LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 11–13, 2012, Page 16

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The term “pastors” (which is the terminology the Synod uses to refer exclusively to parish
pastors) will need to be changed in both paragraphs (a) and (b) to “ordained ministers” (the term
used by the Synod for ordained ministers in general).
In addition, the words “of the district” and “of the region” in the paragraphs will need to be
changed to “from the clergy roster of the Synod” in keeping with Synod Bylaw 4.3.1.

The commission looks forward to receiving the district’s entire Bylaws along with additional proposed
bylaw changes in advance of the 2015 convention.
138. Texas District Bylaws Review (12-2640)
With an April 25, 2012 email, the president of the Texas District submitted a series of proposed bylaw
amendment resolutions. Upon review of the submitted documents in light of the existing bylaws of the
district, the commission offered the following comments and recommendations (proposed wording
underscored). Since the commission is making a number of recommendations without opportunity for
final approval prior to the district convention, amendments that are adopted by the convention cannot take
effect until final approval has been granted by the commission.
Regarding the resolutions proposing amendments to the Bylaws of the district:
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Resolution 03-01-12: The resolve paragraph will more accurately read: “That the words clergy
and clerical in Article V of the Preamble to the Bylaws of the Texas District be changed to
“pastoral.”
Resolution 03-05-12: Synod Bylaw 3.12.2.1 (a) requires the retention of the words “in writing”
in district Bylaws 1.021 and 1.045. The commission notes, however, that “in writing” can refer to
documentation that is communicated electronically.
Resolution 03-07-12: As written, the resolve paragraph is out of order, as the Synod’s definition
of a parish cannot be changed by a district. That definition is: “Two or more congregations being
served by the same pastor constitute a parish with the right of representation by one lay delegate
and one pastoral delegate” (CCM Opinion 11-2618).
Resolution 03-11-12: The change advocated for this bylaw should also be reflected in the
heading of the Bylaw: “4.025 Availability of Committee Resolutions.”

Regarding the existing Bylaws of the district:
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Preamble to the Bylaws: In preparation for a future convention, the commission advises that the
district give consideration to replacing the existing preamble section with a true preamble which
elaborates on the relationship of the district to the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws and defines
the district’s goals and objectives.
Preamble, Art. III, paragraph 3 C: The commission is interested in knowing whether the
referenced “Commissioned Pastoral Assistant Programs” are equivalent to the Synod’s licensed
deacon program.
Bylaws Article I: This section contains no mention of the election of regents to the Board of
Regents of Concordia University Texas by the Texas District (Synod Bylaw 3.10.5.2 [2]).
Bylaw 1.015, paragraph c: This sentence will require a change to read: “Doubtful cases shall be
decided by the President of the Synod.”
Bylaw 1.043, paragraph a: This paragraph requires amendment in light of Synod Bylaw 4.3.1:
“Each voting congregation shall be entitled to nominate for its area (A, B, C, and D) two ordained
ministers for vice-president from the clergy roster of the Synod.
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