LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 22-23, 1974, Page 4

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rule whether or not it was constitutional for the BHE, a policy making board, to involve itself in the
supervision of vicars. The Commission adopted a ruling in the affirmative, attached to the minutes.
71. Right of Congregation to Call a Seminex Candidate (Ag. 560): President Arthur Ziegler of the Ohio
District had asked whether in its administration of the Office of the Keys a congregation would be
permitted to call as a pastor a candidate who had not been certified by the Synod. In a ruling (attached to
the minutes) the Commission reiterated the right of a congregation to call its own pastor but also called
attention to the requirement that congregations, if they wish to retain their membership in the Synod,
must call pastors who are certified by the Synod.
72. Questions from St. Louis Seminary Faculty (Ag. 554): After the Commission had begun to study the
eight questions submitted in a letter by the St. Louis faculty, a telephone call to Acting President
Scharlemann resulted in his request that the letter be returned to the faculty without action since it now
seemed no longer to be relevant.
73. Certification Problem (Ag. 528): Pastor Earl A. Bielefeld had written to the undersigned raising
questions regarding the certification of Seminex students. The Secretary had replied that the CCM had
issued rulings in the previous meetings and that these would no doubt be shared with the students. The
Commission ratified the reply.
74. Placement of Seminex Students (Ag. 534): Rev. David V. Dissen of Clearwater, Florida had written
on February 22 asking five questions regarding students at the seminary-in-exile. The Secretary had
answered questions 1, 2, 4 on the basis of past rulings of the Commission and had indicated that questions
3 and 5 would need to be taken to the Commission. The Commission now ratified the answers which the
Secretary had given to questions 1, 2, and 4 and decided to hold on the docket questions 3 and 5 for future
consideration. The replies to 1, 2, and 4 were to the effect that Seminex students could not be placed by
individual presidents, that the Council of Presidents cannot change the Bylaws, and that he was not aware
that any Seminex professor had been expelled from the Synod.
75. Dissent (Ag. 506): In answer to a detailed letter from Rev. C. C. Guebert of Edmonton the
Commission adopted a reply drafted by Freise (attached to the minutes) suggesting that the inquirer might
wish to present an overture calling for a constitutional amendment.
76. Article VII and Mixed Marriage Services (Ag. 488): In answer to a request from the CTCR the
Commission adopted the following opinion drafted by Klotz:
The question has been raised with regard to the CTCR "Statement on Lutheran/non-Lutheran
Marriage Ceremonies" (1973 Convention Workbook, Appendix H, page 43f) as to whether Article
VII of the synodical Constitution includes this matter under the deference rights of a congregation.
Appendix H of the 1973 Convention Workbook was not adopted by the New Orleans convention.
The CTCR did not recommend adoption by the convention. For that reason Article VII does not
apply since it is a statement of the CTCR and not a "resolution of the Synod."
However, since the "Guidelines for Ecumenical Marriage Ceremonies" of the Council of
Presidents of the Synod dated February 18, 1971 and the "Statement on Lutheran/non-Lutheran
Marriage Ceremonies" are stated to be based on the Word of God, they are covered by Article VI
of the Constitution and may not be included under the deference rights of Article VII.
77. Ewald Otto Involvement (AA. 496): Dr. Paul E. Jacobs had written a letter to the Board of Control
protesting the involvement of Rev. E. J. Otto in proceedings against Dr. John Tietjen and had sent a