LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 7, 2025, Page 1

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MINUTES
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Internet Conference Meeting
January 7, 2025
76. Opening Prayer and Adoption of Agenda
Chairman Peters called the meeting to order with all members present by internet conference. Following an
opening from Psalm 125, the commission proceeded with its previously distributed agenda, as follows:
77. Indiana District Bylaws, Proposed Revision (24-3044)
By an email of Dec. 14, the Indiana (IN) District Secretary forwarded for the commission’s review a draft
of amendments to Bylaws 8.1.2.2 (f), 8.2.1.1 (b–d), 8.2.1.3 (d), 8.2.2.1 (c–d), 8.3.5, 9.1.1, 9.2.4, 10.7, and
11.1.5, along with a comprehensive redline of the district’s bylaws as proposed to be amended. The
commission notes that articles approved in Op. 18-2881 have been adopted and filed with the State of
Indiana. With regard to the changes:
•

IN Bylaw 8.3.5.1: The insertion might better read, “The District Treasurer, who shall be a
layperson, shall be appointed by the B.O.D.”

With or without that suggestion incorporated, the commission finds the proposed changes to be consistent
with the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod and approves them for presentation to the
convention, requesting the district to provide, via the Office of the Secretary, a clean copy of the bylaws as
adopted by the district after its convention.
On review of the bylaws as a whole, the commission notes that it would be better, throughout the document,
to reference Synod Bylaws as “Synod Bylaw(s) nn” rather than “LCMS Handbook [H.B.] nn,” as the
Handbook contains also the Constitution and Articles of Incorporation of the Synod.
The commission notes, on review of the bylaws, further items requiring the district’s attention (including
some [*] remaining outstanding from its previous review, Op. 22-2976), namely:
•

IN Bylaw 5.2: The district may wish to include, in addition, the possibility of amendment as
described in Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3 (b), as contingent on approval by the commission.

•

IN Bylaw 5.3: The commission requests a copy of the district’s policy manual for review under
Bylaw 3.9.2.2.3.

•

IN Bylaw 8.1.2.1 (b): It should be clarified that such additional representation is non-voting (Bylaw
5.3.2 [a]).

•

IN Bylaw 8.1.3.1: It may be better to use a word other than convocation (or to drop the words “in
convocation”) in describing the gatherings encouraged to be held in convention years (cf. Bylaw
5.4.1).

•

IN Bylaws 8.2.1.2–4: It may be clearer to state “…Elected B.O.D. and Elected Committees” to
make absolutely clear that the reference to committees in 8.2.1.3–4 is to those specifically listed in
8.2.1.2 and not to include other committees appointed by the board or otherwise. The commission
also notes that the Treasurer would now be appointed but remains a member of the B.O.D., so it is
no longer entirely “elected.”

•

IN Bylaw 8.2.1.4: The reference in (a) to Bylaw 4.1.1 should likely be to “H.B.” [sic] 4.3.1, in the
Synod Bylaws, where regional selections are treated. Or it may be to IN Bylaw 4.2, which notes
the designation of regions by the district in convention.
If the commission correctly understands (b), it may be clearer to say: “The board of directors shall
designate a representative to serve as an advisory member of each elected committee.”
CCM Minutes – January 7, 2025 – Page 53