LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 21-22, 1974, Page 1

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200. Spiegel Letter (Ag. 651): The Commission was pleased to receive a letter of commendation from Dr.
C. W. Spiegel, Springfield, Illinois and ratified the Secretary's reply.
201. Joint Congregation, Manteca, California (Ag. 424): Rev. Conrad Coyner of Pinole, California had
written quite some time ago asking whether it was proper for congregations of two church bodies to
combine and to belong to both church bodies. It was decided to inform him that one of the paragraphs in
the Commission's recent ruling on joint campus ministry seemingly satisfies his request for a ruling. The
same answer is to be given also to Rev. Wm. P. Grunow who had raised the same question with regard to
the Manteca, California congregation (Ag. 475).
202. ELIM (Ag. 484, 535, 539, 553): It was decided to hold these items on the agenda for a later date.
The meeting adjourned with the Lord's Prayer in unison.

Herbert Mueller, Secretary
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
August 21-22, 1974 - St. Louis, Missouri
203. Meeting opened with prayer by Dr. Klotz.
204. The motion was made, seconded, and carried to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 28-29,
with the notation that Dr. John Klotz had not participated in the discussion or rulings on Minutes items
162, 164, 165, 166, 168, 169, 170, 171, 173, 176. He also refrained from participating in any matter
pertaining to Seminex in the present meeting. All were present except Mueller, who was hospitalized.
205. Florida-Georgia Request for Seminex Reconsideration (Ag 644): The Commission was advised that
representatives of the Florida-Georgia District would not be present for their scheduled appearance this
afternoon nor had they submitted any brief or written material. All of the appropriate correspondence was
reviewed and discussion followed. Motion was made, seconded, and carried to send a letter (attached to
the minutes) to District Secretary Eisold. Dr. Klotz abstained.
206. Status of Congregation Calling a Seminex Graduate (Ag 656): The matter was presented and
considered at length. Motion was made, seconded, and carried to ratify the letter of Secretary Mueller of
July 9, 1974 to Teacher Frank Grimsinger of St. Luke's, Houston, Texas. Dr. Mueller was to be instructed
that an additional letter advising of this ratification may be in order and should include two additional
points of information:
a)

The Commission felt the congregation should be again advised that it may well have
received (as many others apparently have) some improper advice and the Commission could
see no apparent or present procedure which would ever allow the congregation to take this
matter to the "Board of Directors." The Commission felt this point should again be
emphasized to the congregation.

b)

The Commission felt the content of paragraph 5 of the letter might again be emphasized
with a reminder to the congregation that we have agreed to abide by our mutual compact and
to respect all other congregations as participants to the compact (Synod). It was also
suggested the letter might close with a copy of our recent ruling on the requested placement
of Seminex students.