LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 3-4, 2011, Page 5

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Upon its latest review, the commission recommends that the following changes be given serious
consideration prior to submission to the district’s 2012 convention.
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Bylaw 1.02, paragraph a: The word “individuals” and subsequent parenthetical comment should
be replaced with “ordained and commissioned ministers.” The paragraph should also have added
to the references at the end of the sentence the words “and pertinent bylaws.”
Bylaw 1.02, paragraph b: The commission recommends adding the final parenthetical comment
“(See also Synod Bylaw 1.3.4).” The bylaw was strengthened by the Synod’s 2010 convention.
Bylaw 1.05: The paragraph should be expanded to include verbiage from Synod Bylaw 1.3.4, the
content of which was amended by the 2010 Synod convention to articulate more specifically the
expectations of membership in the Synod.
Bylaw 1.07: The duties of advisory members are essentially the same as those of members
already articulated in Bylaw 1.05. This paragraph, which speaks of convention attendance, would
better be placed under convention-related matters, such as district Bylaw 1.28.
Bylaw 1.09, paragraph a: The reference in the first line to “all other rules and regulations” should
be changed to “the resolutions” of the Synod and district. In addition, the reference in brackets at
the end of paragraph d is unclear and should make clear reference to “Constitution, Art. VII 2.”
Bylaw 2.01: Mention should be made, perhaps under paragraph e, of the provision added by the
2010 Synod convention to Synod Bylaw 4.4.2, requiring the president of the district to encourage
its congregations and schools “to embrace the mission and ministry emphases” adopted by
national conventions for each triennium.
Bylaw 2.02: This paragraph should also include circuit counselors in its listing of the officers of
the district (see Synod Bylaw 4.3.1).
Bylaw 2.11: The first sentence should specifically reference Synod Bylaw section 4.4. In
paragraph a: The deletion of the words “elected and appointed” (unnecessary) would resolve the
concern that the district apparently has no appointed officers at this time. In paragraph b: The
references to “pastors and teachers” should be changed to “ordained and commissioned
ministers” given the obvious intention that the paragraph pertain to more than active parish
pastors and classroom teachers. In paragraph c: The reference to “District members” should read
“the district and its members.” In paragraph i: The first sentence would better reflect the Synod’s
practice by reading, “Maintain the official roster of ordained and commissioned ministers for
publication in The Lutheran Annual….”
Bylaw 2.21, paragraph a: The references to “a pastor” are unclear as to whether they mean an
“ordained minister” or a “parish pastor”—either could be intended without further clarification.
In paragraph d: It is unclear whether or not this vice-president is an advisory or a voting member
of the District Planning Council.
Bylaw 2.25: The words in the first line “a vacancy should occur because” should be deleted, since
if the vice-president continues to function, there will be no vacancy.
Bylaw 2.39: This duty must also be in the context of the president’s duty (Constitution, Art. XII 9
d).
Bylaw 2.51: The reference to the Synod Handbook should be clarified to read “[Synod Bylaw
section 5.2]”
Bylaw 2.73, paragraph g: The use of the term “executive committee” does not correspond with
the Synod’s common usage of the term. “Salary Review Committee” or some such title would be
more appropriate. In paragraph h: The list of positions requiring suggested salary schedules
should use the terminology “ordained and commissioned ministers” to cover other kinds of
commissioned ministers who may be utilized by congregations.
Bylaw 2.81, paragraph e: The phrase “jointly and several liable for all expenditures not
authorized” begs clarification.
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