LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — October 30-31, 1969, Page 1

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

Robert's Rules of Order was the parliamentary authority used by the Chairman of the convention.
This authority states that "In moving the adoption of a resolution, the preamble is not generally referred
to, as it is included in the resolution" (p. 35). On this authority the entire document -- "'Preamble,"
"Whereases," and "Resolveds" -- forms a complete unit. Resolution 3-15 was printed, read, debated, and
finally adopted by the Synod as a complete document.
The Commission on Constitutional Matters, after giving careful. study and consideration to the
questions and challenges listed above, finds nothing unconstitutional in the action of the Denver
convention in adopting Resolution 3-15 or in the resolution itself.
The President of the Synod indicated already at the convention that in the event Resolution 3-15
would be adopted he would proceed to implement it. This is in accord with the requirement of Article XI,
B, 4 of the Constitution which says: "The President shall see to it that the resolutions of the Synod are
carried out."
COMMI ION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTRRS
Herbert Mueller, Secretary.

MINUTES OF MEETING OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
St. Louis, Missouri, October 30-31, 1969
18. Organization: Streufert opened the meeting with a prayer. Chairman Kuenne reported that
Sommermeyer had been reappointed to a four-year term, that Jersild also had been reappointed, but had
declined because of his law practice, that Frederick Polzin had been appointed to a four-year term to
succeed Jersild, that Streufert had been reappointed as advisory member, and that Mueller would be
filling the office of Secretary of the Synod now on a full-time basis at the request of the Board of
Directors. Luessenhop and Polzin were unable to be present for the meeting. Luessenhop was elected
vice-chairman. The minutes of August 18-19, 1969 were approved as submitted.
19. Opinion on Denver Resolution 3-15: The commission formally ratified the final draft of its opinion on
Denver resolution 3-15 (ALC fellowship) as attached to the previous set of minutes.
20. Opinion on Dissenting Groups and Activities: It also confirmed the final wording of its opinion on
dissenting groups and activities as attached to the present minutes.
21. Vice-Presidents Holding More than One. Office: The commission had ruled previously on the
question of whether vice-presidents were able to hold more than two offices when some of these needed
to be filled by virtue of their vice-presidency. In order to avoid misunderstanding, the commission now
adopted a further clarification: all assignments which a vice-president fills because he is a vice-president
should be regarded as one position that he is filling. In addition, then, he would be eligible to serve in one
more appointive position; but not in any other elective position (The commission had already ruled
previously that an "elective" position is one which is filled through election by a convention of the Synod
or of a District). In this sense, By-Law 2.15 applies also to the vice-presidents.
With Dr. Preus present, the following items were discussed: