LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — October 26 -28, 1966, Page 2

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difficulty involving First Lutheran Church in Birmingham and its former pastor, Martin Buerger. 8e
raised some questions concerning procedures. The Commission finally resolved to inform him of the
following: The Handbook sets up administrative procedures which the District President is to follow in an
attempt to adjudicate difficulties. If the District Board of Directors with the consent of the District
President has set up procedures to be helpful in this respect, the Commission holds that this is
permissible. The Commission feels that this is the only constitutional issue at this particular point.
Furthermore, the Commission decided to inform Mr. Allenstein that if and when Pastor Buerger chooses
to lodge a complaint, it is the opinion of the Commission that the Handbook furnishes ample guidance
regarding procedure from that point.
436. Voting Age: The Constitution Committee of the Southern California District requested a reaction
regarding the lowering of the voting age in congregations. It was resolved to inform the committee that
there is nothing in the constitution or bylaws of the Synod that forbids lowering the age limit to 18, but
that state laws should be checked concerning voting rights in corporations. If it is contemplated to lower
the age even below 18 the Commission reserves to itself the right to make additional comment.
437. New York Convention Registration: It was resolved to register all members of the Commission for
the New York convention and to request Dr. Wolbrecht to provide for the payments of the three members
of the Commission who are not otherwise covered.
438. Convention Report: A mimeographed announcement from the Executive Director's office was read
reminding all boards and commissions to submit their convention reports to the Board of Directors for
prior evaluation. The Chair ruled that this does not apply to the Commission on Constitutional Matters.
However, the Secretary will try to have the Commission's report ready for consideration at the next
meeting.
439. District Documents: The Commission then proceeded to a report on the various Articles of
Incorporation sad Bylaws studied by the individual members. Kuenne gave the following three
evaluations.
440. Texas District: the Articles of Incorporation are not yet on hand, only the amendments. The Bylaws
are also missing.
441. Northwest: The objects are rather general. The last clause does improve the Article, but the object of
determining ecclesiastical relations with other bodies is a responsibility restricted to the Synod itself. The
bylaws were received first at this meeting.
442. Atlantic: Very brief Articles of Incorporation which list no tie-in with 'the Synod.
443. Distribution of Minutes: By a divided vote the Commission decided to make the minutes available
hereafter also to the Chairman of the Division of Church Government and to the Central File.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Reports on Previous Assimouents (New York Convention Items)
444. Secular Calling and Rosters (see 407): The communication was sent to the Council of Presidents
(Mueller).