LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 30–31, 2010, Page 2

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be affected by whether related constitutional changes were adopted by the convention, the final
version of affected bylaws to reflect any such changes.
Bylaws 1.5.5.1 and Bylaw section 3.8: After extensive discussion of the relationship of the new
mission boards to mission offices, mission executive directors, and the Chief Mission Officer
(new Bylaw section 3.8), the commission concluded that while the Chief Mission Officer
determines the need for any executive directors, it is the responsibility of the mission boards to
fill such positions according to current Bylaw 1.5.5.1.
Bylaw 2.5.3: The commission approved adding the wording “(or those holding positions
comparable to commissioned ministers)” after “(3) commissioned ministers” in the new language
adopted by the convention for current Bylaw 2.5.3.
Bylaw sections 2.14, 2.15, and 2.17: The commission approved modifications to current Bylaw
sections 2.14, 2.15, and 2.17 in addition to those specifically adopted by the convention, this to
accomplish what was intended by the adoption of Res. 7-04A. The commission clarified that the
hearing facilitator is not to be considered a member of the panels.
New Bylaw 3.2.1.1: Noting the pertinent resolutions and the need to honor the content of current
Bylaw section 3.2 as announced in its heading, the commission agreed to suggest to the
Commission on Handbook that a new Bylaw 3.2.1.1 be created to list the three appointed officers
included in Bylaw section 3.4.
Bylaw 3.3.4.1: The commission determined that this new bylaw as adopted by the convention,
listing the members of the Board of Directors, would need to be changed to include the Secretary
of the Synod as a voting member of the board. It also clarified that the Chief Financial Officer
continues to serve as a non-voting member of the board under its old composition, and that the
requirement that “[n]o more than one member from each category and no more than two
members total may be elected from any one district” is to continue to be understood not to
include the President and Secretary, as is the current practice.
Bylaw 3.6.5.2.1: Following the rubric of most logical replacement when determining how duties
associated with former boards should be carried on within the new structure, the commission
determined that the logical replacement for the chairman of the former Board for District and
Congregational Services on the Board of Trustees of the LCMS Foundation (current Bylaw
3.6.5.2.1) will be the chairman of the Board for National Mission.
Bylaw 3.12.2.3: The commission noted the need for the inclusion in new Bylaw 3.12.2.3 the
following additional language proposed by Floor Committee 8 to resolve situations in which one
or both delegates to the prior district convention are no longer available to participate in the
balloting for President of the Synod that will precede future national conventions, that language
to read: “If one or both delegates are unavailable, congregations shall be provided opportunity to
select substitute voters. The Secretary shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors of the
Synod, obtain the assistance necessary to accomplish the task.”

After concluding its review of the new handbook draft, the commission continued its discussion of
ramifications of the convention’s actions for (1) transitioning to the new national office operations
structure, (2) the role of the new mission boards, (3) the need for conceptual change from program to
policy boards, (4) the role of the Council of Presidents in the new structure, (5) the function of the new
mission boards, and (6) the expanded role of the districts, visitation circuits, circuit forums, and
convocations. The commission gave consideration and offered input to a diagram intended to provide
assistance to the new administration of the Synod for carrying out its responsibilities for transition to the
new structure.

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