LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 4-5, 1972, Page 7

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135. Atlantic District (Ag. 315 and 320): Our Redeemer Congregation of Peekskill, New York, had asked
whether three (3) new districts were being formed or only two (2); whether therefore entirely new officers
need to be elected in all three districts or only in two? After spending from eight to ten hours on this
question and testing various answers, the Commission finally adopted by a 2 to 1 vote, with
Sommermeyer abstaining, with Prevallet asking that his negative vote be recorded, and with Luessenhop
on his way to the airport, a resolution (full text attached to the Minutes) stating that the old Atlantic
District could in convention convey its corporate existence to the "new" .Atlantic District which could
then decide in its own convention whether it wished to continue the old corporation (and whether or not it
wished to have elections across the board) or whether it wished to incorporate anew (in which case an
entire slate of officers would need to be elected). Attention was also called to the fact that the plan for
division and realignment must thereafter be presented to the synodical Board of Directors for approval.
136. Adjournment followed.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

RULING RE DIVISION OF ATLANTIC DISTRICT
The first resolve of Resolution 4-57 of the Milwaukee convention divided the Atlantic District into
three separate and distinct Districts.
The resolution thereafter authorized and empowered the present Atlantic District of The Lutheran
Church - Missouri Synod and the member congregations thereof to do such acts as may be necessary or
convenient to effect such division and realignment of the Atlantic District.
The Commission on Constitutional Matters holds that the present Atlantic District, and the
congregations thereof, in convention assembled, is therefore authorized (if it should decide to do so) by
delegate vote at its convention to allow the "new" Atlantic District with its reduced boundaries to
continue to operate under the provision of the present Articles of Incorporation.
Thereafter at the separate District convention of the "new" Atlantic District, the delegates present
shall determine whether the "new" Atlantic District shall continue to operate under the present Articles of
Incorporation but within new geographical boundaries or whether it chooses to incorporate anew.
If the old corporation is maintained, the "new" Atlantic District in convention shall determine
whether those officers and directors who hold membership in congregations incorporated in the "new"
Atlantic District shall be retained and only vacancies among the officers and directors shall be filled, or
whether a full slate of officers and directors shall be elected. In the event the "new" Atlantic District
decides to form a new corporation, the new said corporation shall elect a full new slate of officers and
directors.
The said Resolution 4-57 also provides that before implementing the plan adopted for the division
and realignment of the old Atlantic District, the said plan thereafter shall be submitted to the Board of
Directors of the Synod for review and approval.
THE COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Herbert Mueller, Secretary
May 5, 1972