LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 15–16, 2017, Page 9

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Bylaw III 2 a: Actions using electronic ballot must be taken in accordance with the LCMS
Board of Directors policy manual (Bylaw 1.5.3), which should be compared to the
procedure here specified.
Bylaw III 3 a: The district may wish to strike the second instance of elective, as well as the
first.
Bylaw III 4: Responsibility to a board of directors extends only so far as business, legal,
and property matters, as delineated in the Bylaws. Officers in general are responsible to the
convention of the district (Const. XI A 1) and, as regards ecclesiastical supervision, to the
President of the Synod.
Bylaw III 5: The standard “does not interfere with responsibilities of the elected office” is
a subjective one. The language of LCMS Bylaws 1.5.1.1–2 should be reproduced in a more
verbatim form or simply referenced here.
Bylaw IV 2 c: It seems, if the commission understands the language properly, that the
specified procedure could likely result in a single nomination for a given position, if a
single candidate receives more than half the nominations. A procedure should be adopted
that will ensure at least two candidates on the ballot in any given position (Cf. Bylaw
3.12.3.6 [a]).
The commission notes the absence of bylaws dealing with the conduct of elections at the
convention. These procedures should be set forth in the district bylaws, as Synod election
procedures (e.g., for the President of the Synod) do not naturally translate to the district
level. Unless otherwise specified, the Bylaws of the Synod are the bylaws of the district.
Bylaw V 1 a: The pastor representing a congregation is not any pastor elected but the
pastor of (serving, called by) the congregation so designated (Const. Art. XII 10 A).
Bylaw V 2: Should be retitled “District Ordained and Commissioned Minister
Conferences.”

The commission thanks the Kansas District for its cooperation in the bylaw review process and
looks forward to reviewing a subsequent draft of the district’s bylaws and articles, in which these
points have received the necessary attention.
82. Iowa West District Articles and Bylaws (17-2846)
By August 15 and 16, 2017, e-mails, the chairman of the Iowa West District Handbook Committee
forwarded his district’s proposed articles and bylaws for review.
The proposed district articles of incorporation satisfy the requirements of Bylaw 1.5.3.6 and 2016
Res. 9-02A. The proposed articles are approved for presentation to the district convention for
adoption.
Regarding the proposed bylaws, a few points continue to require attention:
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Bylaw 1.10: It is noted that LCMS Bylaws 1.5.8–1.5.8.1 do not provide for the removal of
one of the district officers: the district president. The district may wish to clarify that this
section deals only with other officers.
Bylaw 2.4.4: The district is advised to reproduce the language of LCMS Bylaw 4.2.3: “All
nonvoting ordained and commissioned members who are members of the Synod within the
district shall serve as advisory delegates.”

CCM Minutes – September 15–16, 2017 – Page 67