LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 26, 1967, Page 3

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reword this statement to read: "...by a general convention or governing board of a recognized synodical
auxiliary."
494. Secretary: In response to a suggestion from Dr. Wolbrecht it was decided in the next edition of the
Handbook to eliminate 2.175 a 5, since the position of Secretary is not in fact a full-time position at the
present time.
495. Division Listing, 2.175a: Dr. Wolbrecht had inquired whether any change in the listing of divisions
would require convention action. The Commission held that it would require such action since the word
"shall" is used.
496. Retirement Provisions, 2.105 a 2: In response to a question raised by Dr. Wolbrecht, the Commission
decided to retain this section at least until it becomes completely obsolete in 1971.
The Commission thanked Dr. Wolbrecht for his appearance.
497. Convention Report: Attention was given to the rough draft of the convention report prepared by the
Secretary. Suggestions for several minor changes were noted. The following new wording was formally
adopted for the fourth last line on page 3: "On the propriety of private groups not recognized by the
Synod to receive and disburse funds for the Synod's mission work." If Luessenhop reports favorable
reaction from the pension and welfare executives, it was decided that the new Chapter X be submitted as
a memorial to the convention. It was also noted that paragraph I will now be in the Board of Directors'
report and need not be included in the Commission's report. It was decided to restate point C on page 5 to
read: "The matter is under study by both the Council of Presidents and the Commission."
498. Meeting Dates: These were set for Easter Monday and Tuesday.
499. Property Duties, Board of Directors (see 428): Close study was given to the tentative bylaw 2.87
drafted by Legal Counsel Fred Kuhlmann. The Commission decided warmly to approve in principle this
draft as a correct exposition of the philosophy of the Missouri Synod with respect to property owned by it
and by organizations under its aegis. It is also to be reported to Mr. Kuhlmann that the Commission
wonders whether it might be wise to separate the two lengthy sentences revolving around the expression
"provided that;" whether it might be wise to say "with respect to specific..." instead of using "certain" for
the second time in succession; and whether there is any better term for "agencies."
500. Ontario Question Re CTCR: Secretary T. Pfotenhauer of the Ontario District had inquired whether
the reference to "its members" in 2.109 a was to the members of the Synod or to the members of the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations. The Commission formally approved the rather obvious
reply that Secretary Mueller had sent in answer to this question.
501. Synod and Districts: The Secretary called attention to the fact that the March, 19 meeting of the
Board of Directors had placed the entire subject of District bylaw amendments and other changes
affecting the legal relationship of the Synod and its Districts into the hands of the Commission, to report
back to the Board prior to the New York convention. He further reminded the Commission that the Board
of Directors had also adopted a resolution to the effect that the Synod regards the problem of clarifying
the legal relationship between the Synod and its Districts as one which merits high priority study and
requested the Commission on Constitutional Matters to present a draft of desirable bylaw changes for
possible submission to the New York convention. Kuenne will work on these matters.
502. Convention Overtures: The Secretary reported that the following overtures received to date might be
of interest to the Commission for some consideration prior to the appearance of the Workbook: