LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 3-4, 2011, Page 6

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Bylaw 2.88, section F, paragraph d: While the executive director may choose to gather annual
district and congregational statistics, this information is transmitted directly to the Synod by the
congregations of the Synod.
Bylaw 2.91: The reference in the first sentence to “two (2) pastors” is unclear as to whether parish
pastors are intended or ordained ministers in general.
Bylaw 2.93: The phrase at the end of the first sentence “except for the Office of President and
Vice-President” should also include “circuit counselors,” as the latter are now to be selected by
circuit forums and reported to the district secretary.
Bylaw 2.97, paragraph a, subparagraph1: This sentence is unclear regarding its intent. Is the
intent that only parish pastors may be nominated? Is the intent that congregations may nominate
an individual for only their own region or one for each region? It should also be noted that
candidates are to be nominated from the clergy roster of the Synod (Synod Bylaw 4.3.1) and not
only from the region in question.
Bylaw 3.01, paragraph a: A better reference than Article III 3 of the Synod’s Constitution would
be Bylaws 2.5.2 and 2.5.3.
Bylaws 3.01, 3.07, 3.09, and title of section III: The use of the word “teachers” is unclear as to
whether its intention is teachers only or “commissioned ministers.”
Bylaw 5.05, subparagraph 4: This sentence is speaking of “members of member congregations of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.” “Synod members” are its congregations and rostered
church workers. In subparagraph 8: The reference to the Synod’s Board for Human Care should
be changed to “the Synod’s Board for National Mission and Board for International Mission.”
Bylaw 9.03: This paragraph as it stands is problematic regarding its timing, as there is no
opportunity provided for taking the Synod’s triennial mission and ministry emphases into
consideration in developing the district’s work plan. Districts will need sufficient meetings to
accomplish this. The same concern (failure to take into consideration the Synod’s mission and
ministry emphases) also exists under Bylaws 9.05 and 9.07.
Bylaw 10.02.1: This paragraph is unclear regarding the role of the district secretary, i.e., is he, as
a voting member of this committee, to be numbered as one of the two pastor members of the
committee stipulated in the first sentence or does he serve in addition to the two mentioned
pastors.
Bylaw 10.02.3, paragraph 1: Mention must be made in the first phrase of the sentence that it is the
duty of the committee to review “new” as well as revised constitutions and bylaws of the
congregations of the district. In paragraph 3, mention should also be made of Synod’s
requirement that any suggested changes be submitted to the Synod’s Commission on
Constitutional Matters for review.
Bylaw 11.03, paragraphs1 and 2: The Synod’s auxiliaries are voluntary arms of the Synod to aid
the Synod in extending the mission and ministry of the Synod (Synod Bylaw 6.1.1). Use of
language (as in paragraph 3) that encourages district entities to invite the participation of the
auxiliaries will better reflect this relationship.
Bylaw 12.01, paragraph 1: “Not in conflict with” rather than “not contrary to” in subparagraph A
will better reflect the usage of the Synod (see Synod Bylaw 7.1.1 [c]). Subparagraph D must also
include submission of proposed amendments to the Commission on Constitutional Matters prior
to presentation to the district convention, clarifying also that any subsequent changes (floor
amendments) made by the convention become effective only after approval by the commission
(Bylaw 4.1.1.2 [b]). Paragraph 2 must also include the approval by the Commission on
Constitutional Matters when it speaks of approval by the district board of directors.

The commission recommends that the district consistently use the words “Synod Bylaw” when Synod
bylaws are being referenced, instead of “SHB” or other terminology. The commission will again provide
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