LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — October 21–22, 2016, Page 1

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MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Hilton Airport Hotel, St. Louis
October 21–22, 2016
1. Call to Order and Opening Devotions
With all members of the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) present, Chairman George Gude
called the first meeting of the new triennium to order at 7:55 a.m., calling upon John Sias, Secretary, to
offer daily opening devotions. This he did, Friday, on the basis of Matthew 15:21–28, and Saturday, on
Matthew 16:1–12.
2. Adoption of Agenda
The commission approved the agenda prepared by its chairman. It was noted that agenda item (Ag.)162792, a question submitted during the convention by a district president, has been withdrawn. The
question, regarding the implications of having the ecclesiastical supervision bylaws of the Synod left in an
unconstitutional state, was addressed by the convention’s adoption of Res. 12-14, which authorized the
use of a Bylaw 7.1.2 process to amend unconstitutional portions of the bylaws.
It was also noted that Ag. 16-2784A, is still resting with the Michigan District, which is considering
withdrawing the question, a request for the commission to reconsider its opinion (Op.) 16-2784,
“Constitutionality of Bylaw 3.12.2.4.”
3. Commission Organization
George Gude and Neely Owen were nominated and elected chairman and vice-chairman, respectively, by
acclamation. The Secretary of the Synod, by bylaw, serves as secretary of the commission. Larry Peters
was nominated and elected to serve as acting secretary as needed. George Gude will serve as the
commission’s representative on the Commission on Handbook and on the 2016 Res. 11-10 Task Force on
Nominations and Elections Processes.
3. Correspondence
Chairman Gude noted a letter from commissioned minister Lucas Fitzgerald in regard to 2016 Overture
11-37, “To Discuss Enabling Advisory Delegates to Become Voting Delegates at Future Conventions.”
The convention referred this overture, as part of Omnibus A, to the Office of the President and,
secondarily, to the Commission on Constitutional Matters. The Commission considers the matter referred
to the Office of the President and will address any questions of interpretation that might arise.
4. Introduction of New Commission Member
The returning members of the commission, Rev. Dr. George Gude, Judge (ret.) Neely Owen, Rev. Larry
Peters, Atty. Tom Deadrick, and Rev. Dr. John Sias (now an ex officio member as Secretary of the Synod)
welcomed Rev. Gerhard Bode. Personal introductions were made, and a few words said of introduction to
the commission’s present assignments.
5. LCMS Foundation Bylaw Change (16-2796)
With a September 13 e-mail, the LCMS Foundation Board of Trustees submitted for review a proposed
change to the LCMS Foundation Bylaws. The commission finds these changes to be in harmony with the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod and gives its approval for these changes to be made. The
commission thanks the LCMS Foundation for submitting its changes for review and requests for its file a
copy of their bylaws, to be submitted by the LCMS Foundation when these changes have been finally
adopted.

CCM Minutes – October 21–22, 2016 – Page 1