LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 10-11, 1970, Page 2

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251. Joint Campus Work in Canada (Ag. 180 and 183, 183B): President Albin Stanfel of the Ontario
District, Reverend John Korcok, Reverend C. F. Wagner, and Reverend Roger J. Humann had raised
serious questions regarding the constitutionality of proposed joint work among Lutheran Synods on
Canadian campuses. The Commission ruled that this is essentially a fellowship question and that it does
not properly belong first of all before the Commission on Constitutional Matters and therefore suggested
that the petitioners refer the matter to the CTCR.
252. Emeritus Pastor as Delegate (Ag. 217): President Mennicke of the Minnesota North District has
asked whether an emeritus who though not called by a congregation has been serving it for 4 years may
be elected as a voting delegate to a synodical convention. The Secretary had answered in the negative.
The Commission formally approved his answer.
253. Assistant and Associate Pastors as Delegates: In answer to a request from President Goetz of North
Wisconsin the Secretary had answered that on the basis of previous rulings assistant pastors were not
eligible to serve as voting delegates but that associate pastors were eligible. The Commission approved
this reply (Ag. 218).
254. Point of Order Regarding Unanimous Vote (Ag. 221): The chairman of St. John's congregation in
Champaign, Illinois at the request of the pastor had inquired what the congregation should do since a
member had raised a point of order regarding the place of women in the church on the basis that this is a
matter of conscience which according to the congregation's Constitution requires a unanimous vote for
decision. The Commission ruled that although it may not be wise a congregation has the right to decide
that certain matters must be settled by a unanimous vote; if there is dissatisfaction with this arrangement,
the congregation will need to follow the procedures prescribed in its own constitution for amending its
constitution. The Commission also ruled that it would be advisable for the congregation to seek legal
advice (Ag.221)
255. Fellowship with other Christians: The California-Nevada District in convention had requested the
CCM to rule on the constitutionality of two paragraphs in one of the convention resolutions:
3.

Resolved, That the pastors and/or congregations of the California-Nevada District be
encouraged to consider the validity of practicing altar fellowship with any Christian
who is in agreement with Article II-Confession;

5.

Resolved, That the pastors of our District likewise be encouraged to consider the
validity of practicing pulpit fellowship with other Christians whenever the Christian
witness to the Gospel can be enhanced by such action.

The Commission ruled that Bylaw 3.07e makes it plain that the responsibility for establishing fellowship
rests with the Synod itself and not with a District or individual congregations or pastors (Ag. 175).
256. Eligibility of Pastor: Reverend R. J. McMiller had written to President Preus asking how the Synod
could possibly stand in the way of a man assuming a pastorate as long as he subscribes to the Scriptures
and to the Lutheran Confessions. President Preus had asked the Secretary to answer. The Secretary
indicated in the letter that the Synod has developed certain procedures in order to achieve its objectives
and that these procedures called for certain decisions to be made by certain responsible people. The
Commission approved the letter (Ag. 177).
257. Right to Submit Overtures (Ag. 178): President Goetz of North Wisconsin had asked whether the
bylaw that no individual could submit overtures to a convention of the Synod applied also to the