LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 16-17, 1974, Page 3

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113. _Overture Re Signing of Constitution (Ag. 4_98): It was also decided to submit the following
overture to the next convention:
To Make Better Provisions for Signing the Synod's Constitution
WHEREAS, It has often been pointed out that the requirement to sign the Synod's Constitution
in open session creates difficulty and at times confusion as to membership status; and
WHEREAS, A task force dealing with these and related matters has recommended to the
Commission on Constitutional Matters that better provisions be made for signing the Synod's
Constitution; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 1.03 be amended as follows:
Present Wording
1.03
Signing Constitution
All members of the Synod shall
sign the Constitution of the Synod
in open session at the first convention of the District which they
attend. The duly elected lay delegate
of . . .

Proposed Wording
Signing Constitution
All individual applicants for
membership in the Synod shall sign
the Constitution of the Synod in
open session of the District con
vention when they are received
into membership. If this imposes
a hardship or if they desire to
become members at a convention of
the Synod, they shall file a signed
statement of subscription to the
Constitution, which statement shall
read as follows: "Having read the
Constitution of The Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod I hereby subscribe to
it, dated ______, signed ______."
This statement shall be filed with
the secretary of the District prior
to the convention in which they wish
to be received. The duly elected
lay delegate of . . .
1.03

114. Double Jeopardy (Ag. 526): Rev. Douglas C. Thunder of Carson City, Nevada had asked whether a
man who is judged innocent by a board can be tried again by the same board or whether this does not
constitute double jeopardy. The Commission adopted the following ruling:
The Commission holds that the synodical Handbook does not take up the question of double
jeopardy. One would hope that the Synod and its individual members would be guided by
principles of fairness and justice at all times.
Bylaw 2.14 must be taken into account. It states: "All officers, boards, and commissions shall
be accountable to the Synod for all their actions, and any decision of such officers, boards, and
commissions may be appealed to the delegate convention of the Synod."
115. Implementation of Resolutions (Ag. 556): President Emil Jaech of the Northwest District had asked
how much evangelical freedom officers of the Synod and of the Districts have in holding in abeyance the