LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 18-19, 1971, Page 1

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354. Reinstatement: The Secretary had reminded President Carl Heckmann of the Texas District in
answer to his letter that the commission had encouraged the Council of Presidents to offer additional
bylaws regarding reinstatement. The commission approved this answer (Ag. 23a).
355. Vice Presidential Vacancies, Bylaw 2.38: The Secretary indicated that some people had raised
questions about the interpretation of 2.38 when Pastor Guido Merkers recently was asked to fill the
vacancy among the Vice Presidents of the Synod created by the death of Dr. Victor L. Behnken. The First
Vice President and the Secretary had assured the President that the bylaw certainly required the next
highest on the last ballot for Vice President to be asked to serve. Although no formal action was taken
since no request for a ruling had been received, the Secretary was permitted to place into the minutes the
general agreement of the commission to the interpretation that had been given.
356. Conflict of Interest: The Secretary called attention to various overtures that have been received
objecting to alleged conflict of interest on the part of the Secretary and also calling into question the
validity of the opinions of the commission because Vice President StreHfert and the Secretary had served
on the commission during the past two years. A general sharing-of insights followed.
The Secretary was called upon to close the meetin with prayer.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

MINUTES OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
June 18-19, 1971-St. Louis, Missouri
357. Sommermeyer, who was chosen as temporary chairman, spoke the opening prayer. All members
were present except Luessenhop, who was attending a funeral. The minutes of the previous meeting were
approved as submitted.
358. Bylaw Revisions: In explanation for the newer members, it was pointed out that the commission in
screening the bylaws of Districts usually focuses on certain specific items such as: election procedures,
relationship to Synod, church relations, approval of congregational constitutions, dissolution paragraphs,
Articles of Incorporation.
359. Missouri District Bylaws (Ag. 9): These were reassigned to Sommermeyer and Prevallet.
360. Board of Appeals Regulations (Ag. 10): It was agreed that any further consideration should be
postponed until the convention decides upon the proposals made by the ad hoc committee with respect to
commissions of adjudication, etc. (See 367).
361. Fact Finding Committee (Ag. 249): It was reported that there had been no further reaction from the
BHE or college presidents regarding the letter transmitted to them with reference to the opinions on the
fact finding committee. Freise reported that President Weber of our Portland Concordia had been quite
upset but that he had heard nothing recently.
362. California-Nevada District Bylaws (Ag. 11): Assigned to Sommermeyer.
363. Iowa East Bylaws (Ag. 12): Sommermeyer will try to find these among the Kuenne files.