LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 16-17, 1974, Page 1

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Herbert Mueller, Secretary

MINUTES OF MEETING OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
May 16-17, 1974 - St. Louis, Missouri
99. The meeting was opened with the Lord's Prayer in unison. Present at the beginning: Freise, Klotz,
Mueller. Until Luessenhop arrived at about 11:00 a.m., Freise chaired the meeting. Prevallet arrived for
the second day. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as submitted.
100. Tietjen Comment (Ag. 575): Dr. Waldo Werning had informed the Commission that Dr. John
Tietjen in Saginaw, Michigan had stated that "the CCM used to meet once a year, and now they meet
every month to issue rulings, and rulings, and rulings." The Commission ratified the Secretary's letter of
acknowledgment.
101. Status of Unordained Instructor (Ag. 577): In answer to a request from Harold M. Olsen, member of
the Springfield Board of Control, the Secretary had indicated that since the person in question, even
though a graduate of a seminary, had never been ordained, he would need to be regarded as a layman and
that the fact that he was serving on a seminary faculty did not automatically make him a teacher member
of the Synod. Since Mr. Olsen had challenged this personal opinion of the Secretary, the Commission
now formally ratified the Secretary's letter of April 9, 1974.
102. Unionism (Ag. 578): Rev. F.E. Rothfuss of Kensington, Kansas had raised several questions in the
area of unionism. The Commission ratified the two-fold reply which the Secretary had sent him under
date of April 24:
1. The CCM has called the attention of the CTCR to the fact that our Synod needs a clear
definition of such terms as unionism, syncretism, etc. as you refer to in your letter. You may wish
to address your questions to that Commission.
2. The question of communing a person who is not a member of the Lutheran church is one
which falls in the area of theology, pastoral care, and church practice. It would seem therefore
that you might wish to approach your District president for counsel in this matter.
103. Eligibility of Delegate from Congregation Withholding Funds (Ag. 580): Rev. A. Gerald Quiram of
Midwest City, Oklahoma had asked by telephone during the Secretary's absence from the city for a ruling
on Synod's position on seating delegates who have publicly protested and are withholding funds from
Synod and are supporting Seminex. The Secretary had relayed the Commission's ruling on a similar
question from California and had added that the Commission had always been very reluctant to withhold
the right of congregations to send delegates to their District conventions even though "adequate financial
support" is listed as one of the duties of members of the Synod. The Commission formally ratified his
reply.
104. Emeritus as Delegate (Ag. 584): It also ratified his reply to President Carl A. Heckmann of Texas
that an emeritus pastor could not serve as a pastoral voting delegate for a congregation which he serves on
a vacancy basis.
105. Split Clause (Ag. 585): Rev. Ronald E. Daley of Waukesha, Wisconsin had asked whether the
congregation should incorporate, whether there were any set rules for a "congregational split" clause, and
whether the Commission would approve the congregation's Constitution. The Secretary had suggested
consulting an attorney in Wisconsin, had indicated that the Constitution was to be submitted to the