LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 27-28, 1967, Page 3

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attention to the problem of the legal relationship between Synod and its Districts. Mueller was requested
to report this development to the Board of Directors.
521. Property Responsibility: Earlier in the day the Commission heard the tentative draft which Mr. Fred
Kuhlmann had prepared covering the necessary delegation of authority from the Synod to the Districts for
the administration of properties in the care and title of the Districts. The reaction of the Commission was
favorable.
522. Lay Executive Secretary: In answer to a question of Secretary Pollex of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan
District whether there was anything in the Constitution or Bylaws which prohibited the District from
calling a layman as an Executive Secretary, Mueller had answered in the negative and reported this to the
Commission.
523. Pilgrim, Houston: He also reported that Pilgrim of Houston had written to him inquiring whether it
was true that individual members of a congregation were not eligible to submit overtures.

H
Herbert Mueller, Secretary.

To Revise Handbook Section on Districts
During the past several years questions have arisen which indicate that clarification of the
Handbook section on synodical Districts is advisable. The Commission on Constitutional Matters has
been requested to give major consideration to this matter and now proposes the following changes:
A. ORGANIZATION
3.01 Purpose of Districts
The Synod establishes Districts in order more effectively to achieve its objects and carry on its
activities.
3.03 Formation of Districts
The Synod decides when and whether a District shall be formed, divided, merged with another or
other Districts, or dissolved; determines the boundaries of a District; and approves the name of a District.
3.05 Membership of Districts
The membership of a District consists of all those members of The Lutheran Church -Missouri
Synod (congregations, clergymen, and teachers) who have been received into the District at the time of
joining the Synod, who have been transferred frown another District, or who have been assigned to the
District by the Synod. Termination of membership in the Synod terminates membership in a District.
3.07 Relationship Between the Synod and Districts
a. The Synod is not merely an advisory body in relation to a District. A District is the Synod itself
performing the functions of the Synod. Each District shall carry out all resolutions of the Synod.
b. The Constitution of the Synod shall be the constitution of each District. The Bylaws of the
Synod shall be primarily the bylaws of the District. A District may adopt additional bylaws, regulations,
and resolutions necessary or proper for its own administration, or for effectively carrying on the work of
the Synod. Such bylaws, regulations, and resolutions shall not conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws
of the Synod. The bylaws or regulations of the District and any subsequent change therein shall be
submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters of the Synod for review and approval.