LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 15–16, 2017, Page 10

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Bylaw 2.4.8.1 requires revision to comply with LCMS Bylaw 4.2.2 [a]. In Bylaw 2.4.8.2,
an alternate could be made the delegate before the convention, should the need be known,
by submission of the information in advance.
Bylaw 2.8.8.1: “if possible” should be removed. Bylaw changes require (LCMS Bylaw
3.9.2.2.3 [a]) prior approval, but can be modified from the floor (LCMS Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3
[b]).
Bylaw 2.9.1 does not accurately reflect the wording of LCMS Bylaw 4.2.2 [a].
Bylaw 2.10.4: There is no stipulation from the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod that
the voting privilege is contingent on payment of the fee or assessment. With sympathy to
the district’s concern, this regulation is impermissible.
Bylaw 2.10.6: The commission notes with regard to the phrase “retired… (except those
serving a congregation or multi-congregation parish)” the suggestion that “those ordained
and commissioned ministers having emeritus status” would seem more clearly to
accomplish the district’s apparent intent.
Bylaw 2.12.2.1: The reference to LCMS Bylaw 4.4.2 [a] seems to be mistaken.
Bylaws 3.1.1–4: The circuit visitors are omitted (Cf. LCMS Bylaw 4.3.1).
Bylaws 3.9.4 [h] and 4.4.3–3.4: Electronic voting and meetings must be conducted
according to LCMS Board of Directors policies, not simply according to rules of order
(LCMS Bylaw 1.5.3). Vote by e-mail, for example, requires unanimous participation and
a unanimous favorable vote.
Bylaw 9.5: Election every other triennium of a member of Synod’s Committee for
Convention Nominations (3.12.3) should be allowed for.
Bylaw 3.9.6: In the event of a permanent succession of the vice-president, he is not the
acting president (the same issue occurs in the succession of vice-presidents). This word
should be removed (he can serve on a part-time basis). It is noted that the part-time status
is mandated. As a suggestion only, it might be advisable to allow the board and a
succeeding vice-president the flexibility to serve on a full-time basis if this is possible for
him and profitable for the district.
Bylaw 3.11.1 [j]: It should be clarified that the district secretary does not have the authority,
unilaterally, to change the bylaws of the district after a Synod convention. It is possible for
the district to implement something like LCMS Bylaw 7.1.2, by which the board of
directors could adopt those district bylaw changes “expressly directed” by a Synod
convention.
Bylaws 5.1.1–5.1.1.2 (and similarly for subsequent committees): Perhaps “at least” should
be restored in Bylaw 5.1.1, taking into account Bylaw 5.1.1.2, or the possibility of
additional membership (voting and non-voting) should be noted for clarity.
Bylaw 8.2.7: District bylaws 1.10.1–2 and LCMS Bylaws 1.5.8–1.5.8.1 are not applicable
here, as they deal with officers. The commission also notes for comparison LCMS Bylaw
3.11.1.
Bylaw 8.3.1: The reference to Const. Art. XII 6 is of uncertain purpose or significance.
Bylaw 9.5: Somewhere the need to elect, at every other convention, a representative to the
LCMS Committee on Convention Nominations, should be included.
Bylaw 9.6.3.2: The listing of nominees in numerical order conflicts with LCMS Bylaw
3.12.4.1 and needs to be changed to alphabetical order, without distinction.

CCM Minutes – September 15–16, 2017 – Page 68