LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 10–11, 2015, Page 7

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

WHEREAS, Basic Christian honesty and integrity require that no deception of any sort be used in declaring the truth
of the Gospel before all the world, as St. Paul declares: ‘Rather we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do
not use deception, nor do we distort the Word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend
ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God’ (2 Cor. 4:2); therefore be it
Resolved, That all congregations and mission stations in our Synod boldly profess in their official title and/or name
that they are ‘Lutheran’; and be it further
Resolved, That all congregations and mission stations of our Synod state in their materials (bulletins, newsletters,
etc.) that they belong to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and be it finally
Resolved, That all LCMS congregations gladly proclaim our great doctrinal heritage to a world that needs the clear
proclamation of the truth.” (1995 Res. 3-13A, “To Use the Name Lutheran”)
2
Synod Bylaws 2.5.1–2.5.3 provide specific information.
3
Synod Bylaw 2.2.1 (a) (1).

The commission instructed the Secretary of the Synod to have this document posted on the Synod’s Web
site along with the already posted non-abbreviated guidelines document, “GUIDELINES FOR
CONSTITUTIONS AND BYLAWS OF LUTHERAN CONGREGATIONS.”
115. Minnesota South District Bylaw Review (15-2756A)
A member of the staff of the President’s Office of the Minnesota South District, with a February 16, 2015
email, submitted final proposed revisions to the district handbook for the commission’s review. Upon
review, the commission approved all changes, including adding back in the words “and any regional
offices” at the end of paragraph (f) of Bylaw 4.2.15.6, thanking the district for its cooperation.
116. Bylaw Section 2.15 Standard Operating Procedures Manual Revision (15-2761)
Bylaw 2.15.10.3 requires the commission to “amend as necessary the Standard Operating Procedures
Manual that serves as a comprehensive procedures manual for the provisions set forth in Bylaw section
2.15.” After the required consultation with and concurrence of the Council of Presidents and after making
final changes to bring it into line with the 2013 Handbook of the Synod, the commission approved the
manual and instructed the Secretary to post it on the Synod’s Internet site.
117. Bylaw Section 2.16 Standard Operating Procedures Manual Revision (15-2762)
Bylaw 2.16.10.4 requires the commission to “amend as necessary the Standard Operating Procedures
Manual that serves as a comprehensive procedures manual for the provisions set forth in Bylaw section
2.16.” After the required consultation with and concurrence of the Council of Presidents and after making
final changes to bring it into line with the 2013 Handbook of the Synod, the commission approved the
manual and instructed the Secretary to post it on the Synod’s Internet site.
118. Oklahoma District Bylaws Review (15-2767)
Via a May 7, 2015 email, the commission received the Handbook of the Oklahoma District, the district’s
response to an earlier review by the commission. The commission expressed its appreciation for the
district’s efforts and, upon review, offers the following recommendations and expectations.
•
•
•

Article II, section 3 – This statement will better read “…governed by the Constitution and Bylaws
of the Synod.” The bylaw references at the end of the paragraph should be deleted since they are
not the most applicable and supportive of the statement.
Article III, section 1, subsection b – Because of a recent change to Synod Bylaw 4.3.1, the second
sentence must now read: “The vice-presidents shall be elected from the ordained minister roster
of the Synod district with residence in the designated region, and shall…”
Article III, section 1, subsection c – Due to Synod bylaw changes, the second sentence must be
changed to read: “The district secretary shall be elected by the district in convention from the
ordained minister roster of the Synod district and shall be…” (Synod Bylaw 4.3.1)

CCM Minutes – July 10–11, 2015 – Page 91