LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 10–12, 2012, Page 16

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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Although these dispute resolution and expulsion processes do not speak specifically to the circumstance
wherein a district president so chosen to serve may cease to be a district president prior to the final
resolution of the matter, the right to have a district president chosen by the individual in the process
remains inviolate. Where a district president so chosen ceases to be in that office, the individual who
selected him still has the right to have a district president of his/her selection serving in this regard and
has the right make a replacement selection, who would serve to the conclusion of the process.
158. District Failure to Elect Member of Committee for Convention Nominations (12-2653)
On July 19, 2012, the Secretary of the Synod submitted a question to the Commission on Constitutional
Matters with this background: Bylaws 3.12.3.1–3.12.3.3 provide for the election of a Committee for
Convention Nominations prior to conventions of the Synod. Districts are required to elect members of the
nominations committee (and alternates) according to the schedule provided by these bylaws, using the
“regular election procedures at the district convention.”
Question: If a district fails to elect a member of the Synod’s Committee for Convention Nominations
while its convention is in session, what (if any) is the process to be used to fill that position
following the district convention?
Opinion: When a district convention fails to elect a member of the Synod’s Committee for Convention
Nominations, that position must be filled by the Board of Directors of the District in order to fulfill the
District’s obligation to the Synod.
159. “Close” vs. “Closed” Communion (12-2654)
In a letter received July 24, 2012, a pastor of the Synod asked a series of questions related to the use of
the term “closed communion.” After brief discussion, the commission decided that it would request
copies of the resolutions to which reference is made by the questioner before taking up the matter.
160. Articles of Incorporation Review Assistance
The commission has delayed its review of the following Articles of Incorporation documents while it
considers developing and supplying materials to Synod corporations to facilitate a review of these
documents. It will consider this matter again during its November meeting.
161. Other Matters
During the meeting the commission also heard reports and briefly discussed the following items on its
agenda for the meeting:
•
•
•

Chairman Sohns led an extensive discussion of issues to come before the commission’s
November meeting with the Commission on Handbook and the President of the Synod and his
staff and the individual presentations to be made by the members of the commission.
Secretary Hartwig reported briefly on the successful conclusion of document preparations for the
affiliation of Concordia University Ann Arbor with Concordia University Wisconsin.
Chairman Sohns reported briefly from the recent initial meeting of the Resolution 8-07 task force
at the International Center.

162. Remaining on the Agenda for the November Meeting
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