LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 5-6, 1966, Page 4

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361. Woman Suffrage - Dr. Bouman: The Secretary was asked to call Dr. Bouman to see whether he will
be able to meet with the Commission on the following day with regard to woman suffrage as a
representative of the CTCR. On Friday morning the Secretary reported that Dr. Bouman would not be
available.
362. Meeting Date: It was resolved to meet June 30 and July 1, .either in St. Louis or in Chicago. The
Secretary is to notify Dr. Bouman of these plans so that the desired meeting may be held.
363. Pastoral Terminology: Luessenhop was requested to update his study on terminology for pastors and
ministers within the next few months.
364. Federal Aid to Colleges: The Board for Higher Education requested the Commission to give an
interpretation of the action of the Detroit convention in tabling indefinitely Resolution 6-44 regarding
financial aid for colleges from tax funds. The Commission resolved that in its opinion the action of the
convention in tabling this resolution did not constitute a prohibition, that the previous status quo therefore
prevails, and that consequently the question of financial aid from tax funds is a judgment question which
the pertinent boards must decide until a convention takes some decisive and definitive action. The
Commission held that it would not be able to write a Handbook bylaw prohibiting the acceptance of such
financial aid on the basis of a tabling action, and that therefore the resolution could not be interpreted to
be prohibitive.
365. Portland Surplus Property: The Board for Higher Education reported that our Concordia, Portland
wishes to apply for the awarding of United States surplus property in the amount of 24 acres. The BHE
inquires whether this requires convention action or whether the Board of Directors has the authority to
proceed. The Commission held that especially on the basis of 6.05 and 2.87 sufficient authority rests with
the Board of Directors to take such a step and that convention action is not required.
366. District Documents: Fred Kuhlmann has turned over the current file of District Articles of
Incorporation, Constitutions, and Bylaws. The Chairman will check these existing documents and report
to the Commission whether in his opinion any changes need to be recommended to the Districts. It was
agreed that new documents being presented for the approval of the Commission would still be dealt with
on the basis of the procedure adopted previously (paragraph 337). The Secretary will check Mr.
Kuhlmann's list of documents against the documents already on file in his office.
367. Synod - District Relationship: Extensive correspondence was introduced by the Chairman
concerning the relationship of Districts to the Synod. The Board of Directors has asked the Commission
to draft desirable bylaws for submission to the New York convention. It was felt that perhaps an addition
to 3.01 could declare that the District articles of incorporation are to state the two objects passed upon by
the Commission earlier in the day (see paragraph 357). It was also suggested that perhaps Article XII of
the constitution could state that Districts cannot sever their relationship to the Synod. The Commission
agreed to give further consideration to the whole problem at the next meeting.
368. Messiah, Seattle: The Chairman reported that Messiah of Seattle had requested a ruling concerning a
woman suffrage paragraph in its constitution in October, 1964. It seems that the Commission did react but
apparently the opinion was never transmitted.
369. Woman Suffrage: Intensive study was given to the rough draft of a statement on woman suffrage
prepared by Sommermeyer. The Commission finally adopted the following version: