LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — November 2–4, 2012, Page 3

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169. Wyoming District Convention Bylaw Revisions (12-2656)
The president of the Wyoming District with a September 24, 2012 email provided electronic copies of his
district’s 2012 convention resolutions showing revisions to the district’s Bylaws. Upon final review, the
commission noted that the following will require additional attention at the next following district
convention:
•
•

The final sentence of paragraph c of Bylaw 3.29 will either need to be restored to its entirety (the
convention deleted the final phrase) or deleted in its entirety. Until this is done, the pertinent
bylaws of the Synod will need to be followed.
The new paragraph d of Bylaw 3.29 includes the parenthetical “(pastor)” which will need to be
deleted since the term “pastor” is not sufficiently comprehensive to cover inactive ordained
ministers. As used by the Synod in its Bylaws, “pastor” refers specifically to called pastors of
congregations.

170. North Wisconsin District Camp Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (12-2657)
With an October 19, 2012 email, the North Wisconsin District Board of Directors submitted Restated
Articles of Incorporation and Amended Bylaws for Camp Luther, Inc. for review by the commission.
Upon review, the commission concluded that the Camp Luther documents as submitted are in harmony
with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod.
171. Gemeinnützige Concordia International GmbH Corporate Documents (12-2658)
With an October 23, 2012 email, the LCMS Board of Directors submitted the Bylaws of a German entity,
the Gemeinnützige Concordia International GmbH for review by the commission. Before it completes its
review, the commission requests a copy of the Articles of Incorporation of this organization for review, as
well as information regarding the involvement of the Concordia Asia Educational Foundation and a copy
of the latter’s corporate documents for review.

172. Fairness and Due Process Questions Received from Final Hearing Panel (12-2659)
Pursuant to Bylaw 2.14.7.8 (k), a Final Hearing Panel submitted a series of questions to the Commission
on Constitutional Matters (CCM). Immediately after receipt of these questions, the accused member
submitted a lengthy history and background raising three “points” or arguments the member wanted to be
considered. It is unclear whether the member intended the communication to be a request for an opinion
under Bylaw 3.9.2.2. At least one of the “points” is accompanied by a heading, “Procedural Questions to
the CCM.” To the extent that the issues presented by the member are relevant to the pending proceeding,
the panel itself must process the questions pursuant to Bylaw 2.14.7.8 (k). In this opinion, the member’s
submission will be treated as background material rather than as a question under Bylaw 3.9.2.2.
Question 1: In a matter arising under Bylaw section 2.14, is a final hearing panel concerned only with
the issues raised by the request for a final hearing, or is the panel to review any issues of
fairness, due process, or possible procedural infractions that have occurred throughout the
entire process? If the latter, does that include matters relating to the procedures of a special
hearing panel and the actions or inactions of the administrator relating to the special hearing
panel?

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