LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 21-22, 1975, Page 5

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a.

Violation of Article II. In this case it will need to be determined that the
action of the congregation violates the doctrine of the call (CTCR opinion).

b.

Article VI. In this instance it seems that only subsection 1 of Article VI is
pertinent and is again governed by the opinion of the CTCR.

c.

Persistence in offensive conduct. This must be determined by the District
President as a matter of judgment on the basis of the theological opinion
referred to above and on the basis of the attitude of the congregation
toward admonition.

363. Springfield Question re Permanent Tenure AQ. 800): The Springfield Board of Control through its
chairman had addressed several questions to the Commission. After reviewing the present and former
bylaws regarding tenure, the Commission came to the following conclusions regarding the questions
raised:
1.

"Are the provisions of Bylaw 6.53 d, as amended at the New Orleans convention in July of
1973, applicable to a professor whose contract was first entered into on January 1, 1967 and
renewed on July 1, 1971, with an expiration date of June 30, 1975?"
Answer:

2.

"May the Board of Control or the Board for Higher Education in lieu of granting permanent
tenure extend the contract of a professor who has served more than eight years?"
Answer:

3.

The Commission answers in the negative. The individual is governed by the
bylaw in effect January 1, 1971 (see 1969 Handbook, 6.54 c). When his second
four-year contract was signed it was under the terms of the bylaw found in the
1971 and earlier editions of the Handbook. That bylaw provided that permanent
tenure would be granted after seven years of creditable service. The change
introduced in the bylaw during his second four-year contract cannot change the
terms of his contract. If the individual has completed seven years of creditable
service he has permanent tenure as of January 1, 1974.

In view of the above this question is moot in this particular case.

"May the Board of Control, the Board for Higher Education, or both, stay the requirements of
Bylaw provisions 6.53 b and 6.54?"
Answer: The Commission replies in the negative.

364. Woman Suffrage Doctrinal? (Ag. 788, 766): Luessenhop was compelled to leave at this time. Pastor
John Balash, Jr. of Waterbury, Connecticut had asked whether woman suffrage is a doctrinal matter. One
member of the congregation was threatening on the basis of the congregation's constitution, which
requires unanimity in doctrinal and conscience matters, to frustrate the will of the congregation by voting
in the negative. The Commission decided to reply along the following lines:
1.

According to the Constitution of the Synod all matters of doctrine and conscience are decided
not by unanimous vote but by the Word of God.

2.

At the Denver convention the Synod concluded that the Word of God permits women to vote
and to hold certain offices in the church as long as they do not exercise dominion over men.