LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 21-22, 1975, Page 8

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377. One Bylaw More Important Than Another? (Ag 778): It was decided to answer Rev. Robert
Brueckner of West Nyack, New York to the effect that the Commission has read his letter and noted its
contents.
378. LCMS Congregation Sharing an LCA Pastor (Ag 780): The Commission concluded that its rulings
with respect to Manteca essentially covers also a situation of this type. It held once again that it is
improper for a Lutheran church to hold membership in two church bodies and to be under the
ecclesiastical supervision of two. This is true especially since the LCMS and the LCA are not in
fellowship with each other.
379. Dissolution Paragraph, Congregational Constitutions (Ag 782_): The Texas District had asked
whether it was permissible in the District Bylaws to require that congregational constitutions contain a
dissolution paragraph which would call for all property to revert to the Texas District in case of
dissolution. The Commission ratified the reply of the secretary to the effect that such a paragraph in a
congregational constitution cannot be made compulsory.
380. Langohr (Ag. 712A): The Commission ratified the letter of the secretary to District President Rode
in which he corrected a few misstatements made by President Rode in a letter to President Preus.
381. Counselor Vacancies (Ag. 787): The Constitution Committee of the CaliforniaNevada District had
asked whether a new District bylaw regarding the filling of vacancies among counselors was acceptable.
After studying the proposed bylaw the Commission decided to ratify the action of the District since the
proposed bylaw does make it very plain that the District President has the final determination concerning
the filling of the vacancy.
382. Article VII and Ministerial Health Program (Ag 792): Rev. Robert G. Cardaro of Gulf Breeze,
Florida had asked about the relationship between Article VII setting forth the advisory relationship of the
Synod and the Ministerial Health program of the Synod. The secretary had written a letter referring him
both to Article VII and also to Article III which safeguards protection of the congregation as well as the
pastors and had encouraged him to voluntarily avail himself of the Ministerial Health program if this had
been recommended to him. The Commission ratified this reply.
383. Church Extension Fund Bylaw (Ag. 793): Executive Secretary Fred Lietz had written to the
Commission indicating that the Commission had apparently misunderstood New Orleans Resolution 4-33
with reference to the membership of the Church Extension Board having expertise in the areas of real
estate and finance. The Commission in drafting the required proposed bylaws which are to go into effect
at the 1975 convention had assumed that the reference was to two different persons, one experienced in
real estate and the other in finance. This was not the understanding of the CEF Board. The Commission
resolved to inform the Church Extension Board that if it wishes it could present an overture to the
convention calling for a change in the membership requirements but also to urgently recommend to the
board that it prepare a specific bylaw for this matter instead of merely making a general recommendation
which would later need to be translated into bylaw form.
384. Roster Status of Seminex Personnel (Ag. 795): In answer to a question from Personnel Director
William Barge the Commission ruled that the Seminex personnel (faculty and administrative staff) need
to be listed as crm since they are not filling positions recognized by the Synod.
385. Northwest Bylaw Changes (Ag. 571B): The Commission was happy to receive the information that
the Northwest District had accepted the Commission's recommendations regarding bylaw changes. The
Commission also indicated its acceptance of the new paragraph regarding the nominating procedures for
District vice-presidents. The Commission thereupon ratified the reply of the secretary.