LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 14–15, 2018, Page 6

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president’s responsibilities under the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws, which must take
precedence over other activities the board may have delegated to him.
The purpose of a policy manual is to elaborate how the responsibilities assigned to the board of
directors by the constituent congregations of the Synod and district, acting in convention, will be
carried out. The starting place for the policy manual is therefore the responsibilities assigned in the
Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod and of the district, and a policy manual ought
properly to begin with explicit reference thereto. While these policy manuals approach a general
definition of the responsibility of the board in different ways (for example, “to represent the
Stewards of the district,” as beholden to contributing individuals, or as simply to carry out, in the
broadest general terms, “the will of God, the Great Commandment, and the Great Commission”),
these expressions take the proper place of clear and concrete expressions of the responsibilities
assigned by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod, the bylaws of the district, or the resolutions
of the Synod and district in convention. The commission notes that clarity is particularly important
at this point, as the board “assume[s] such rights as have been expressly conferred…and in
everything pertaining to [its] rights and the performance of its duties [it] is responsible to the Synod
[and district]” (Const. Art. XI A 1). The district board of directors is responsible to the
congregations of the Synod and, in particular, of the district, as these have spoken collectively and
primarily through the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod and of the district, and as
they receive and react to reports of the board’s activities.

190. Review of Council of Presidents Policy Manual (17-2819)
The commission resumed its review of the Council of Presidents Policy Manual with Chapter 8, “Personal
Information Forms.”
191. Review of Draft 2019 Convention Report
The commission reviewed the chairman’s initial draft of the commission’s 2019 convention report.
192. Joint Meeting with Council of Presidents
The commission joined the Council of Presidents for the annual joint meeting required by 2013 Res. 616A, “To Encourage Conversation and Education re Commission on Constitutional Matters Opinions.” Dr.
Gude briefly commented on 2016 Res. 9-02A and the resultant Bylaw 1.5.3.6, and the report the
commission will give to the 2019 convention regarding the compliance of agencies’ governing documents
with these measures. After some discussion of that item, Dr. Gude introduced and explained the
commission’s 2019 convention overture (related to its Op. 17-2870, “Questions regarding the definition of
multi-congregation parish”), entitled, “To Clarify the Meaning of Parish as it Relates to Congregational
Representation at District Conventions and Election of the Synod President, and to Distinguish Assisting
Capacity Pastoral Calls.” The overture resulted from a joint effort of the commission and a committee of
the council. In general questions and answers, a district president raised the question of Bylaw 3.12.1 (b),
regarding regional membership being determined by strict geographical regional boundaries. It was noted
that no formal question has been put to the commission, and that this might best be referred with a
suggestion (by an interested district) to the Commission on Handbook.
193. Adjournment
With its presently addressable agenda concluded, the commission adjourned from its regular business at
noon on Saturday. The commission then joined the Council of Presidents for lunch and for the scheduled
one-hour joint meeting noted above. Future meetings are scheduled for January 25–26, March 22–23, and
May 29–June 1, 2019, in conjunction with Floor Committee Weekend.
John W. Sias, Secretary
CCM Minutes – September 14–15, 2018 – Page 148