LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 5–6, 2017, Page 9

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President). The district may, of course, specify that as such he would not, or need not, be in the
full-time employ of the district.
•

1.2.3.1: After “from the clergy roster of the district” the phrase “, each with residence in the
designated region” should be inserted.

•

2.1.2.1: The commission notes that the constitutional and bylaw responsibilities of the district
president (chiefly ecclesiastical supervisory in nature) are primary. A district board of directors,
while it may delegate certain aspects of its native business and property supervision to the district
president as the chief executive of the district (Bylaw 4.4.1), should take appropriate care for its
district president and the life of its district, to see that the additional duties assigned him do not
unduly limit his capacity to carry out his unique ecclesiastical supervisory role.

•

3.1.1: Noted is the change: “All lay and pastoral ordained minister delegates” This refers to
congregational voting representatives, which are required to be credentialed (see and compare
LCMS Bylaw 4.2.2). That being the case, here, “pastoral” is correct (Const. Art. XII 10 A) and
should be retained. This sentence should also note that it refers to voting delegates.

•

3.1.5: LCMS Bylaw 4.7.2 requires that “nominating committees may not be employed in the
election of the president and vice-presidents.” The commission notes, however, that the nominating
committee appears to serve only as tellers and by requesting consent to serve from nominees, which
could be considered simply an allowable assistance to the district secretary, who would ordinarily
perform this task.

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3.3.2.9: Compare 2016 LCMS Bylaw 5.2.2, and update to reflect the changes made by the Synod
convention, with attention to avoiding divergence of language from that in the LCMS Bylaw (here
pastor should remain).

•

3.4.1: The term “pro tempore” is inappropriate here. The vice-president so elected would be a full
vice-president for the remainder of the term.

The commission thanks the Eastern District for submitting its documents for review, and requests
resubmission of the proposal when the noted items have been addressed, so that its prior approval can be
given as required under Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3 [a]. The commission also requests a clean copy of the bylaws as
amended by the convention, for its files, and notes the new procedure of Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3 [b], which may
be of use to the district, should the convention wish to amend the proposal at the time of the convention.
51. Camp Pioneer (17-2814)
The President of the Eastern District forwarded the bylaws of Camp Pioneer, an agency of his district, along
with changes proposed, for review under Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3 [a]. The commission noted no issues requiring
further attention, and thanks the Eastern District and Camp Pioneer for submitting their document for
review.
52. Missouri District Bylaw Changes (17-2823)
The chairman of the Missouri District Task Force on Structure submitted the Missouri District Bylaws,
together with proposed changes (updated on April 24, 2017), for review under Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3 [a]. The
commission noted the following points that may require further attention:
• II A 4: The commission notes for the district’s consideration that a council is advisory only (LCMS
Bylaw 1.2.1[g]) and does not have authority to submit overtures to a convention (LCMS Bylaw
3.1.6.2). It may be authorized by the bylaws (as it is in Bylaw V C 4) to report to the district
convention, but such reports are not to contain overtures.
•

II E 4: The bylaws of the Synod require attendance at the official conferences of a district (LCMS
Bylaw 4.8.2 [d]).

CCM Minutes – May 5–6, 2017 – Page 36