LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 3-4, 2011, Page 4

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Article V, paragraph 1, subparagraph c: The commission recommends clarifying the final
sentence of the paragraph by stating: “Resolutions in response to reports and overtures for
consideration by the convention….”
Article VI: This paragraph should include mention of the requirement that amendments to the
district Bylaws be submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters prior to consideration
by the district convention or use by the district. The second sentence should therefore read: “They
shall be presented to the Commission on Constitutional Matters of the Synod in advance of the
convention for review and approval. Any subsequent changes by the convention shall become
effective only after approval by the commission (Bylaw 4.1.1.2 [b]).”
Appendix D: Although the title given is “District Conferences,” the last two paragraphs refer to
“district conventions” and warrant a separate title.
Appendix E, third and fourth paragraphs: Synod Bylaw 3.12.3.5 assigns the nominations
committee organizational responsibilities to the secretary.
Appendix E: A time slot would be helpful to remind of the need for circuit forums (in advance of
the deadline for submission of convention business) to select circuit counselors, advocate mission
and ministry emphases, and submit overtures to the district convention.
Appendix E: The third paragraph under “8 Months Prior” should not include “circuit counselors”
in connection with the nominating ballot, as circuit counselor nominations are to be submitted by
congregations directly to their circuit counselors for consideration by the circuit forum.
Appendix E: It would be well to include mention of the added responsibility of convention
delegates to participate directly in the election of the President of the Synod prior to the next
Synod convention.
Appendix E: The eleventh paragraph under “2 Weeks Prior” may be deleted, since the new
method of selecting circuit counselors will not require caucuses during the convention.
Appendix E: The provision for providing an honorarium to the Synod President or his
representative is unnecessary, as this is an official function of the President.
Appendix E: The third paragraph under “1 Week Afterward” calling for a review by the
Commission on Constitutional Matters is either too late (if referring to amendments proposed in
advance of the convention, which are to be reviewed by the commission prior to the convention)
or should refer to any additional amendments made from the floor of the convention not yet
reviewed by the commission, which become effective only after approval by the commission
(Synod Bylaw 4.1.1.2 [b]).
Under Appendix F: The commission recommends referencing the Synod Bylaws as the primary
source for job descriptions of the officers.
Under Appendix F: The Lutheran Church Extension Fund paragraph should make clear whether
this is the national or a district LCEF.
Under Appendix G: The paragraph describing the responsibilities of the Constitution Review
Committee should be corrected to reflect accurately Synod Bylaws 2.2.1 and 2.3.1.

The commission instructed its secretary to continue to provide copies of its “Frequently Noted Concerns
and Aberrations Document” to assist districts in preparing their documents in a manner that mirrors
grammatical usage in the Handbook and other publications of the Synod.
51. Review of North Dakota District Bylaws (09-2549)
With an e-mailed letter dated August 8, 2011, a member of the North Dakota District’s board of directors
submitted the Bylaws of the district for review. The commission noted that it had already reviewed the
district’s bylaws earlier, at its February 26–28, 2010 meeting, prior to the latest changes, and reminds that
changes to district bylaws are not to be considered effective until finally approved by the commission.
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