LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 16-17, 1974, Page 7

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127. Worship Books (Ag. 492, 492A, 492B): With reference to a question from the Commission on
Worship on the production of a new lectionary and worship book and also with reference to the question
of how Bylawi1.113 b, 2 could be implemented, the Commission adopted the following rulings:
1.

The Commission on Constitutional Matters rules that the Commission on Worship acting in its
own capacity and not as part of the ILCW has the authority to proceed with the publication of
the proposed worship book, since this right is inherent in the wording of various subparagraphs
of Bylaw 11.113. The Commission, however, calls attention to the requirement of 11.113, b, 5
and also to the necessity under Bylaw 11.153 to submit the materials for doctrinal review.

2.

The Commission rules that the bylaws do not spell out any steps for the implementation of
Bylaw 11.113 b, 2.

128. Women on a Congregational Board of Directors (Ag 583): Rev. A. C. Warneke of the Constitution
Committee of the Minnesota South District had inquired about a certain congregation's provision for
women to be members of their Board of Directors. The Commission ruled that according to the guidelines
issued after the Denver convention the president and vice-president need to be men and if "discipleship"
is looked upon as the normal function of an elder then also the chairman of that division would need to be
a man. The Commission also decided to add the advisory comment that in view of the functions,
responsibilities, powers, and duties, as detailed in the letter of April 23, of the congregation's Board of
Directors, it might be wise in order to avoid the possibility of the danger of usurping authority that a
stipulation be adopted that the majority of the members of the Board of Directors would need to be men.
129. Saskatoon (Ag. 566): The Commission adopted the following ruling:
In answer to a request from the Board of Directors for a ruling, the Commission on
Constitutional Matters rules once again that in adopting Milwaukee Resolution 6-20 the Synod
merely established a chair of theology in Saskatoon. It failed to provide for the certification and
assignment of the graduates. Therefore, the Saskatoon graduates are not certified for the ministry in
The Lutheran-Church-Missouri Synod and are not eligible as yet for placement on the clergy roster
of the Synod or for call assignment. The Synod will need to take action on this problem at its next
convention.
The following should be noted. After the Milwaukee convention the Commission on
Constitutional Matters called attention to the fact that the Saskatoon program proposed by the
Committee on Colloquies had not been adopted by the Milwaukee convention. The Commission so
notified the Committee on Colloquies, the Board for Higher Education, the Council of Presidents,
and the three Canadian Districts. The Commission suggested that the Board for Higher Education
prepare bylaws to supply the deficiency. The Board for Higher Education did present such bylaws
to the New Orleans convention. However, the floor committee at the New Orleans convention did
not recommend adoption of the proposed bylaws but called instead (Resolution 6-17) for the
creation of a special committee to restudy the entire Saskatoon program and also alternate courses
of action. This Resolution 6-17 failed to receive floor action and was referred under omnibus
Resolution 4-47 to the Board of Directors.
130. Termination of Seminary Contracts* (Ag. 538): Rev. Douglas Thunder had asked three questions
with reference to the termination of the contracts of the St. Louis seminary professors. The Commission
resolved to reply as follows:
You state "that the February 17, 1974 action of the Board of Control of Concordia Seminary . .
. resulted in the termination of the vast majority of the faculty and administrative staff of the St.