LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 10–12, 2012, Page 11

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Bylaw 13.1: Since this bylaw speaks of the activities of the visitation circuit, this should be
clarified and the reference to Synod Bylaw 3.1.2 removed (which speaks of electoral circuits),
leaving Bylaw section 5.1 as the proper reference for the description of a visitation circuit.
Bylaw 13.3: This bylaw’s description of the functions of circuit forums will need to be expanded
to include the election of circuit counselors, the discussion and forwarding of triennial mission
and ministry emphases, and reference to the content of Synod Bylaws 5.3.1, 5.3.4, and 5.3.5.
Bylaw 15.1.1: This bylaw should note that the approval of amendments to the district Bylaws by
the Synod’s Commission on Constitutional Matters must be obtained prior to district convention
action.

96. Central Illinois District Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws Review (11-2623)
With a November 23, 2011 email, the president of the Central Illinois District submitted for commission
approval his district’s official documents along with proposed amendments. Following careful review, the
commission recommended the following changes to the district’s Articles of Incorporation.
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Article III A: The commission suggests that the district consider patterning this paragraph more
closely to Article III of the Synod’s Articles of Incorporation (2010 Handbook, p. 207).
Article III B, second paragraph: The commission recommends adding the words “multiplecongregation” before “parish” in the first line and the words “or multiple-congregation parish” at
the end of the sentence. The commission is advocating regular use of this terminology to promote
clarity in the Synod regarding delegate representation.
Article III C: Rather than requiring change to the district’s Articles of Incorporation each time
the Synod adds advisory members, the district may wish instead to provide a reference to the
listing provided in Synod Constitution Art. V B.

In the section of the submitted documents referring to the Constitution of the Synod as the constitution of
the district, the commission made the following recommendation.
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Paragraph 1: The first sentence should be changed to more accurately reflect the language of
Synod Bylaw 1.3.2 which speaks of a district, not as a “division,” but as a “component part” of
the Synod.

Upon review of the Bylaws of the district and proposed amendments, the commission made the following
recommendations.
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Bylaw 1.03: This bylaw is unclear regarding congregations with more than one pastor. In
addition, the pastor’s as well as the lay delegate’s registration credentials must be signed by two
of the congregation’s officers (Synod Bylaw 4.2.2 [a]).
Bylaw 2.02: The “Explanation of Terms” section should be reconsidered in favor of terminology
used by the Synod and defined by its Constitution and Bylaws. As the paragraph stands, the
listing provided under “pastor” is not all-inclusive of the Synod’s ordained ministers, and the
definition of the term “layman” is too limiting per its usage by the Synod.
Bylaw 2.05, paragraph b: This paragraph does not take into account that the filling of circuit
counselor vacancies by the district president does not require the approval of the district board of
directors (Synod Bylaw 5.2.2.1).
Bylaw 2.09: This paragraph should reference Constitution Art. XII and Bylaw section 4.4 of the
Synod, since the list provided in this bylaw is not an exhaustive list of the district president’s
duties. In addition, paragraph d should note that the district president is responsible for carrying
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