LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 8–9, 2022, Page 8

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

commissioned ministry, but on that faculty’s ability to certify the candidate’s fitness for ministry in these
other regards. The faculty of “the respective educational institution” (Bylaw 2.7.1), that is, “the appropriate
faculty” (Bylaw 2.8.1 [c]), must know the candidate well enough to certify that the candidate has indicated
“complete dedication to the ministry and evidenced a readiness for service in the church” (Bylaw 2.8.1 [b])
and that the candidate “will meet all personal, professional, and theological requirements of those who hold
the office of ministry to which the individual aspires” (Bylaw 2.8.1 [c]).
As to the second question asked in Question 2, supra, “limitations on such authority,” the commission finds
that the instituting of courses of study is to be coordinated by the Concordia University System (Bylaws
3.6.6.1, 3.6.6.5 [c], and 3.6.6.6 [c]) and as to the seminaries, by their respective Board of Regents (Bylaws
3.10.5.1 and 3.10.5.5. [c]), with new routes subject to review by the Pastoral Formation Committee and
approval by the convention (Bylaw 3.10.4.1–2) prior to their implementation by the seminaries.
The commission refers Bylaw sections 2.7 and 2.8 to the Commission on Handbook for review in light of
this opinion and potential related questions.
126. Nebraska District Articles and Bylaws, Proposed, Second Resubmission (20-2962B)
By emails of February 4 and 8, the President of the Nebraska (NEB) District forwarded a revised proposal
for revision of his district’s bylaws, submitted in response to the commission’s prior review in Op. 202962A, to include an additional clarification in NEB Bylaw IV A 1 a, and to accommodate a potential
circuit realignment.
The commission finds the following points requiring attention:
•

•

Bylaw III C 2: The district president is designated the “chief executive” of the district by Synod
Bylaw 4.4.1 and is of course an officer of the district (Const. Art. XII 3) but is not identified by the
Synod as “chief executive officer” of the district, which carries corporate trappings that do not
entirely transfer. The term “chief executive officer” should read “chief executive” instead.
Bylaw V: Amendments. This structure of this section is confusing, as to the connection of A, B, C,
and D. It may be acceptable nonetheless, so long as A and B are understood to apply to all
amendments finally approved under D 1 and 2 (as implied by the final “and”), and C does not
impede the ability of the convention to adjust the bylaws of its district (Bylaw 4.2.1).

With these points addressed, the commission finds the proposal to be in harmony with the Constitution,
Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod and approves it for presentation to the district convention. The district
and its president and secretaries are thanked for this submission and reminded to file with the Office of the
Secretary, for the commission’s records, a clean copy of the Bylaws as finally adopted by the convention,
as well as a clean copy of the district’s Articles as adopted and filed with the State of Nebraska, as previously
approved by the commission.
127. Minnesota North District Articles and Bylaws, Proposed, Resubmitted (21-2964A)
The Secretary of the Minnesota North (MNN) District, by emails of January 6 and 7, forwarded a revised
bylaw proposal for his district, submitted in response to the commission’s previous review in Op. 20-2964
and including an additional change to Bylaw 3.08 to correct an historical oversight. It was noted that
changes to the district’s articles, approved in Op. 17-2867A, are subject to a second vote in the district’s
upcoming convention, having received the first required two-thirds majority in the district’s 2018
convention.
The commission notes the following:
•

MNN Bylaw 1.04: In this bylaw, the word advisory must read individual (title and one subsequent
instance), as it did in the submission originally reviewed.

•

MNN Bylaw 2.58: The commission notes again that “the sending of nominating ballots, especially
for president and vice-president, to all individual members is unusual but theoretically
CCM Minutes – April 8–9, 2022 – Page 95