LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 6-7, 1974, Page 1

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295. Vicar Supervision (Ag. 631): The Commission came to the conclusion that the letter of Dr. J.A.0.
Preus of July 1, 1974 was responsive to the letter of Dr. Robert Preus of June 14, 1974 and therefore
resolved to remove the item from the Commission's agenda.
296. Seminex Financial Support (Ag. 540, 624,1 645, 645A): The treasurer of the Eastern District Board
for Student Recruitment and Scholarships had asked whether or not District trustees may send funds
directly to the Seminex campus or even to students who are due grants under previous commitments. Rev.
Elwood E. Mather of Brooklyn, New York had also asked for a ruling on the constitutionality of the
Atlantic District convention's resolution to gather a special fund of $50,000 for the financial support of
faculty, staff, and students of Seminex. Pastor M. W. Bergmann of the Florida-Georgia District had raised
a similar question with respect to a resolution of that District that the student aid committee include
students at Seminex in its considerations and aid. The Commission ruled:
Funds contributed to a corporation must be used for the purposes for which said corporation is organized
and as the implementation of these purposes is set forth in its Constitution and Bylaws
297. Langohr Certification (Ag. 712, 712A & B): President George Rode of the Alberta-British Columbia
District had addressed several questions to the Commission regarding the training, certification, and
ordination of Paul Langohr. The Commission decided to reply as follows:
The CCM has already given attention to this matter on several occasions and feels that the
questions raised in the letter have already been answered as far as they can be answered short of
synodical convention action.
298. Council of Presidents Certification Procedure (Ag. 731A): Rev. Keith Bender of Ocheyedan, Iowa
had raised questions regarding the September, 1974 resolution of the Council of Presidents regarding
certification procedures. The Secretary had replied explaining in greater detail the Commission's ruling on
the Council's resolution and explaining the procedures which the seminary has followed in the past for
interviewing persons who had been graduated earlier. The Commission ratified this reply.
299. Woman Suffrage (Ag. 741): In reply to a question by Rev. R. R. Krueger of Parkville, Missouri the
Secretary had called his attention to the Commission's guidelines regarding woman suffrage (Milwaukee
convention Workbook, page 244) and to the later opinion of the Commission that while the Denver
convention had restricted the offices which women could hold it had not restricted the matters on which
women could vote. The Commission ratified this reply.
300. John G. Roschke Letters (Ag. 742 & 742A): The Commission took note of xeroxed copies sent by
this gentleman to Dr. Ralph Bohlmann and to the Board of Control, objecting to seminary actions.
301. Newspaper Article (Ag. 743): The Secretary explained the background for being quoted in a news
article in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat regarding the procedures to be followed now that Dr. Tietjen has
been suspended from office. Mr. Vic Bryant had asked him to supply whatever information he could to
the newspaper reporter in Mr. Bryant's presence simply as background information but had then been
quoted directly. No action was necessary.
302. Reactions to "An Analysis" (Ag. 749, 749A to D, N to Q): After the appearance of the Commission's
"An Analysis" in a recent issue of the Lutheran Witness it had received sharp replies from Vicar Boyd
Faust, Rev. Arthur A. Preisinger, Rev. Donald Hoger, President Carl Heckmann, and messages of
commendation from Dr. Ralph Bohlmann, Rev. John L. Herzog, Rev. W. G. Pultz, Dr. Theodore Nickel,
and Dr. Carl W. Eberhard. In each instance the Commission formally approved the replies of the
Secretary.