LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 22-23, 1970, Page 4

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

1. The Commission finds nothing unconstitutional in the first three resolveds of Denver
Resolution 1-15A as long as any interpretation or application of "cooperative ministry" does not
conflict with Article VI of the Constitution;
2. With respect to the fourth Resolved the Commission rules that it would be unconstitutional
for any District to act unilaterally in changing its bylaws before the Synod itself has acted on the
recommendations referred to in the third Resolved; and
3. The Commission again calls attention to the fact that Districts do not have constitutions of
their own but that the Constitution of the Synod is also the constitution of all Districts
(Constitution, Article XII, 2).
82. Inter-Lutheran Missionary Pre-Field Training Program (Ag. 60 and 61): Pastors J. Robert
Cunningham of Sanborn, Iowa and Waldo Werning of Milwaukee had asked for a ruling on this program
authorized and approved in Denver Resolution 2-26. After detailed discussion the Commission adopted
the following ruling: .
The Commission finds nothing unconstitutional in Resolution 2-26, but it holds that the
implementation lies beyond the province of the Commission on Constitutional Matters and that
it is not the Commission's responsibility to pass judgement on alleged aberrations.
If in fact joint communion services were held with the LCA or other activities contrary to
paragraph c of Resolution 2-26 did indeed take place, the Commission holds that such actions
would have gone beyond the scope of Resolution 2-26 and would have been in violation of
Article VI of the Constitution.
If those who have asked for a ruling feel that certain actions at the mission school were indeed
out of harmony with the principles set forth in Resolution 2-26 and in Article VI, the proper
procedure would be for them to approach in turn the Board for Missions, the President of the
Synod, and finally, if need be, the convention itself (Bylaw 2.13).
83. Opinion Regarding Dissenting Groups and Activities Within the Synod: The Commission took note of
favorable and unfavorable letters received regarding its opinion. Pastor Marcus Lang and Dr. Bertwin
Frey had expressly requested the Commission to reconsider and to withdraw the opinion. It was resolved
to inform both men that we have reviewed the opinion and have found no reason to alter it or to withdraw
it, and to assure them that the opinion had been issued in loving concern for our synodical fellowship.
Polzin stated that he had abstained from voting on this motion since he had not participated in the drafting
of the opinion. (Ag. 69, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45).
84. Women Delegates to Conventions(Ag. 66 and 89): Presidents Arnold Kuntz and Herman Scherer (by
phone) had raised the question of whether women could serve as delegates to conventions. The
Commission adopted the following ruling:
In the light of recent convention resolutions it is permissible for a woman who has reached the
legal age of majority to serve as a delegate of a congregation to a District convention. A woman
may also be chosen to serve as lay delegate to a convention of the Synod; however, in view of
the fact that not all congregations have woman suffrage it is the opinion of the Commission that
it would be wise for the pertinent circuit meeting at which the election of delegates takes place
to give its consent by the majority vote of the qualified congregational representatives present.