LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 15–16, 2024, Page 7

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Article II, Section 3: Here it is provided that no director may be re-elected after serving four consecutive
terms; Synod Bylaw 3.6.4.3, however, does not read “consecutive” or “successive,” but limits
directors of LCEF to four terms total.
Article II, Section 4: It would be appropriate to include the requirement of Synod Bylaw 1.5.3, that the
board of directors meet at least quarterly (new).
Article II, Section 6 f: perhaps “including the District Vice Presidents” is intended here?
Article VI, final sentence: “to ascertain that” should read (cf. Bylaw 3.6.1.7 [a]) “for it to review and
approve that.”
Synod Bylaw 1.5.2 requires implementation of the Synod’s conflict of interest policy. While explicit
mention in these governing documents is not required, the commission wishes to ensure this is
implemented (new).
The commission thanks LCEF for submitting its articles and bylaws for review and looks forward to
reviewing a draft of changes developed pursuant to this review. Foremost among issues identified is the
requirement of Synod Bylaw 3.6.1.3 (a), that a minimum of one-third of the voting members of the
governing board of LCEF be elected by the Synod in convention. The commission understands consultation
to be underway between LCEF and the Secretary as to how LCEF’s governing documents and organization
can be brought into compliance with this requirement.
29. 2023 Res. 7-04B Review of Higher Education Institution Governing Documents (23-3023)
With all universities and seminaries having submitted documents (albeit, with some requests for potentially
associated foundations outstanding), the commission began its review of documents in the order received,
starting with Concordia University, St. Paul (articles, bylaws, and policies reviewed) and Concordia
University Wisconsin (university articles only reviewed to date).
The commission also began to review and discuss a document prepared by the Secretary and his assistant
as an overview of requirements and changes in 2023 Bylaws, as relate to governance of the Synod’s higher
education institutions, and a summary of the commission’s previous interaction with the institution’s
documents. The commission hopes to provide comprehensive guidance to the institutions and the board of
directors at the conclusion of this review. It intends to reserve formal opinions on the individual documents
until the review is complete, in the interest of presenting consistent, coherent, and fully developed feedback.
The Secretary is authorized, in the interim, to interact informally with institutions undertaking revision of
their governing documents, in the interest of collective efficiency.
30. Future Agenda Items
The commission noted the following agenda items as being assigned by the chairman for initial work, for
treatment in future meetings:
•

Review and Revision of Guidelines for Congregational Constitutions and Bylaws (23-3019): Input
has been gathered under Bylaw 3.9.2.2 (b) and submitted for the commission’s review. The
chairman has assigned aspects of what will be a significant project for initial work by commission
members.

•

Concordia University System (CUS) Articles and Bylaws, Proposed Revisions (24-3026): The
commission has received draft documents for review, related to the new corporate structure and
function for CUS under 2023 Res. 7-04B and attendant bylaws. A policy manual is also expected
to be ready for review in the near future.

•

Procedures for Delay of Meetings of Synod (23-3022): The overture assigned to the commission
in Omnibus A has been assigned to a member of the commission for initial assessment.

CCM Minutes – March 15–16, 2024 – Page 19