LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 15–16, 2017, Page 2

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congregations insofar as the resolutions and acts regard their “right of self-government.”
At lines 21–23: The Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod are not those of the several
congregations, nor are they the primary Constitution and Bylaws of the congregations,
which have their own constitutions and bylaws. At lines 24–27: Reference to “additional
bylaws” and to “carrying on the work of the district” are incorrect. Circuits may adopt
resolutions or regulations proper to their own administration, but have no provision for
adoption of bylaws. Circuits operate under the bylaws of the district and of the Synod. The
commission suggests replacement of lines 19–29 with the following text:
A circuit is “a network of congregations that “walks together” for mutual care,
support, advice, study, ecclesiastical encouragement, service, coordination,
resources, and counsel—all for the sake of greater congregational participation in
God’s mission” (LCMS Bylaw 5.1.1).
Congregations of the district are bound by the Constitution and Bylaws of the
Synod, and shall submit their constitutions and bylaws to the district for review.
Congregations of the Synod and the district uphold the confessional position of the
Synod, respect the resolutions of the Synod and the district, and diligently and
earnestly promote the purpose of the Synod and district by word and deed. The
district respects congregations’ rights with respect to the resolutions of Synod and
district under Const. Art. VII.
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Bylaw 2.2.7, line 77: The word parishes needs to be removed. Discipline proceedings with
regard to a multiple-congregation parish would be carried out at the level of the constituent
congregations.
Bylaws 3.1, 4.1, and 5.1; lines 103, 118, and 135: Clergy are not assigned “by rule” to a
circuit, apart from their service of a congregation of the circuit. For regional representation,
the standard is residence within the respective region (LCMS Bylaw 3.12.1). Rather than
“clergy of the circuits” the commission recommends the clarifying language “clergy on the
roster of the district residing within circuits.”
Bylaw 11.6, lines 383–386: 2016 changes to LCMS Bylaw 4.2.2 should be incorporated.
Bylaw 13.1–13.1.6, lines 628–641: The district may wish to incorporate the new procedure
of LCMS Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3 [b].

The commission thanks the district for its patience with the review process and requests
resubmission of the bylaws with these changes made, so that the result can be approved for
presentation to the district convention.
68. Missouri District Bylaws (17-2823A)
By an August 14, 2017, e-mail, the chairman of the Missouri District bylaw drafting committee
forwarded the district’s latest proposed bylaws, including changes requested by the commission
(chief among which was the inclusion of basic election procedures formerly relegated to policies).
The changes the commission requested in its Op. 17-2823 were made, and the language
incorporated to provide procedure for election of district vice-presidents is acceptable. The
commission thanks the district for facilitating the timely review of its bylaws, which are now
approved for presentation to the district convention, and reminds the district to file the adopted
version of its bylaws with the commission following its convention.

CCM Minutes – September 15–16, 2017 – Page 60