LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 16-17, 1974, Page 6

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123. Election of Delegates: The Secretary submitted to the Commission on Constitutional Matters his
proposed guidelines for counselors in the election of voting delegates for the synodical convention,
calling attention to two questions in connection with point V. The Commission agreed that the candidate
who receives the lowest number of votes in the write-in ballot should be eliminated already at that point
otherwise the next ballot would simply be a repetition of the nominating ballot. In regard to the next
question, as to whether on succeeding ballots electors are to vote for one man or for two men, the
Commission ruled as follows: "It is a matter of record that the floor committee when asked what the
intention was, stated (see N.O. Res. 5-27, Proceedings, p. 172) that it was the intention that after the first
ballot electors would vote for one. Since the written bylaw is not clear the Commission rules that after the
first nominating ballot electors shall vote for only one."
124. Colorado District Presidential Elections (Ag. 601): Secretary Ralph A. Phipps of the Colorado
District had asked whether the Colorado District could still conduct its presidential and vice-presidential
elections at the forthcoming convention by the old procedures. On the basis of Bylaw 3.31 the
Commission ruled affirmatively.
125. Seminex Professors on Boards* (Ag -565): In answer to a request from President J.A.O. Preus
regarding the membership of certain "Seminex" professors on boards of the Synod the Commission
adopted the following rulings:
Status of Former Faculty Members on Various Boards
1.

Bylaw 12.13a states, "The Board for Lutheran Radio shall be composed of eight members: . . .
one faculty member of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis." The Commission on Constitutional
Matters rules that Dr. David Deppe can no longer serve on the board, since he is no longer a
member of the faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.

2.

Bylaw 7.23 states: "The Board of Parish Education shall consist of . . . , plus a representative
from each of the seminaries and each of the teacher's colleges appointed by the President of
Synod on recommendation of the Board of Parish Education." The Commission therefore rules
that Dr. John Damm can no longer serve on the Board of Parish Education since he is no
longer a member of the faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and can therefore not
represent that seminary.

3.

Bylaw 2.111 says of the nine voting members who are appointed by the President in
consultation with the vice-presidents to the Commission on Mission and Ministry in the
Church: "And one representative from each of the theological seminaries." If that person
previously appointed is no longer on the faculty of Concordia Seminary he cannot serve as its
representative on the Commission on Mission and Ministry in the Church.

126. Filing of Opinions in Archives (Ag. 581, 581A): Dr. August Suelflow had suggested that the
opinions of the Commission be filed also in the archives of the Concordia Historical Institute with
perhaps a seal of inaccessibility for some 25 years. It was generally felt that perhaps the following would
be a feasible arrangement: After August 1, 1975 the Commission could make available to the CHI copies
of opinions rendered between January 1, 1970 (or earlier) and December 31, 1971 and that this process
could then be continued on the same schedule in January of every even numbered year, with the
Commission reserving the right to limit and to classify at its discretion certain opinions. The Secretary
was asked to develop a statement for the next meeting.