LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 24, 1973, Page 3

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316. Merged Congregations (Ag. 424): The Commission decided to inform Reverend Conrad Coyner of
Pinole, California, that it was in no position to give an opinion regarding the merged campus
congregation (LCMS and LCA) at Berkeley since as he probably knew this would be part of a larger
study that the CCM had asked the CTCR to undertake with reference to inter-Lutheran ministries.
317. Conflict of Interest, Mission Board Candidates: In view of the Secretary`s letter of June 12 to Dr.
Herman Koppelmann who had raised the question of conflict of interest on the part of some candidates
for the Board for Missions, the Commission decided to drop the item from its agenda. (Ag. 444)
318. Membership of LCMS CRM in an ALC Congregation: President Carl Heckmann of Texas had asked
whether a pastor who has joined an ALC congregation may remain on the LCMS roster as a CRM. It was
decided to inform him that a cursory reading of the Handbook may lead one to believe that this is
possible; nevertheless the Commission feels that such a procedure on the part of this individual would
raise more questions than it would answer. The Commission, therefore, suggests that the District
president might deal with this matter on a pastoral and administrative basis to see whether there is not a
better solution (e.g., guest communion privileges). It should also be remembered that such an individual
would still be expected to attend conferences and District conventions. (Ag. 452)
319.
Implementation of New Bylaw Regarding Rosters (Ag. 454): Heckmann had also asked when the
new Bylaw regarding roster administration should be implemented. The Commission ruled that the
present work of District presidents in screening their rosters for the next publication of the Annual should
be regarded as the first year under the three year rule. After the 1976 rosters have been prepared for the
1976 Annual anyone still wishing to retain a CRM status who has held it since this time would need to
have his case voted upon individually by the Council of Presidents. The Commission holds that the Bylaw
should not be made retroactive. But it is in effect immediately (for instance, with reference to
reinstatement, etc.).
320. Michigan District Commission of Adjudication (Ag. 458): The Commission ratified the letter which
the Secretary had written stating that the procedure followed seemed to be in harmony with the bylaws as
long as the appointment of the additional members had been made by the Commission of Adjudication
itself and not by the District president or Board of Directors.
321. Faculty Appointment and Tenure (Ag. 470): President Stegemoeller of the St. Paul Concordia had
written expressing some concerns about the new bylaws for faculty appointment and tenure adopted in
Resolution 3-02. The Secretary was instructed to thank him for his communication.
322. Delay in Ruling on Resolutions 2-12, 3-01, 5-03, 3-09 (Ag. 464): The same action was taken with
reference to a letter asking for delay from four district presidents: Jacobs, Jaech, Niedner, and Meyer. The
Commission assures them that it will exercise the usual caution, is willing to accept briefs, and commends
the presidents for their concerns.
323. Board Status of Seminary President (Ag. 467): Three officers of the St. Louis seminary Board of
Control, Pastor E. J. Otto, Mr. W. C. Dissen, and Mr. C. H. Burmeister, had raised three questions
regarding the status of the seminary president over against the Board of Control:
1.
2.

Is the president of a synodical institution a member of that board of control or is
he staff of that board?
May a board of control properly exclude the president of an institution from a
particular portion of any given meeting of that board of control if in the board's
sole discretion such action is desirable?