LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 11-12, 1975, Page 3

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the effect that such action is unscriptural, then the question will need to be reviewed again in the light of
Article II of the Synod's Constitution.
411. Communion at Convocation (Ag. 814): The Commission took note of this letter from St. Paul's,
Bremen, Indiana. No action was requested.
412. Status of Teacher Serving ALC (Ag. 771): Since no further correspondence had been received on
this matter, it was decided to remove this item from the agenda.
413. Dealing With District President (Ag. 805): Rev. Donald Frerichs of Pasco, Washington had
requested information on how to deal with a District President. The secretary had referred him to the
recent major opinion of the Commission. This reply was ratified.
414. Seminex Vicars (Ag. 808): Rev. Philip Meyer of Terre Haute, Indiana had vigorously protested the
employment of Seminex vicars. The Commission ratified the reply of the secretary calling attention to
various rulings of the CCM.
415. Saskatoon Placement (Ag. 816): The Commission took note of the exchange of correspondence
between District President Albin Stanfel and Professor Walter Koehler of the Saskatoon seminary.
416. District Education Materials (Ag. 818): Dr. Preus stated that the English District was producing an
Adult Christian Education program for use in its congregations and asked: "Are doctrinal materials
produced independently by Districts for use in congregations of said Districts subject to doctrinal review
by the Synod?" The Commission decided to reply:
That a District is a "subordinate group" of the Synod is clearly indicated in Bylaws 3.01 and
3.07. It is therefore apparent that Districts are included in the phrase "subordinate groups" in
Bylaw 11.153 a and b which deal with doctrinal review. Such published materials of Districts
are therefore subject to doctrinal review by the Synod.
417. District Newspapers (Ag. 819): Dr. Preus wrote that some Districts are no longer publishing a
Lutheran Witness District Supplement which was always subject to doctrinal review but are now
publishing their own official District paper. He asked for a ruling on the question: "Are periodicals with
doctrinal contents produced independently by Districts for use in congregations in said Districts subject to
review by the Synod?" The Commission resolved upon the same answer as given to the previous request.
418. Omaha Agency Use of Seminex Students (Ag. 820 , 820 A): An Omaha agency referred to by
President Frederick Niedner as "our Omaha Lutheran Inter-Parish Ministries Program (totally LCMS)"
wished to engage Seminex students for such assignments as chaplains to truckers and their families,
missionaries to high-rise apartments, and worker-priests in general. The proposal of Jim Cross for the
creation of these positions and the employment of Seminex students was made available to the
Commission. Dr. Preus raised the question: "Is a Seminex graduate eligible for this kind of service?" The
Commission finally ruled:
If, as the attached "position description" documents seem to indicate, these persons are to be
"theologically equipped worker-priests" and are expected to render "pastoral care," it would seem,
as indicated already in earlier opinions of the CCM, that Seminex graduates are not eligible to
render such services to Districts or to agencies recognized by the Districts. (Klotz abstained).
419. Overture re Lay Credentials (Ag. 821): Since lay delegates to the synodical convention are no longer
elected by the congregations but are elected by circuit meetings from among nominees proposed by the