LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 13–14, 2014, Page 6

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Chapter 17 (Circuit Counselor Manual), under Section “B. THE OFFICE OF CIRCUIT VISITOR IN
RELATION TO THE SYNOD, DISTRICTS, CIRCUITS, CONGREGATIONS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL
CHURCH WORKERS,” the quotation of Bylaw 1.3.4 should also include quotation of Bylaw
1.3.4.1, as it also is pertinent.
Chapter 17, same section, in the paragraph under the quotation of Bylaw section 1.8, the
statement—“The power (and really the only power) the Synod has is the persuasive power of the
Gospel”—is an overstatement that does not take into consideration the Synod’s power and
authority to discipline, suspend, and expel from membership.
Chapter 17, same section, in the first paragraph under “Districts,” the reasons given for the
Synod’s decision to divide into districts might also include distance and travel issues which made
attendance at Synod conventions difficult.
Chapter 17, same section, in the final paragraph under “Districts,” the final phrase “since the
purpose of a district…” must be replaced with the words, “since the district is the Synod in that
place.”
Chapter 17, same section, change of wording of the second paragraph under “Privileges of
Member Congregations” will be necessary, since all of the examples given do not involve
balloting by member congregations of the Synod.
Chapter 17, same section, under the subsection “Congregations,” final paragraph under “1. The
Visitor Goes to the Congregations,” the fourth sentence as changed should not include the word
“are,” so as to read: “Circuit visitors assist the district president;….”
Chapter 17, same section, under the subsection “Congregations” and “2. The Visitor Gathers
Representatives of the Congregation”: In the final paragraph under “Concern for the Worker’s
Family,” the final word of the fourth sentence, “visitors,” should be changed to “counselors,” to
read, “…or even to professional counselors.”
Chapter 17, Section “D. GUIDELINES FOR CALLS AND VACANCIES,” Part “D. When a Pastor in
the Circuit Accepts a Call,” in the paragraph titled, “2. Set date of departure from the current
parish,” the word “six” should be restored since no alternative has been provided.
Chapter 17, same section and part D, at the end of the Harrison comments under “E. The
Consideration of a Call,” the Walter quote in paragraph 3 should read: “Where can my gifts be
used….”
Chapter 17, same section, subsection “II. Guidelines for the Circuit Visitor in Assisting
Congregations in Dealing with Vacancies,” under subsection “C. The Vacancy Process,” the final
sentence of paragraph 2 a would better read, “can be obtained from the district office,” since it is
unlikely that a constitution committee would keep the file of such documents.
Chapter 17, same section, under subsection “E. The Circuit Visitor’s Role in Assisting a
Congregation Interested in an Intentional Interim,” paragraph 2 a is not true in stating that the
intentional interim pastor is not eligible for the congregation’s call. A better statement on this
subject would be: “Although eligible, an intentional interim pastor should not be considered for a
call to the congregation where he is serving or has served as an interim pastor.”
Chapter 17, same section and subsection, paragraph 6 a is not enforceable or practicable and
should be restated in such a manner that discourages former pastors from remaining members of
the congregations they served upon retirement.
Chapter 17, same section, subsection “III. Guidelines for Assisting Congregations in Dealing with
the Calling Process,” Part B “The Call Committee,” the first sentence of the note following
paragraph 4 c may be over-expectant regarding the involvement of the circuit visitor, given his
local knowledge, the circumstances of the call meeting, and the likelihood that the calling
congregation will ask for explanation of information provided with the call list.
Chapter 17, in the section on “THE CIRCUIT VISITOR’S ROLE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONFLICT
RESOLUTION,” the quotation of Bylaw 2.14.5.1 in Part II A needs to be corrected to read: “…shall

CCM Minutes – June 13–14, 2014 – Page 21