LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 15-16, 1973, Page 1

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225. Meeting Dates: The next meeting will be held March 15 (9 a.m.) - 16 in St. Louis. Alternate dates, if
necessary: March 19 (10 a.m.) - 20 in St. Louis.
226. The meeting adjourned with a blessing.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary
MINUTES OF MEETING OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
March 15-16, 1973 - St. Louis, Missouri
227. W. Harry Krieger opened the meeting with prayer. Others present were Luessenhop, Sommermeyer,
Mueller. Prevallet appeared within a short time. Freise was present on the second day. The minutes of
December 14-15, 1972 stood approved as submitted.
228. 1973 Budget: Chairman Luessenhop reported that he had received a communication from John
Schuelke dated February 5, 1973 to the effect that the 1973 budget of the commission had been set at
$9,044.00. The commission assumes that the Handbook is listed in the budget in another category.
229. Election Procedures (Ag. 400): Through a motion from the floor the commission had been directed
by the Milwaukee convention to develop better election procedures for recommendation to the New
Orleans convention and for implementation perhaps already at that convention. In August of 1971 the
commission had adopted a proposal. At this time it reexamined that original proposal and decided to
amend it to the effect that the overture would suggest that Bylaw 2.125 b and 3.33 b be revised to read:
Except in the election of the President and Vice Presidents the following regulation shall apply.
Candidates receiving a majority on the first ballot shall be declared elected. When a second or
succeeding ballot is required for a majority, the candidates receiving the fewest votes shall be
dropped from the ballot, with the provision, however, that two names shall appear on the
subsequent ballot for each position still to be filled. In every election balloting shall continue until
every position has been filled by majority vote. (See also Minutes 37).
230. Overture re Official Conferences (Ag. 401; 16): In the previous meeting the commission had adopted
proposed bylaws but at this meeting the secretary submitted a revised draft which would combine
identical statements governing pastors and teachers conferences. The commission formally approved the
entire overture as submitted after change the word "regular" to "official" in proposed Bylaw 4.113. (See
also Minutes 217).
231. Overture re Rosters (Agenda 402 13, 23): In the previous meeting the commission had already
approved the proposed bylaws. It now approved also the introductory material for the overture (attached
to minutes). It then also decided to add to proposed Bylaw 4.47 a second paragraph which would read:
b. Among criteria for determining whether candidate status should be granted or continued are the
following: the health of the applicant; the extent of his current involvement on a part time and
assisting basis in the ministry of Word and sacrament; a demonstrated willingness to consider a
call or an appointment to a position recognized by the Synod under its bylaw regulations.
232. Terms of Board of Youth Ministry (Ag. 404): Since only five adult members are now elected to this
Board and since five young people are elected for two year terms which cannot be renewed, Secretary
Mueller in answer to a request from the Chairman of the Committee for Convention Nominations had
suggested that that committee should stipulate that of the five adults elected in New Orleans one pastor,