LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 22-23, 1972, Page 3

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to the program of ministerial training that had been proposed in the Workbook, although it is claimed that
this was the intent of the floor committee in preparing the resolution. The District is to be informed that
this seeming oversight has been called to the attention of Dr. Wiederaenders. The Commission then also
formally resolved to share this information with the Board for Higher Education and to suggest that it
propose to the New Orleans convention a bylaw covering this program of ministerial training.
180. Administrationyof Deaf Work (Ag. 329, 329A, 329B, 329C): The Ephphatha Conference of pastors
serving deaf,congregations had requested the Commission on Constitutional Matters for an interpretation
of Denver Resolution 1-18A in regard to:
"(1)

The constitutionality of the administration of deaf missions by the Board for Missions at
this present method of performing its role; or

(2)

The constitutionality of the administration of deaf missions by the Regional Advisors of
deaf missions as a special department of the North American and Special Ministries
Department; or

(3)

The constitutionality of the administration of deaf missions by a board composed of the
Regional Advisors elected by the deaf of constituent congregations, such board being
separate from the North American and Special Ministries Department."

Quite a few documents were examined by the Commission. It also heard a personal presentation by Dr.
William Kohn. The Commission resolved to reply along the following lines:
The Commission has reviewed the history of work among the deaf. In 1965 at Detroit this work
was incorporated in the unified Board for Missions. An attempt was made at the Denver
convention to change this arrangement but Resolution 1-18 was defeated and 1-18A adopted,
which in effect continued the jurisdiction of the Board for Missions over the Mission to the Deaf.
However, Res. 1-18A asked the Board for Missions to make greater use of regional advisors but
did not state to what extent this was to be done. The whereases and resolved paragraphs of the
Ephphatha Conference resolution do not state in what manner the Board for Missions is violating
Resolution 1-18A and unless the conference furnishes specific information of such violation, the
Commission on Constitutional Matters holds that the present administration of deaf work (Option
1) is indeed in accord with Resolution 1-18A and that Options 2 and 3 are not viable options
unless the convention takes the action requested in these options.
181. Length of Terms of BHE Members (Ag. 374): Reverend Herb Schmidt of Santa Cruz, California has
asked for more information on the recent ruling that the members of the BHE who had been appointed
following the Milwaukee convention should serve 4 year terms instead of 2 year terms. He also inquired
about the proper procedure for appealing this decision. It was decided to reply along the following lines.
With not all members present in an earlier meeting the Commission had decided that the terms of those
appointed after the Milwaukee convention should be for two years in order to enable the convention
resolution that the BHE is to be elected instead of appointed to be carried out at New Orleans in its
entirety. The BHE requested that the Commission review this decision. At a later meeting, with all
members now present, the decision was reviewed and the commission came to the conclusion that since
Resolution 4-35 did not provide for partial terms for those who would be appointed following the
Milwaukee convention the bylaws governing the length of terms needed to prevail,.and that therefore the
newly appointed members should serve the full four year term and that only those whose four-year terms
would expire following the New Orleans convention should be subject to the election process. Reverend
Schmidt is also to be informed that the proper procedure for appeal is to address an overture to the
convention asking for a reversal of the opinion.