LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 13-14, 1969, Page 1

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220. The Chair called upon Luessenhop to offer the opening prayer. The minutes of the February 13-14,
1969 meeting stood approved as submitted. The Chairman reported on the budget allocations for the
Commission and read various communications from the Executive Director which were to be noted in the
minutes. It was agreed that a contribution of $5.00 should be sent to the Concordia Historical Institute for
providing us with Xerox copies of a 1933 Lutheran Witness article.
221. Woman Suffrage: Chairman Kuenne reported that he had written the customary letter to Reverend
William B. Reinhardt of Ohio who had inquired about woman suffrage.
222. Voting Age: He had also written the customary letter to Pastor Lester Dumer, Chairman of the
Kansas District Constitution Committee, who had inquired about lowering the voting age in
congregations to 18.
223. Terms of Foundation Trustees: Legal Counsel had inquired whether it would be necessary to have
convention action to approve the change of the terms of office of Foundation Trustees frown three to. four
years. The Chairman will pursue this question with Dr. Wolbrecht.
Dr. Wolbrecht had addressed several inquiries to the Chairman. The Commission took the following
actions:
224. Two-Thirds Vote Required for A»propriations (Bylaw 9.01): Dr. Wolbrecht had asked whether this
bylaw is constitutional. The Commission came to the conclusion that the bylaw is indeed unconstitutional
and decided to remove it frown the next edition of the Handbook,. It resolved to inform Dr. Wolbrecht of
this fact and also to advise him that if the administration thinks that a 2/3 vote is important for
appropriations, the administration should take steps toward a constitutional amendment providing for the
same.
225. Congregations DemittinA: Dr. Wolbrecht also raised the question of whether the Synod does not
need a bylaw paragraph defining more precisely the procedures that ought to be required when
congregations demit. The Commission decided to take this question up after the Denver convention.
226. Constitution Re-Write: The Executive Director had also asked whether it might not be advisable to
take steps at this time for a complete re-writing of the constitution. The Commission resolved that while it
has long recognized the need of major revisions, it feels that this is not the opportune time for the
Commission itself to propose it. The Commission is also aware that an overture from the Commission on
Mission and Ministry in the Church calls for similar action.
227. Delegation of Duties: Dr. Wolbrecht had also asked whether 2.27 h could not be improved with the
wording: "The President shall have the right to delegate to a Vice-President certain duties of his office
and shall hold him responsible for his performance since final accountability remains with the President."
The Commission decided, however, that this would change the meaning of the paragraph and that it was
not in the Commission's estimation an improvement.
228. Approval of Manuscript: Dr. Wolbrecht's suggestion to have 2.29 d read: "The President shall
approve the manuscript of convention proceedings before it is published by the Secretary," will be given
consideration when the next Handbook is prepared.
229. D. Lueking and Article VI: Pastor Happel of the Northern Illinois District had written that Dr. Dean
Lueking wished to discuss with the Commission changes in Article VI, 2, regarding unionism,
syncretism, and relations with heterodox congregations. The Commission formally approved the