LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 28-29, 1974, Page 2

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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160. Status of Pastor Who Was Formerly a Teacher (Ag. 614): President Heckmann had asked whether a
former teacher who had now graduated from a seminary would need to be ordained as a minister. The
Secretary had answered in the affirmative. Dr. Heckmann had also asked whether it would be necessary
for this person to sign the Constitution once again since he had signed it as a teacher. Secretary Mueller
had replied that a ruling of the Commission on June 13, 1968 had indicated that it would be best for such
a person to sign the Constitution of the Synod a second time in order to remove any question. The
Commission formally ratified the replies of Secretary Mueller.
161. After some discussion had been initiated on agenda item 617 Secretary Mueller appeared and began
keeping the minutes.
Donald Prevallet, Acting Secretary

162. Seminex Graduates Serving Without a Call (Ag. 617): President Heckmann of the Texas District had
asked whether a Seminex graduate could serve as pastor of a congregation as long as he would not be
given a call and be ordained. Secretary Mueller had called his attention to the fact that Bylaw 4.01 states
that congregations "shall call and be served only by pastors . . . who have been admitted to these respective ministries in accordance with the rules and regulations . . ." The Commission decided to ratify
his reply. It also decided to call Dr. Heckmann's attention to the fact that Bylaw 6.163, b makes the point
even more strongly. The Commission members expressed distress over the letters which President
Heckmann had sent to the two congregations involved, as indicated by the carbon copies addressed to the
Commission, suggesting that the Commission could have been more evangelical in its ruling.
163. Texas District Bylaws, Constitution, Articles of Incorporation, 1973 Edition, (Ag. 6 & 6-A): Upon
recommendation of Luessenhop who had studied these bylaws, the Commission resolved to recommend
the following changes to the Texas District regarding its governing instruments:
1.

In the light of 3.07 b, which states that the Constitution of the Synod is to be the Constitution
of every District, the Texas District should rescind its so-called "Constitution." In this
connection it was also pointed out that some of the objects listed in Article II are objects of the
Synod and not really of the District. Article III, 4 is also faulty in its wording.

2.

The District is urged in its Articles of Incorporation to adopt the following model paragraph
for "Article II - Purpose," adopted in 1966 by the Commission on Constitutional Matters:
"The objects of this corporation shall be:

3.

1.

To unify in a corporate body the congregations, pastors,
and teachers who are
members of The Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod situated or residing within the
geographical bounds of the Texas District, and

2.

To carry out within the geographical bounds of the Texas District the objects of The
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod as stated in the Articles of Incorporation of said
Synod."

Even though synodical Bylaw 3.07 d does govern the dissolution of a District, it might be advisable
for the Texas District to include a similar article in its Articles of Incorporation.