LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 10–11, 2015, Page 4

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Bylaw 2.30: The first sentence of paragraph d will better read: “In the election of the
president, vice-presidents, and regional board members,….” The district may wish to model
its practice after what is done at the Synod level, as articulated in Synod Bylaw 3.12.2.7.
Bylaw 3.01: In paragraph a, only the president of the district is to be elected from the clergy
roster of the Synod. This paragraph must therefore be changed to state that vice-presidents,
secretary, and circuit visitors are to be elected from the clergy roster of the district (Synod
Bylaw 4.3.1).
Bylaw 3.11: Paragraph f overstates what district vice-presidents can be authorized to do by
the district president. They cannot, for example, restrict or suspend church workers. It will be
better to use language used for Synod-level vice-presidents, who “assist the president in
discharging his responsibilities or represent him” (Synod Bylaw 3.3.2).
Bylaw 3.11: Paragraph g should also include, in addition to the reference to Synod Bylaw
section 4.4, reference to Constitution Art. XII.
Bylaw 3.22: This bylaw should make clear that the nominees referred to are those from the
region in which the vacancy occurs.
Bylaw 3.31: Paragraph a can be further clarified by stating that the appointed successor must
be from the “clergy roster of the district.”
Bylaw 5.02: Paragraph b must include all of the elements for electronic meetings required by
Synod Bylaw 1.5.3.
Bylaws 5.13 and 5.14: In both bylaws, “entity” must be changed to “agency” in keeping with
the usage of the Synod (Synod Bylaw 1.2.1 [a]).
Bylaw 7.02: The specificity of these elections would be better located in the elections section
of the Bylaws (District Bylaw 2.31 d).

G. Indiana District Bylaws (15-2749)
As a result of its review, the commission made the following recommendations or requirements for
inclusion in the district’s bylaws.
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Bylaw 1.09: The reference in paragraph c to a district policy manual prompted this request
from the commission to receive an electronic copy of the manual for its review (Bylaw
3.9.2.2.3).
Bylaw 1.13: Paragraph b does not accurately mirror the wording of Synod Bylaw 1.7.2.
Bylaw 2.01: The reference to Article XII should read “Article XII 13.”
Bylaw 2.05: The reference to Article XII should read “Article XII 15.”
Bylaw 2.09: In this particular case, the reference to “minister of religion—ordained” must
instead read “pastor” (Constitution Art. V A). The same correction must be made to district
Bylaw 2.17 which should also speak of a “pastor” as one of a circuit’s convention delegates
(Synod Bylaws 3.1.2 and 3.1.2 [d]) .
Bylaw 2.14: In this bylaw, the reference to “ministry of religion—ordained” must instead
read “pastor” (Synod Bylaw 5.3.2). The same correction should be made in Bylaw 2.15
regarding visitation circuits.
Bylaw 2.17: This bylaw must speak of the “selection” of the circuit counselor, as in Synod
Bylaw 5.2.2. At the end of the same Bylaw 2.17, the commission assumes that the final
sentence is intended to be a paragraph “g.”
Title to Part B: The Synod has already provided the definition of “Council” in Bylaw 2.1.2
(g). The district should consider whether the use of the term “council” suits its intentions
since councils are defined by the Synod as totally advisory bodies.
Bylaw 2.35: The first sentence of paragraph a suits only the president of the district. The
other officers listed are to be nominated and elected from the clergy roster of the district
CCM Minutes – April 10–11, 2015 – Page 66