LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 30 - July 1, 1966, Page 1

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377. Social Action Statement Re Membership Bias: Luessenhop reported that Dr. Caemmerer would
present to the Sept embemeeting of the Commission on Social Action our concerns regarding the
statement declining membership to applicant congregations which practice a selectivity based on racial or
ethnic origin (see 349).
378. Social Action Bylaws: After hearing the objections voiced by Dr. Caemmerer to the Handbook
bylaws governing the Commission on Social Action, the Commission resolved to notify our sister
commission that we continue to feel that the bylaws are adequate and in harmony with the Detroit
resolution.
379. Votes Needed for Reception Into Membership (Ontario): President Philip Pleas of the Ontario
District had asked what kind of vote is needed for receiving an individual or congregation into
membership. The Commission formally approved the letter sent by Secretary Mueller to President Fleas
under date of May 18, stating in general that "majority vote" is usually understood to mean a simple
majority unless otherwise specifically indicated. At this point Dr. Wolbrecht joined the meeting.
380. Northern Nebraska Bylaws: Kuenne reported that he had checked the bylaws submitted by the
Northern Nebraska District and had found nothing in opposition to the constitution and bylaws of the
Synod, but felt that certain sections could be refined in the proposed revision. The Commission adopted
this judgment as its own and authorized Kuenne so to notify the Northern Nebraska District.
381. Campus Congregations: Luessenhop distributed a statement that he had prepared with reference to
campus congregations. The Commission adopted this as its opinion on the status of campus congregations
with the understanding that Luessenhap would rewrite the docment in the form of an opinion and add a
statement to the effect that synodical standards of membership in congregations are to be observed and
that no one shall be a member of two congregations at one time. He will also incorporate a statement to
the effect that state laws should be checked as to the legality of the voting age proposed for the
congregation.
382. The Commission also resolved that President Victor Behnken of the Southern California District
should receive a formal answer based upon Lnessenhop's document (see 348).
383. Use of the Term "Pastor: Luessenhop also distributed the statement that he had prepared on the use
of the term "pastor" (see 363). It was decided to request the Council of Administrators to make a study to
determine what is meant by "pastor" in the instance of each board and commission, and also to inform us
whether any restrictive terminology should be employed with reference to teachers, professors, or laymen
on any board or committee (as, for instance, the Board o! Appeals at present).
304. Northern Nebraska Articles of Incorporation: Dr. Wolbrecht inquired what had happened to the
Articles of Incorporation of the Northern Nebraska District. Chairman Kuenne stated that he had not had
time to transmit the critique to the District (see 359).
385. Manual of Operations: Dr. Wolbrecht also reported that the Council of Administrators was finding it
difficult to determine what should be deleted from the Handbook and incorporated in a proposed Manual
of Operations. The trend of thinking seems to be in favor of retaining to a large extent the present
Handbook, with acme items dropped or abbreviated, such as the philosophy of education in Art. VII.
386. Missouri District: It was briefly reported that the Articles of Incorporation of the Western District
would continue to be used for the Missouri District but that the adoption of bylaws had been postponed
for two years.