LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 10–11, 2015, Page 6

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Article II: For clarification purposes, the second entry under the purpose statements should
clarify that the district as a corporation “intends to unite in a corporate body the various
congregations, organized as corporations or existing as voluntary organizations of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church within the Texas District, who as congregations…”
Preamble: The commission again notes that the section preceding the bylaws that is called a
“preamble” is not a preamble but a constitution. If the district desires a preamble, it should
provide a true preamble which, among other things, makes clear that the Constitution of the
Synod is the constitution of the district and the Bylaws of the Synod are primarily the bylaws
of the district.
Article IV: This section naming the objectives of the Texas District must also include or at
least include reference to the Objectives of the Synod (Constitution Art. III), the district being
the Synod in that place.
Article V: The two mentions of “parishes” in this paragraph need to be changed to read
“congregations and parishes” and “congregation or parish” to honor the terminology used by
Constitution Art. V A.
Article VI: The mentions here and elsewhere of “circuit counselors” must be changed to
“circuit visitors” throughout the document.
Article IX: Mention should be made in this paragraph to the primary role played by the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod in determining the purposes of the district.
Bylaws I: Although the Bylaws of the Synod are mentioned in this paragraph, it must also
include mention that the Synod Bylaws are the primary Bylaws document for the district
(Synod Bylaw 4.1.1.2).
Bylaw 1.045: Due to a bylaw change by the 2013 Synod convention, this paragraph should
now read: “…from the clergy roster of the district with residence in the designated region”)
(Synod Bylaw 4.3.1).
Bylaw 1.053: The bylaw paragraph that is being replaced should be retained here if the
district wants to do other than what the Synod’s bylaw requires (Bylaw 3.12.2.7 [g]). Without
such a district bylaw, the district convention is bound by the Synod bylaw. It should also be
noted that in any case, this ranking process constitutes an election process and requires
decisions by majority vote.
Bylaw 1.059: Paragraph a should read “…from the clergy roster of the district…” (Synod
Bylaw 4.3.1).
Bylaw 4.003: Under paragraph b, while additional persons can be invited to attend the
convention as guests, it must be made clear that they are not to be regarded as advisory
delegates. Under paragraph c, there is no such thing as “contract commissioned ministers,”
since the Synod regards all rostered ministers employed by congregations to be called
ministers of religion—commissioned who are expected to attend district conventions as
advisory delegates (Synod Bylaw 4.2.3).
Bylaw 4.005: The proposed third sentence is missing some words. It should read: “A printed
copy of the convention workbook shall be provided to all official delegates and
representatives of the convention” (Synod Bylaw 3.1.8 [b]).
Bylaw 4.009: Paragraph a would more clearly read: “…appointed by him from among the
voting delegates, advisory delegates, and official advisory representatives of the convention
in order to expedite….” (Synod Bylaw 3.1.7 [a]).
Bylaw 4.015: This paragraph needs to be changed to read: “The district convention
Proceedings shall be printed and sent to every congregation of the Synod and to all delegates
(voting and advisory) and such other members of boards and commissions as have registered”
(Synod Bylaw 3.1.10.1).
Bylaw 5.001: Paragraph d should no longer include items 4 and 5, as these listed are not
official conferences and are already listed under paragraph e.
CCM Minutes – April 10–11, 2015 – Page 68