LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 5-6, 1966, Page 2

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member congregations, and finally a statement covering applicant congregations. It was resolved to
communicate these concerns to the Commission on Social Action through Luessenhop.
350. Concordia Publishing House Bylaw Changes: Since Legal Counsel had indicated no objection, the
Commission formally approved the two minor changes made by CPH in its bylaws printed in the new
Handbook (11.03d "third Thursday" and 11.11, line 6 "powers and duties").
351. GoetJen Inquiry: Under date of March 2 Pastor R. H. Goetjen of North Hollywood, California had
addressed five questions to the Commission regarding procedures in case of difficulty between
congregations and pastors and the respective District officials and convention. He had requested answers
by April 12. Since the Commission did not meet before that date, it was decided to inform Pastor Goetjen
1) that we hope that the concerns expressed in the letter no longer exist, but 2) that if they do still exist, it
is ordinarily not our policy to answer questions on a hypothetical basis but to require a statement of the
actual situation and of the specific points at issue.
352. Minnesota Appeals Board Opinion: Chairman Kuenne agreed to write to Julius Friedrich requesting
a definite answer as to whether Synod's Board of Appeals concurs in our Commission's opinion (328)
addressed to the Minnesota South Board of Appeals. He will also request the Synodical Board of Appeals
to supply enough copies of the detailed regulations developed by said board in harmony with Handbook
requirements.
353. Schuth (331): Mueller reported that Mission Secretary Schuth of Northern Illinois had merely asked
for some personal reactions to his proposed constitution for mission congregations and that no
Commission action was required.
354. Ontario Bylaws (321): Kuenne will write to the Ontario District regarding its proposed bylaws and
will also incorporate Mueller's views.
355. Fuerbringer Retirement Opinion (330): The Chairman has been in conversation with Pastor Loose
regarding the question raised previously by the St. Louis Board of Control with reference to the
mandatory retirement provision for President Fuerbringer. The Commission had rendered an opinion in
February of 1965 but apparently it had never been forwarded. Pastor Loose will inform us whether his
board feels that the request should be reviewed anew by our Commission or whether they will accept the
previous opinion.
356. Western (Missouri) District Bylaws: After a lengthy discussion of the proposed bylaws for the new
Missouri District, it was finally decided to inform the District Division Committee that we find nothing in
conflict with the constitution and bylaws of Synod, but that we offer the following suggestions: that the
District take another close look especially at the paragraphs involving the number and kind of staff
officers, their responsibility to their respective operating boards, and the relationship of the operating
boards to the corresponding boards in the Synod (e.g., Synodical Handbook 8.29, 7.x+5, 15.09 b 3); that
the constitution of the Synod and not just the bylaws should be named in 1.01, B, C, D, and 1.03; that the
wording regarding the election of two pastors to the Board of Directors in 3.01 be clarified. It was also
decided to ask for the articles of incorporation for our review.
357. Objects Paragraph, Articles of Incorporation (Mid-South and Other Districts): The Western District
Division Committee had also submitted the articles of incorporation and the "formative plan" of the new
Mid-South District for review. Mueller was requested to submit a suggested new wording covering the
objects of the corporation. The suggestion, presented on the following day:
"The objects of this corporation shall be: