LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 1–2, 2012, Page 5

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Bylaws 3.8.2.3 and 3.8.3.3: The terminology “relates to” is unclear. COH Chairman Tresch asked
Barbara Below and Greg Williamson to work on more precise wording for these and related
bylaws.
Raymond Hartwig introduced discussion of issues related specifically to Bylaws 3.3.4.5 (allocation of
funds by the Board of Directors), 3.8.2 (responsibility of the Board for National Mission), and 3.8.2.7
and 3.8.3.6 (granting of Recognized Service Organization status).
o Bylaw 3.3.4.5: Resolve several issues related to the use of the word “mission” by its
deletion, so that the paragraph reads: “The Board of Directors shall allocate available funds to
the boards, commissions, councils, offices, and departments of corporate Synod and shall
hold them responsible therefor.”

o
•

•

Neely Owen called attention to relationship and definition issues currently present in Bylaws 3.4.3–
3.4.3.1, 3.4.3.3–3.4.3.4, and 1.2.1 (b).
o Bylaw 1.2.1 (b): This definition will better read: “(b) Chief Executive: The top staff
administrator of a separately incorporated agency of the Synod, who may be referred to as
president.”
o Bylaw 3.4.3.4: This paragraph will more accurately read: “The Chief Mission Officer shall
meet regularly with the executive directors of commissions (if any) and the chief executives
of synodwide corporate entities as the liaison for and at the direction of the President of the
Synod….”

•

Wilbert Sohns led a lengthy discussion of the relationship between supervision and ecclesiastical
supervision as these terms are used in Bylaws 3.3.1–3.3.1.3; 3.8.2.1, 3.8.3.1, and other related bylaws.
o Bylaw 3.8.2.1: In order for this bylaw to mirror its counterpart for the Board for International
Mission (Bylaw 3.8.3.1), the reference to “supervision of the President of the Synod” should
be changed to “ecclesiastical supervision, so that the final sentence of the bylaw will read:
“The board shall be under the ecclesiastical supervision of the President of the Synod
regarding doctrine and administration, consistent with the President’s responsibility under
Constitution Art. XI B 1–4 (also Art. XI B 7; Bylaws 3.3.1.1–3.3.1.3) between conventions of
the Synod and ultimately shall be responsible to the Synod in convention (Art. XI A 1–2).”

•

Philip Esala provided a “general/philosophical” summary to wrap up the presentations and
discussions. In discussion that followed, several additional issues were surfaced for attention by the
Commission on Handbook:
o The commission was encouraged to request a study of Constitution Art. XI “Rights and
Duties of Officers” as the basis for a comprehensive study and treatment of such terms as
“ecclesiastical supervision, administration, etc.” in the Handbook.
o The commission was encouraged to add the consideration of the term “national Synod” to its
agenda.
o The commission was asked to provide a bylaw recommendation to address the reappointment
of hearing facilitators in Bylaw section 1.10.

58. Future Meetings and Adjournment
The joint meeting with the Commission on Constitutional Matters and International Center staff having
consumed a large portion of the commission’s meeting time, the remaining items on its meeting agenda
were necessarily held over to its next meetings (January 25–26 and February 23–24, 2013). The meeting
was closed with words of benediction by Walter Rosin.
Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary
Page 32 - 11.01 to 11.02.12 - COH Minutes