LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 22-23, 1970, Page 5

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85. Von Spreckelsen: The Commission took note of William von Spreckelsen's letter
supporting the
Commission's opinion on Resolution 3-15 concerning fellowship with The American Lutheran Church
(Ag. 32).
86. Full Time Presidency, Colorado District: It was felt that no action was needed on this item of
information (Ag. 33).
87. Otten Correspondence: The secretary reported briefly on Herman Otten's continuing correspondence
asking whether Resolution 5-23 applied to him (Ag. 34).
88. Guidelines Request: No action was needed on requests for Guidelines from various congregations
(Ag. 35 and 83).
89. Executive Secretary, CTCR: The Commission formally approved the rewording of Handbook
paragraph 2.109 f which had been formulated through extensive telephone consultation (Ag. 36):
"The commission may appoint an Executive Secretary, subject to the approval of the President
of the Synod, to renewable 4-year terms. His duties shall be established by the commission."
90. Executive Secretary for Medical Missions: The Commission formally approved the elimination of this
line from 2.83 b in the Handbook in view of 8.75 (Ag. 37).
91. Sundance, Wyoming: It was decided that the movement of the parish involving the Sundance,
Wyoming congregation from one District to another would need to come before a convention of the
Synod according to 3.03 (Ag. 38).
92. Assistant Pastor, Counselor: In answer to a request from Secretary Elton Bauerkemper of the Texas
District,the Commission ruled that it was permissible for an assistant pastor to serve as a Circuit
Counselor (Ag. 53).
93. Procedures in Nominating Counselor: In answer to another request from the same source the
Commission ruled: 1) That only a majority of actual votes cast would be needed to determine the
candidate for Counselor, and 2) that an ultimate tie should be broken by the convention through a regular
balloting process although all other nominees are elected by a simple motion of ratification (Ag. 54).
94. Voting Rights for Pastors (Ag. 54-A): The same person had asked for a ruling regarding voting rights
of assistant pastors and associate pastors. The Commission ruled that under Article V, 3 an assistant
pastor could not be seated as a voting delegate at a convention. It ruled that an associate pastor could be
seated as a voting delegate only if the other pastor in the congregation was not exercising the pastoral vote
and only if the congregation itself had plainly stipulated that he was indeed the co-pastor and not simply
an assistant pastor (regardless of terminology) or simply associated with the pastor of the congregation.
Where there are genuine co-pastors, the congregation needs to decide which pastor should cast its pastoral
vote (Article V, A).
95. Worship Commission Review: In answer to a request from Pastor Delaney of the Commission on Worship
the Commission ruled that bylaw 11.113 b 2 states that all literature related to corporate Christian worship should
be cleared with the Commission and that the words must be taken precisely as they read at present. (Ag.
5).
96. Handbook Delay: The secretary reported briefly on this problem. CPH does not seem to have any
acceptable explanation (Ag. 57).