LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 2–3, 2018, Page 6

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or those who function as doctrinal reviewers according to other stipulations: in the case of seminary
publications, their editorial boards.
In the event of a problem that cannot be resolved between an author and the [doctrinal] reviewer, whether
one appointed by the Synod President or those designated in the stipulations (Bylaw 1.9.1.1 [c–f]), the
Bylaw directs the problem to the Commission on Doctrinal Review “which shall follow the appeals
procedure and criteria stated in Bylaw 3.9.3.2.1” (Bylaw 1.9.2 [l]).
“The overall responsibility for doctrinal supervision and review lies with the President of Synod” (1.9.2
[a]) and he exercises this responsibility for doctrinal review of all materials and publications of Synod and
its agencies or auxiliaries either through those reviewers appointed under Bylaw 1.9.2 [a] or through those
stipulated separately in 1.9.1 [c–f]. If question or challenge is made to material reviewed and published, the
intent of the bylaws is to have this resolved between the author and those who are designated to provide
direct doctrinal review of that material. If this question or challenge cannot be resolved, the Synod President
remains responsible and the bylaws have provided means of appeal through the Commission on Doctrinal
Review which exists to “assist the President of the Synod in the exercise of his responsibility that all
doctrinal content in its or any of its agencies’ materials be in accord with the Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions (3.9.3).” This appeal is to be handled according to the provisions of Bylaw 3.9.3.2.2.
The publications of the seminaries and universities and every other agency, board, commission, or other
subordinate group separately stipulated remain the overall responsibility of the Synod President and are
subject to the appeal process designated in the bylaws and administered on behalf of the President through
the Commission on Doctrinal Review when a dispute or challenge arises.
118. Wyoming District Bylaws, Additional Proposed Changes (17-2852B)
By a January 16, 2018, email, the Wyoming District Secretary forwarded proposed changes to the district
policies and bylaws, the latter, implementing changes recommended by the commission in its prior review
(Op. 17-2852). The commission found the proposed changes satisfactory, and approves them for
presentation to the convention. The district is asked to forward a clean copy of its bylaws as adopted,
following its convention, to the Office of the Secretary of the Synod.
Although the commission has not yet reviewed the whole of Wyoming District policies (17-2852A), in the
policy amendment proposal, the commission noted with regard to the “District Data Policy” that for files
on those not in the district’s employ, it is recommended to use, instead of “personnel files/records,” a term
like “ecclesiastical supervision files.” The commission also notes that the resolution “To Create a Marriage,
Life, and Family Facilitator Position, etc.” should be identified clearly as a resolution having the effect of
amending the bylaws of the district.
At the same time the Wyoming District submitted revised proposed changes to its articles of incorporation,
which the commission finds to have addressed its earlier concerns and to satisfy the requirements of 2016
Res. 9-02A and LCMS Bylaw 1.5.3.6. All proposals submitted are approved for presentation to the
convention. The commission thanks the district for its cooperation with the review process and reminds it
to submit clean copies of governing documents as adopted with the Secretary of the Synod after its
convention.
119. Iowa District East Proposed Bylaws (17-2866)
By a November 20, 2017, e-mail, the Secretary of the Iowa East District submitted his district’s bylaws for
review, with a single change proposed to district bylaw 11.3.1 to accord with 2016 changes to LCMS Bylaw
4.2.1 [g]. The commission notes the following:
•

The district bylaws provide no procedures for nominations and elections. As Synod’s bylaws
ordinarily govern in the absence of district bylaws for such purposes and have changed significantly
with regard, among other things, to election of the President and Vice-Presidents, the district will
want to ensure that its bylaws include sufficient procedures for nominations and elections.
CCM Minutes – February 2, 2018 – Page 94