LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 23-24, 1970, Page 1

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has taken in this matter ("de iure humano" rather than "de iure divino" -by human right rather than divine
right) at this point. It is therefore assumed that the Synod may further define its position in the future,
thereby making it necessary perhaps to refine the suggestions being offered herewith.
Privileges of Women
Women who have reached the age of
(1) may hold voting membership in the congregation
and serve as officers and as members of boards and committees as long as these positions are not
directly involved in the specific functions of the pastoral office (preaching, the public
administration of the sacraments, church discipline) and as long as this service does not violate
the order of creation (usurping authority over men). Accordingly, they shall not serve as pastor, as
a member of (2) , as chairman or vice chairman of the congregation, or as chairman of (3) .
(1) The age given shall be at least the majority age established by state law.
(2) Here shall be listed the Board of Elders or corresponding board directly involved in the functions of
the pastoral office.
(3) Here the congregation may list at its discretion those major policy and decision making boards or
standing committees, if any, whose chairmanship the congregation might wish to restrict to men.
THE COMMISSION ON CONTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Herbert Mueller, Secretary
1/23/70

MINUTES OF MEETING OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
St. Louis, Missouri, April 23-24, 1970
111. Streufert opened the meeting with prayer. All members were present. The minutes of January 22-23,
1970 were formally approved as submitted.
112. Nominating and Election Procedures, District Presidents and Vice Presidents, South Wisconsin
District: Representatives of the District had asked for an opportunity to plead their case in requesting a
reversal of the Commission's earlier ruling. Chairman Kuenne had therefore invited both the Indiana and
the Central Illinois Districts, which had been similarly affected, to have representatives present. The
Indiana District replied that it felt that it was not necessary to appear. However, the new and retiring
presidents of the Central Illinois District, Rudolph A. Haak and Lewis Niemoeller, were in attendance.
The presentation was made by Reverend Mark Wegner and Attorney Tesch of the South Wisconsin
District. Later, in executive session the Committee made five rulings in view of which it held that the
District should destroy the ballots received from the voters assemblies since they would be prejudicial in
nature and that the District must permit the delegates to nominate by means of the traditional write-in
procedure any clergyman, parish pastor or other, who is on the clergy roster of the Synod and who holds
membership in a congregation of the Synod. On the following day the Commission approved the exact
draft of the letter (attached to minutes) (Agenda 99, 100, 128,
132a, 136, 137)
113. Notifications to Others: It was resolved to send copies of this letter together with covering letters to
Professor Wilbur Koester, who had also requested a ruling, the Central Illinois District, the English
District, the Indiana District, the California-Nevada District. It was also suggested that the Vice