LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 1–2, 2016, Page 7

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XII 6). While the Synod’s Bylaws 3.3.1.2 and 3.3.1.3 assign to the president certain administrative
powers and duties, these do not take away from those assigned to the board of directors.
With the above examples, the CCM hopes the Michigan District now has enough direction to go forward
with a review and rewrite of its policy manual, which rewrite will be in accordance with the Synod’s
Constitution and Bylaws. The district should also review its bylaws again to ascertain that the above
principles are honored in them as well (see district Bylaw 7.4 [b]).
157. Concordia University Boards of Regents and Foundations (15-2779)
Via an October 7, 2015 email, the Secretary of the Synod submitted a series of questions regarding
college and university foundations, these questions prompted by inquiries he had received. After offering
opportunity for input from the Concordia University System and its colleges and universities and after
soliciting further input, and after several discussions during recent meetings, a motion was introduced and
carried to table this matter until a later time.
158. Wyoming District Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws (15-2782)
With a November 14, 2015 letter, the secretary of the Wyoming District submitted 2015 district
convention resolutions which revised the district’s handbook. Upon reviewing the changes made and
incorporated into the district’s bylaws document, the commission offered the following recommendations
and/or requirements.
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Article III, Section A: The parenthetical reference at the end of the paragraph to Synod Bylaw
4.2.1 is inappropriate in that the paragraph’s content is not pertinent to that bylaw, especially the
final comment regarding the district convention giving direction to the officers, boards, and
commissions of the district. Such direction primarily and ultimately is provided by the Synod in
its Bylaws (Bylaw 4.1.1.2) and its conventions (Synod Bylaw 1.4.1). The commission
recommends removing the parenthetical reference to Synod Bylaw 4.2.1 and changing the final
sentence of the paragraph to read: “Insofar as it pertains to the affairs of the district, it shall have
the authority….”
Article III, Section A, paragraph a of Bylaw 3.13: The mention in this paragraph of only the first
vice-president is incorrect and should also make mention of the second and third vice presidents,
the candidates for which positions (in addition to the president and first vice-president) are not to
come from the nominations committee but from congregations or regional caucuses. The second
sentence of the paragraph should therefore read: “The duty of this committee shall be to nominate
at least two candidates for each elective office of the district except for the offices of president,
three vice-presidents, and circuit visitors, where congregations make the nominations.”
Article III, Section B, paragraph a of Bylaw 3.2.1: This paragraph does not concur with Synod
Bylaw 4.3.1, where only the president of the district is to be nominated from the clergy roster of
the Synod. The first sentences of this paragraph will better read: “a. The president shall be elected
from the clergy roster of the Synod. The vice-presidents (3), secretary, commission chairmen (2)
and chairmen-elect (2), a circuit visitor for each circuit established by the district, and a pastor-atlarge on the board of directors shall be elected from the clergy roster of the district.”
Article III, Section B, paragraph a of Bylaw 3.2.7: The use of the word “selected” in the second
sentence is not parallel to its usage by the Synod, where “elected” is used solely for the results of
a final vote for an elective position by a district or Synod convention (as is the case in this bylaw)
while “selected” is used for appointments (even if an elective process is used to determine an
appointment) and all steps leading up to an election. Distinguishing in this manner is made
necessary by Synod Bylaw 1.5.1.2. The second sentence of paragraph a should therefore read:
“The vice-presidents shall be elected from the three regions….”

CCM Minutes – April 1–2, 2016 – Page 121