LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 15–16, 2017, Page 4

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It is also noted that the addition of “persistent adherence to false doctrine and practice” and
“unchristian life” is contrary to LCMS Bylaw 1.5.8. These would be cause not only for
removal for office but also removal from membership in the Synod.
It may be helpful to differentiate, using two separate bylaws, between the procedures for
removal of officers and removal of other employees. The commission also notes for
comparison LCMS Bylaw 3.11.1, which indicates that all employees other than officers
serve “at the pleasure of the appointing authorities.”
4.5.18.2.7: A pastor, even of a subsidized congregation, cannot be required to consult the
district president upon receipt of a call (however advisable such consultation may be).
Congregations are to consult the district president upon a vacancy, but even a subsidized
congregation cannot be compelled to follow call process guidelines set by the district (CCM
Ag. 1573; Op. 99-2171, 05-2437), other than that the congregation consult with its district
president (LCMS Bylaw 2.5.1). (See Const. Art. VII.)
4.11.3.1: The commission notes again LCMS Bylaw 3.11.1, which indicates that all
employees other than officers serve “at the pleasure of the appointing authorities.”

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.
72. Southern Illinois District Articles of Incorporation (17-2842)
The Secretary of the Southern Illinois District forwarded his district’s proposed Articles of
Incorporation for review. The commission notes at Article II c that Bylaw 1.5.3.6 [a] requires the
statement that “All provisions of [the district’s] Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are subject
to the provisions of the Constitution, the Bylaws, and the resolutions of [The Lutheran Church—
Missouri] Synod.” Such a statement should be included as replacement for (or in addition to) the
existing language of Article II c, as it makes clear that not only the operations of the district but
also the interpretation of the governing documents themselves are to be undertaken in a manner
governed by Synod’s documents.
The commission approves the proposed restated articles for presentation to the district convention
as consistent with Bylaw 1.5.3.6 and 2016 Res. 9-02A, contingent on inclusion of such a change.
The district is reminded to file the adopted version of its articles with the commission following
its convention.
73. Term Limits and Regional Offices (17-2850)
A member of the Synod has addressed a question to the commission regarding the relationship
between term limits for various officers and boards and a restructuring of regions of a district
having the potential to place an officer or board member in a different region. The situation is as
follows: A district by convention action has rearranged the regions in which its congregations are
placed. This same district has established term limits for regional officers and regional
representatives to its board of directors.
Question: Does the convention action realigning regional membership remove the accumulation
of service time as it is counted toward the limitation of terms? That is, if a regional officer or board
member is ineligible for reelection to that same regional office or board membership because of
term limits, would a realignment of the regions placing him in a different region restore his
eligibility? (Additional questions were asked in case of an affirmative opinion.)

CCM Minutes – September 15–16, 2017 – Page 62