LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 8−9, 1974, Page 5

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25. Certification of Boycotting Students (Ag. 522): The next question raised by Dr. Preus had been: "5.
Can students who are boycotting classes at Concordia Seminary be certified for the holy ministry by
either the boycotting element or the synodical element of the faculty?" In answer the Commission adopted
the following opinion:
1.

According to Bylaw 4.15a, 1 a student must have completed the prescribed course of study. It
is assumed that if he is still boycotting he has not completed the prescribed course of study.

2.

The prescribed course ofstudy is that which under Bylaw 6.63a meets with the approval of
the Board of Control.

3.

In the light of Bylaws 4.15a, 1 and 6.163a and d certification can be granted only if there is
reasonable expectation that the candidate will qualify by completing the prescribed course of
study and by receiving a diploma.

4.

Only those instructors who are still members of the faculty at the date of certification are
eligible to participate in the certification process.

5.

Standards and regulations for the certification process, such as the date of certification, are
subject under the-provisions of Bylaw 6.63a to the approval of the Board of Control.

26. Right to Certify andAssign Candidates (Ag. 522): Dr. Preus had inquired: "6. Can an individual
District president or a group of District presidents, acting outside of their Handbook duties, as stipulated
in 4.09 (the Council of Presidents acting as the Board of Assignments) assign students to a congregation
or special ministry of his respective District, and can such student be entered on the clergy roster of the
Synod? Can the Council of Presidents or individual presidents certify?" The Commission decided to reply
as follows:
1.

The answer lies especially in Bylaws 4.09, 4.15, 6.163. Only the faculty of the institution can
certify and only the Board of Assignments can make the initial assignment of a call.

2.

Only graduates who have been certified by the proper faculty may be received into the
membership of the Synod and placed on its clergy or teacher roster.

27. Certification by Seminary or Governing Body of Another Church Body (Ag. 522): Dr. Preus had also
asked: "7. Is certification by an LCA or Episcopal seminary or governing body a proper certification as
far as ordination and installation within The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and inclusion on the
synodical roster are concerned? Or if certification is made by the American Lutheran Church?" The
Commission ruled:
Certification for ordination and installation within The Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod (and
resulting eligibility for inclusion on the synodical roster) cannot be made by an ALC, LCA, or
Episcopal seminary or governing body. (See also the ruling under Question 6).
28. Possibility of a Roll-Back of Actions (Ag. 522): President Preus had also inquired: "8. Can the
Council of Presidents, individual District presidents, District conventions, synodical boards or staff, or
any other entity in the Synod including the Board of Control itself, declare a roll-back of actions by the
duly elected and legal Board of Control?" The Commission ruled:

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