LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — October 10-11, 1974, Page 4

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256. Investiture, etc. (Ag. 723, 730, 734): The Commission ratified the reply of the Secretary to the letter
from President Charles Mueller regarding this subject. With respect to the communication from President
Wollenburg of the Montana District it was resolved to inform him that he was misreading the opinion,
since the opinion states several times that it is restricted to clergy, and that therefore the Commission saw
no pressing need to revise its opinion.
257. Ellermann Requests (AE. 728): President Ellermann of the Southern District had asked for the
number of rulings adopted by the Commission since 1974, for the basic interpretive principle of the
Commission, and for an explanation as to how priorities are determined, etc. After some discussion it was
resolved to send him a general letter to the effect that the Commission is working hard at its Handbook
assignments and feels that it must limit itself to these and that if he would consult the reports of the CCM
especially in the more recent convention Workbooks he would find a wealth of information.
258. San Francisco Night Ministry (Ag. 671): Luessenhop reported that he would be making his trip
November 2. Freise will undoubtedly join him.
259. Ziegler Paper on Calling Rights of Congregations (Ag. 720): The Commission took note of this
paper as well as the informal analysis prepared by Mueller.
260. Grand Prairie Texas LBT Case (Ag. 721, 721-A): It was decided to give the same advice in this case
as in the case of Rev. Settgast of Nebraska (see Ag. 636). Essentially, Rev. Carl E. Lutz is to be advised
to seek the crm status which is renewable on an annual basis.
261. SELL Questions (Ag. 726): In answer to a request from the SELL president, Albert M. Marcis, the
Commission ruled that it was necessary for an officer of the SELC District to belong to a member
congregation of the SELC District instead of the Texas District. Otherwise Bylaw 3.29 would be
superfluous. It was also ruled that the Treasurer of the SELC District could also serve as the treasurer of
the agency known as Lutheran Haven as long as there was no conflict of interest.
262. Elowsky Objection (Ag. 678): Rev. Earl W. Elowsky of Lowden, Iowa had written taking strong
exception to the 1969 opinion regarding dissenting groups, requesting reconsideration. The Commission
ratified the Secretary's reply of defense and explanation.
263. Lewis W. Spitz Letter to District Presidents ( . 679): The Commission took note of this
communication.
264. Iowa District East Resolution (Ag. 680): It also took note of a resolution from the Iowa District East
convention, endorsing the CCM's recommendation to the 1975 synodical convention that a new bylaw be
drafted defining the status of doctrinal statements and the procedures for their adoption and revision.
265. Cleveland Convention Resolution Re Irvine (Ag. 683): Philip C. Gehlhar had written to the
Secretary concerning the present status of the Cleveland convention resolution regarding Irvine,
suggesting that since some additional changes have been made in the Irvine plans by succeeding
conventions that therefore also the original arrangements regarding the Board of Control were no longer
operative. The Commission ratified the Secretary's response which took exception to this particular
interpretation and held that the original resolution concerning the Irvine Board of Control still governs
the situation.
266. Shepman Inquiry (Ag. 686): A Mr. W. G. Shepman of Clearwater, Florida had addressed
Luessenhop with respect to the diverting of funds to Seminex. Since no further correspondence had been