LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 25, 1967, Page 1

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3.33 Majority of Votes (same as present 3.35) 3.35 Plural Offices (same as present 3.33) 3.37 Conflict of
Interest (same as present 3.34)
D. DUTIES OF DISTRICT PRESIDENTS
3.41 Relation to President of the Synod (same as present 3.23)
3.43 Report to District Convention (same as present 3.25)
3.45 Duties as Advisor (same as present 3.41)
3.47 Official Visits and Investigations (same as present 3.43)
3.49 Official Roster of Pastors and Teachers (same as present 3.45)
MINUTES OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
St. Louis Missouri, May 25, 1967
524. Vice-President Paul Streufert opened the meeting with prayer. Kuenne presided. All regular and
advisory members were present. The minutes of March 27-28 were approved as submitted.
525. GoetJen Case: Pastor Reinhold Goetjen of the Southern California District had written asking
questions concerning his eligibility to serve as a delegate to the New York convention after being
suspended by President V. L. Behnken. The Commission adopted the repay: "We are of the opinion that
your questions are answered especially inn Bylaw 5.31 of the synodical Handbook. There it is made very
clear (1) that a District President has the right to suspend, and (2) that 'during the period of suspension the
member shall be relieved of his rights as a member of the Synod and of the duties and responsibilities of
his office.' Therefore your suspension autooaticly makes you ineligible to serve as a delegate to the New
York convention of the Synod." It was also decided formally to forward a copy of our answer as well as a
copy of the original letter from Goetjen to Dr. Harms and President Behnken.
526. Southern California Board of Appeals: President Behnken had called attention to the fact that his
District had not conformed to the Detroit resolution adopting new Handbook provisions concerning the
constitution of District Boards of Appeal. The Commission decided to inform President Behnken that it
would be necessary for the District board to be reconstituted and that, if he wished to have suggestions as
to how this might be done, the recommendations of the Commission could be relayed to him through
Chairman Kuenne.
527. District Boards of Appeal: It was decided to send a communication to all District Presidents asking
them to determine whether their District Board of Appeals has been brought into harmony with the new
Handbook provisions and, if necessary, asking that the Boards be reconstituted immediately, with the
Commission on Constitutional Matters willing to supply information and suggestions if requested to do
so.
528. Official Rosters: The Commission took note of the May 10 reply received from the Council of
Presidents in answer to our questions concerning the problem of keeping the current official roster of
pastors and teachers up to date. It was decided that both groups should continue further study of the
problem and that in the meantime no changes in the Handbook would be recommended.