LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 21-22, 1972, Page 3

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150. Irvine (Ag. 355): Douglas C. Thunder of Carson City, Nevada had taken exception to the
appointment and ongoing service of the Irvine Board of Control and had asked by what authority this was
being done. The Commission resolved to reply that these arrangements were by special resolution of a
synodical convention. (Cleveland Resolution 1-22).
151. Investigate Preus (Ag. 356): The New England Pastoral Conference had forwarded a resolution
requesting the CCM to investigate the course of action employed by President Preus in the Ehlen case.
The Commission resolved to inform the conference that it was not the Commission's responsibility to
investigate anyone's action.
152. Delegate Requirements (Ag. 345): President Niedner of the Nebraska District had asked the
synodical Secretary whether a District has the authority to place requirements beyond those listed in the
Handbook upon the selection of delegates to the synodical convention, specifically with reference to
doctrinal issues. The synodical Secretary had replied basically in the negative while indicating that a
discussion of issues was very much in order,although the delegates should go to the convention
completely uninstructed. The Commission formally endorsed the synodical Secretary's reply.
153. Gordon Winrod (AZ. 352): The Commission had received a two page document from a Gordon
Winrod who had been deposed from the ministry in 1961. Although puzzled as to exactly what he was
requesting of the Commission, the Commission finally decided to inform him that this whole question
was an administrative matter which did not lie within the province of the CCM.
154. Heresy Charges (Ag. 341): President Heckmann of Texas had asked the synodical Secretary to
which court a man should be directed when he wished to lodge a charge of heresy. Mueller had replied
that in his estimation that court was the District president himself. The Commission endorsed this reply.
155. Right to Make Heresy Charge (Ag. 350): President Scherer of the Missouri District had asked the
Commission: who has the right to file charges of false doctrine against a member of Synod? Does an
individual member of the congregation have this right or is it restricted to pastors, teachers, and
congregations? The Commission ruled that any member in good standing of a congregation should be
accorded this right.
156. SELC Membership on Concordia Historical Institute Board (Ag. 297 and 297A): Dr. Suelflow had
asked whether the Commission could give any guidance in the matter. The Commission resolved that in
harmony with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod no District should be given preferential treatment
and that therefore the former provision regarding special SELC membership on the CHI board should
now be eliminated.
157. San Francisco Night Ministry (Ag. 334): Reverend William P. Grunow of San Leandro, California
had addressed a letter to the Commission appealing the Commission's 1968 ruling on his District's night
ministry in San Francisco. After considerable discussion the Commission finally resolved to respond to
Reverend Grunow as follows:
The Commission's ruling had been made on the basis of the information that this ministry would be
strictly a social ministry project and would not be a preaching or teaching ministry involving the
proclamation of God's Word. Did the Commission misunderstand at that time or has the nature of the
night ministry changed over the years?
In order to clarify the issue, the CCM considers it advisable for Reverend Grunow and the District
officials to draft a joint statement setting forth facts on which they agree and also "facts" on which they
disagree. On the basis of that joint document it might be possible for the Commission on Constitutional