review of the policy manual submitted by the Commission on Ministerial Growth and
Support in light of the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions, the commission noted the
following concerns to be brought to the commission’s attention:


Under policy 2.4.7, the policy to meet only three times each year contradicts Bylaw 1.5.3
which requires agencies of the Synod to meet at least quarterly unless otherwise
stipulated in the Bylaws. If the commission intends to meet only three times in a year, the
need for the granting of an exception by the President of the Synod on an annual basis
should also be noted.



Under policy 3.5.1, mention should also be made of human resources policies of the
Synod as provided by the Board of Directors (Bylaw 1.5.5).



Under policy 4.3.1.2, it is assumed that what is intended are “defined and accurate
position descriptions for each staff member.”

42. Concordia, Ann Arbor Bylaws (07-2509)
At its April 2008 meeting, the commission asked the Secretary of the Synod to contact the Board of
Directors and the executive director of the Board for University Education regarding plans to address the
issue of the removal of board members. At that time, Concordia, Ann Arbor was informed, as part of the
review process of its proposed Bylaws, that the commission would be holding in abeyance its comments
regarding its proposed bylaws addressing this subject.
Secretary Raymond Hartwig reported to the commission regarding his contacts with the Board of
Directors and the executive director of the Board for University Education. After discussion, the Secretary
was asked to write to Concordia, Ann Arbor directing that the provision in its proposed bylaws regarding
the removal of board members exceeds current provisions in the Synod’s Bylaws and therefore should be
deleted until such time as the Synod has opportunity to address the subject on behalf of the entire Synod.
He was also asked to forward this matter to the Commission on Structure for its attention and to send
letters to any other agencies that have board removal measures in their policies or bylaws, asking that they
also delete such provisions until such time as the Synod has had opportunity to address the subject on
behalf of the entire Synod.
43. Wyoming District Bylaws (07-2510)
At its November 2007 meeting, the commission asked the Secretary to request from the Wyoming
District a complete copy of the district’s Bylaws to facilitate its review of proposed changes. The
requested document having been received, the commission reviewed the Wyoming District Bylaws as
well as proposed changes to the Bylaws in light of the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod,
and calls the following to the district’s attention:


Under 3.21 (also 3.27, 3.31), the use of the term “circuit visitor” is foreign to the Handbook of the
Synod. The commission advises the use of the term “circuit counselor,” perhaps adding the term
“circuit visitor” parenthetically after each use since this is an important practice in the Wyoming
District.



Under 3.27, it would be helpful if commission names in paragraphs b and c corresponded to the
names given under 3.40.
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