LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 1–2, 2023, Page 2

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14. Policy Review, Colloquy Committee for the Pastoral Ministry (23-3018)
By an email of October 3, the office of the First Vice-President conveyed the policy manual for the Colloquy
Committee for the Pastoral Ministry, dated September 8, 2023 (but noting an edit on Sept. 20), for the
commission’s review. The commission noted, at “III. Application through the District President,” (1)(c),
relative to (1)(b), that an applicant under Category 2 who has “completed preparation for pastoral ministry
in a non-LCMS institution” would have become an “LCMS layman,” though not falling under the
prohibitions of Bylaw 3.10.2.3. The language of (1)(c) may therefore create an unclarity that should be
addressed. The unique reference to “Synod Bylaw 2.9.1” was noted in Section VII (other references are
simply to “Bylaw …”).
The committee is thanked for submitting its policies for review.
15. Policy Review, Synod Board of Directors (22-3002)
The Secretary of the Synod submitted, on November 23, 2022, the Synod Board of Directors’ policy
manual, dated November 19, 2022, for review. The commission noted:
•

Policy 1.1.1.1: The reference to Const. Art. XI E 1 should likely be to Const. Art. XI A 1.

•

Policy 1.1.1.3: The reference to Bylaw 1.2.1 (o) should be to (p) and should precede the
Constitution reference. Later, the language “their governance of the Synod in convention” would
more clearly be stated “governance, in convention, of the Synod.”

•

Policy 1.2.1.2 and 3: It may be clearer to say “property and business affairs of the Synod and
Corporate Synod (here meaning both Synod and Corporate Synod)”

•

Policy 1.2.1.5: The reference to Bylaw 1.2.1(t) should be to (u) and (o) should be (p).

•

Policy 1.4.1.2: The word “available” is missing from the quotation, “shall allocate available
funds….” and “holds” should be “hold.” “Corporate Synod” may well be capitalized.

•

Policies 1.4.1.3–5: references should be to Bylaw 3.3.4.5 [b], etc.

•

Policy 1.6.1.1: The policy may well continue the quotation or make reference to Policy 1.7, below,
regarding oversight of affairs delegated.

•

Policy 1.6.1.2: It is suggested to insert “in its capacity” before “as Board of Directors of Corporate
Synod.”

•

Policy 1.7.1.1: The reference to Art. of Inc. VIII should be to V.

•

Policy 1.7.1.2: The reference to Bylaw 3.3.4.10 should be expanded to include the new Bylaw
3.3.4.10.1.

•

Policy 1.7.2 (b) and (d) refer to Bylaws 3.6.1.6 (g) and (f), which apply, strictly speaking, only to
synodwide corporate entities and not synodwide trust entities. It is noted that the board’s general
oversight of powers delegated may include these features, but such are not provided by the given
citations. This deserves clarification.

•

Policy 1.7.2 (f) should continue “if not approved by the Synod in Convention.”

•

Policy 1.7.5 (c) requires revision, given 2023 bylaw changes (cf. Policy 6.3.9, which appears to
have anticipated 2023 Bylaws 3.6.4 and 3.6.4.4.1).

•

Bylaw citations could be completed in Policy 1.7.6 (a, c, and d).

•

Policy 1.7.7 requires revision, given 2023 bylaw changes.

CCM Minutes – December 1–2, 2023 – Page 6