LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 23-24, 1971, Page 2

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12. Current Roster Problem (Ag. 13): Much time was spent discussing the latest revision of the Council of
President's policy statement. Considerable dissatisfaction was voiced with reference to the provisions
governing special ministries sub-category G (See also Minutes 15).
13. District Tenure: Dr. Preus appeared before the commission to relay the information that he has already
been asked whether Milwaukee Resolution 4-29 regarding four year terms for synodical executives must
be applied in a mandatory way also to all District executives. After the commission had discussed this in
some detail it came to a negative conclusion since the newly adopted bylaw was included in the section of
synodical boards and commissions, since no reference to District executives had been made either in the
recommendation of the ad hoc committee or in the recommendation of the floor committee, and since the
new bylaw specifically involves action on the part of the Board of Directors of the Synod. However, the
commission concluded that it would be advisable for Districts to make similar provisions in view of
Bylaw 3.07b which states that the bylaws of the Synod are the primary bylaws of a District and that it
would be advisable for someone to propose to the New Orleans convention a specific bylaw setting forth
four year terms and other provisions of Res. 4-29 also for the District executives (no agenda exhibit).
14. Concordia Historical Institute: The present bylaws state that one member of the board of Concordia
Historical Institute is to come from the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. The commission
decided to change this in the new Handbook to read "SELC District" and to ask the CHI (1) to give
thought to the future make-up of its board and (2) to suggest an appropriate bylaw to the New Orleans
convention. The Secretary was asked to be in touch with Dr. Suelflow on this.
15. Roster Eligibility (Agenda 260): Director of Research and Statistics Paul Picard appeared in person
before the commission to expand on his request for an interpretation of Bylaw 4.15 a 4. In response to his
first question as to which are the offices to which a person can be ordained the commission came to the
conclusion that it could not answer this specifically at this time. As to which are "the regulations
governing ordination" the commission answered: the regulations adopted by the Synod in convention and
presumably included in the Handbook, although there may be other regulations buried in convention
resolutions. In this connection considerable additional discussion was given to the latest policy statement,
as revised, of the Council of Presidents. The commission formally resolved to ask the Secretary to draft
bylaws for proposal to the New Orleans convention incorporating most of the Council of President's
proposals except for the Council's attitude toward special ministries. The commission was of the opinion
that full roster status should be given only to those who are occupying positions specifically recognized
by the Synod and that those occupying other borderline positions should have c. r. m. status which in turn
should be reviewed at regular intervals not just by the individual District President but by the entire
Council of Presidents.
The commission now turned its attention to various problem areas in resolutions of the convention
requiring some decisions with reference to the printing of the new Handbook (Ag. 264).
16. Council of Administrators 2.175: On the basis of Resolutions 4-38 and 4-39 the commission resolved
to make the following changes in 2.175 a:
5.

The Secretary of the Synod, who shall serve as secretary of the council

6.

The Administrative Officer of the Board of Directors

11.

The Chairman of the Division of Stewardship Services (present 11 becomes 12)