LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 12, 1967, Page 2

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555. Goetjen Covering Letter: The Commission then adopted the following covering letter to be mailed to
Pastor Goetjen together with the opinions
"The Commission on Constitutional Matters has given final approval..to an opinion relative to the
basic question involved in your letter. We are enclosing a copy and are also forwarding a copy to
President Victor L. 8ehaken of the Southern California District.
Each of the examples cited in President Behnken's letter to you as the consensus of our Commission, if
persisted in, could constitute the divisive and unbrotherly conduct referred to in the enclosed opinion.
With respect to the many other questions contained in your letter of June 1, 1967, the Commission has
instructed me to inform you that it considers only constitutional questions and that, having rendered an
opinion, it does not enter into dialogue and debate with reference to it. This is in harmony with the
directives given to the Commission by the Synod."
556. Lutheran News: On ~ Lutheran News had sent a letter to the secretary asking whether the consensus
quoted by Pastor Goetjen was the official opinion of the Commission and, if so, when it had been
adopted. The Commission decided to send the following reply to Lutheran News:
"Gentlemen:
The statement which you quoted in your letter of May 31, 1967 was not official7.y adapted in any
meeting of the Commission on Constitutional Matters. It was merely an expression of a consensus
arrived at in preliminary deliberations.
An official opinion has now been adopted and has been submitted to the parties concerned."
557. Luessenhop closed the meeting with a prayer.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

MINUTES OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Chicao, Illinois, October 16-17, 1967
1. All members were present except Dr. Paul Streufert. Sommermeyer opened the meeting with prayer.
The minutes of June 12 were approved as submitted, in amended form (556).
2. Organization: It was reported that Kuenne and Luessenhop had been reappointed to 4-year terms by
President Harms. By formal motions Kuenne was elected Chairman and Jersild Vice-Chairman. It was
agreed by common consent that for the next two years the Commission would meet on the first Thursday
and the following Friday of the last month of each quarter. Additional meetings will be called as needed.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -3. Handbook Revision: Secretary Mueller presented a paste-up manuscript of the propose revised
Handbook, incorporating all of the changes adopted by the New York convention. See Resolutions 2-09;
2-24; 3-21; 4-02; 4-06; 4-07; 4-12; 416; 4-21; 4-22; 4-34; 4-38; 4-41; 4-43; 4-44; 4-45; 4-46; 5-02; 5-o4;
5-05; 5-06; 5-0T; 5-13; 5-15; 5-16; 5-17; 5-18; 5-19; 5-34; 6-17; 9-09; 10-03; 11-01; 11-08; 13-19; and