LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 13-14, 1968, Page 1

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the number of successive terms. It was decided to inform him that in view of Constitution Article XII, 5
and Bylaw 3.39 a the Commission holds that the terms of office in the Districts should be for four years
but that the Districts are free to decide the question of limitation of tenure, although the Commission
advises the Districts to follow the synodical policy (Bylaw 2.06) which is obviously designed to avoid the
building of little empires or dynasties.
131. Layman Submitting Overtures: On March 15 President Frincke had also inquired whether the
provision that an individual layman could not submit overtures applied also to District conventions. On
March 19 the Secretary had replied that the prohibition does indeed apply also to District conventions.
The Commission formally approved the Secretary's letter.
132. Woman Delegate: The Commission also gave formal approval to the Secretary's letter addressed to
Reverend John E. Graudin of the Southeastern District with reference to the question of whether women
could serve as delegates to a District convention.
133. Pastor in Protest: On April 17 President Scherer of the Missouri District had asked about a pastor
who before signing the Constitution declares that he is in a state of protest against the Synod. The
Secretary had answered: "l. If a pastor even before signing the Constitution declares that he is in a state of
protest against the Synod, if I were the District President I do not think that I would even permit him to
sign the Constitution of the Synod. In my estimation this would involve a fundamental contradiction. 2.
Since he is not a member of the Synod until he has signed the Constitution, it is obvious that he then
would not be able to serve as the pastoral delegate." The Commission gave formal approval to the
opinions expressed in these two points.
134. Colloquized Pastors: In answer to a question from President Heckmann of the Texas District the
Secretary had written suggesting that in the case of two former parochial school teachers who were now
being received officially as pastoral members it might be wise to ask them to sign the Constitution once
again. The Commission approved this letter.
135. Suspension of Pastor, -£ej.e-H!i~: The Commission also ratified the letter which Chairman Kuenne
had addressed to E. J. Friedrich with reference to the procedures involved in the suspension of a pastor.
136. Texas District Vice-Presidents: President Heckmann of the Texas District had submitted a
resolution adopted by the District convention providing that vice-presidential vacancies be filled by the
District Board of Directors. The Commission concluded that the action of the Texas District convention
is permissible under the broad provisions of 3.31. The Commission decided to suggest, however, that a
vicepresident so chosen occupy the lowest rank among the vice-presidents.
137. Confessional Article, Chinese Congregation: In answer to the request for a ruling from President
Jacobs of the California-Nevada District, the Commission adopted the following reply:
"You have inquired as to the constitutionality of a resolution of your District convention permitting
the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit (Chinese) of San Francisco to incorporate in the
confessional article of its constitution only those Lutheran symbols which have already been
translated into the Chinese language.
The Synod's Constitution, Article VI, 1 states: "Conditions for acquiring and holding membership
in Synod are: 1. Acceptance of the confessional basis of Article II." See also Article II of the
Constitution.