LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 4-5, 1972, Page 5

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of Adjudication under the new rules except in cases which had originated before their adoption. The
Commission endorsed this letter.
122. CMMC and CTCR (Ag. 300): The Commission is still awaiting word from chairman Len Wuerffel
to undertake the joint study prescribed by Milwaukee.
123. Lay Representation (Ag. 305): Secretary J. Graudin of the Southeastern District had asked the
synodical Secretary whether a congregation being served on the side by a pastor could send a lay delegate
to the District convention. Mueller had replied that if it is a bonafide vacancy they are entitled to a lay
delegate, but if it is in reality a dual parish, not, and that the District President should be able to make a
judgement. The Commission decided to endorse this letter.
124. Synodical Objectives (Ag. 313): In response to a question from Rev. Paul Schmidt of Spokane,
Luessenhop had replied that synodical objectives were being reevaluated in the light of the Mission
Affirmations and had called attention especially to the tentative proposals of the CMMC regarding
Constitution Article III. The Commission endorsed this reply.
125. Unanimous Vote (Ag. 319): The Commission endorsed Luessenhop's letter to Rev. B. Dale Thomas,
Utica, Michigan, with respect to the troublesome problem when a unanimous vote is required in a
congregation and conscience is raised as an issue.
126. Suspended Pastor as Delegate (Ag. 321 and 321A): Both the Secretary and the President of the North
Wisconsin District had asked whether a suspended pastor could serve as a pastoral delegate from his
congregation to the District convention. Since the convention had already been held by the time of the
Commission meeting, it was no longer necessary to rule on this matter. However, the Commission
resolved to ask the special committee which has been appointed to review the adjudication procedures to
study the question of a suspended pastor being deprived of his rights and to clarify Bylaw 5.15, bearing in
mind not only the right of appeal but also the right to commune, to be a member of a congregation, etc.
127. Women Elders (Ag. 322 and 325): The Secretary had written answers to President Karl Barth of the
South Wisconsin District and Rev. Conrad Co*ner of the Constitutional Committee of the CaliforniaNevada District who had asked whether congregations could elect women elders. The Secretary had
called attention to the guidelines issued by the Commission which stated that the convention resolution
made it quite plain that women were not to serve on any board most directly concerned with the pastor in
the administration of the means of grace. The Commission formally approved these answers.
128_. Membership in all three Synods (Ag. 323a): Counselor Harold Reiss of the Colorado District had
asked the synodical Secretary whether a congregation could hold membership in all three synods (LCMS,
ALC, LCA). The Commission formally ruled that a congregation cannot be received into more than one
Synod.
129. Delegate Qualifications (Ag. 323b): The same counselor had asked whether circuit meetings could
elect lay delegates by name and if so whether candidates could be asked to state their position on the
issues. Could this also be required of pastoral candidates? The Commission approved the letter of the
Secretary in which he stated in effect that the idea of electing circuit lay delegates had been advanced and
seemed by name to be a good idea but that it could not be forced upon any circuit, and that furthermore
possible candidates might indeed express their views but could not be compelled to do so since this would
lead to the danger of sending an instructed delegate, which would be contrary to the bylaws.
130. Deaf Administration (Ag. 329): Discussion of the possible creation of an auxiliary to aid the
administration of deaf work, as proposed in a resolution of deaf workers and congregations and