LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 18-19, 1974, Page 2

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88. A Challenge to CTCR Guidelines Re A Statement (Ag. 525, 525A): It was decided to have the
Secretary type and make available the rough draft prepared by Dr. Klotz on the previous evening in
answer to the question raised by Rev. James Wilkens of Amherst, Nebraska. This matter will then be
given attention at the next meeting of the Commission.
89. Manitoba-Saskatchewan Bylaws (Ag. 533): The Commission formally ratified the replies which the
Secretary had written to Secretary R. Kaczor concerning certain questions and also concerning the
reference to "official conference" of the District rather than "full conference."
90. Bulle Resignation and Conflict Between Bylaw 2.83a and 8 75 (Ag 576): During the course of the
meeting a telephone call from St. Louis was received informing the Secretary that Dr. Bulle had resigned
and asking about the conflict between two bylaws, one of which states that the Executive Secretary for
Medical Missions is appointed by the Board of Directors and the other, by the Board for Missions. Since
the Secretary did not have his records available the Commission advised him that the bylaw which was
adopted last is the prevailing bylaw. The other bylaw should then be adjusted accordingly for the next
edition of the Handbook.
91. Saskatoon Placement (Ag. 566, 566A, 566B): Since the New Orleans convention had failed to adopt
proposed bylaws governing the training, certification, and placement of Missouri Synod graduates of the
Lutheran Seminary in Saskatoon, Canada, the resolution had been referred under the omnibus resolution
to the Board of Directors. The Board upon the urging of Dr. Ahlschwede passed a resolution authorizing
what had been proposed in the resolution concerning the placement of candidates as an emergency
measure for 1974-1975 only, in the expectation that the next convention would ratify this emergency
action. The resolution of the Board of Directors however also stated that its implementation was to be
postponed until the Commission on Constitutional Matters had ruled on the resolution. The Commission
came to the conclusion that grave constitutional questions are involved. It decided to notify the Board of
Directors of this fact and to postpone action at least until the May meeting. In the meantime the
Commission also resolved to ask the St. Louis and Springfield faculties whether they could be involved in
the solution of this problem or if they had any other solutions to suggest whereby graduates could be
placed until the convention has an opportunity to act. The matter is complicated by the fact that the
proposed program was originally challenged as to its constitutionality by one of the three Canadian
Districts. Seemingly, therefore, not even the Canadian Districts are in agreement as to the advisability of
this program. It was formally decided that copies of these communications should be addressed to the
three Canadian District Presidents and also to the Board of Assignments in care of its chairman, Dr. Arlen
Bruns.
92. Placement of "Seminex" Candidates (Ag. 555): It was reported that two proposals were being
seriously discussed. One would ask the President of the Synod to exercise his executive powers under
Bylaw 2.29c and simply declare them eligible for placement. However, the phrase "executive powers for
a purpose for which there is no specific directive of the Synod" seems to be an impediment. The other
plan calls for the joint certification of these candidates by the Seminex faculty and by the 801 faculty.
This, if it could be arranged, would apparently be permissible since the important thing would be the
certification by the 801 faculty, and the certification by the "Seminex" faculty would be meaningless.
However, even though the Commission discussed both of these possibilities, it refrained from any ruling
or opinion at this time.
93. Worker-Priest as District Delegate (Ag. 531B): The Commission ratified the reply which the
Secretary had sent to Dr. Heckmann asking whether a worker-priest could serve as a pastoral delegate to
the District convention. If he was properly called and installed upon authorization of the District President
he could be regarded as a pastor even though most or all of his salary would come from some secular
occupation.