LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 9–11, 2013, Page 11

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convention which had elected him had thereafter changed his status, the commission determined that as
the effective date of his change of status. The individual was no longer eligible to continue serving (Ag.
2025, Jan. 19–20, 1996).
Although in the current circumstances the membership of the search committee had been properly
selected under the provisions of Bylaw 3.10.5.5.2 (b) (1) as it existed prior to the amendment of the
bylaw, the required qualifications for membership on this committee were changed on July 24, 2013. No
grandfathering provision was included in the resolution that amended the bylaw, and no such provision
exists within the Bylaws of the Synod that would allow the members who do not meet these requirements
to continue serving on the search committee.
Synod Bylaw 3.10.5.5.2 (b) (1) as amended controls the current qualifications for membership on any
search committee formed under its provisions. The search committee must meet the requirements stated
therein relative to each of its members being “members of LCMS congregations.” (See also Ag. 1980
referenced above and Ag. 2116 [June 23, 1998] concerning pastoral colloquy and “grandfathering”).
Depending upon the makeup of the search committee as concerns its remaining members, if it satisfies the
current requirements of Bylaw 3.10.5.5.2 (b) (1) absent the members who are not members of LCMS
congregations, it may continue to function and perform its duties. If not, the vacancies created thereby
must be filled. Even if the search committee can function absent these members, their vacancies may be
filled as determined by the board of regents.
235. Board for National Mission Policy Review (13-2687)
The commission began its review of proposed Board for National Mission policies required “for the
coordination of and in support of district ministries which support congregations and schools” (Bylaw
3.8.2, as amended by the 2013 convention). The commission encourages the board to continue its work
on its policies, taking into consideration the following general observations:
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Repeated mention of “congregations” throughout the document as submitted indicates a need for
the board to reconsider and recall the role given to it by the Synod, one of determining policies
for the Office of National Mission that target “coordination of and support of district ministries.”
The board will be assisted in this by bylaw changes made by the 2013 convention.
Repeated mention of “congregations” fails to recognize that it is the role of the national mission
board and office to relate to districts and their ministries, understanding that it is the role of
districts to relate to and support congregations and schools. The board will want to look critically
at every reference to congregations in its proposed policies.
Care will also need to be taken to recognize that the responsibilities of the Board (and Office) for
National Mission are limited to domestic interests, with general phrases such as “throughout the
world” (1.3) calling into question such understanding. Care should be taken not to enter into areas
of ministry already the responsibility of other agencies of the Synod, such as those of the
Concordia University System (9.1).
The board is encouraged also to be more precise by using terminology from the Bylaws of the
Synod whenever possible, taking care that choice of words does not understate or overstate what
the Synod requires.

The commission appreciates the work that has been done by the Board for National Mission as it
endeavors to function in a manner very different from the Synod’s former program board structure and
responsibilities. The commission encourages the board to review the policies it has developed in light of
the general comments above, prior to resubmitting the document for further review.

CCM Minutes – August 9-11, 2013 – Page 389