LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 5-6, 1976, Page 7

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37.
Status and Function District Boards of Directors (Ag. 913): In answer to two questions from Pastor
Gene A. Oesch of Houston, Texas the Commission ruled 1) that members of a District Board of Directors
are officers of the Synod and 2) that although the District president has the primary responsibility to
exercise leadership and give direction within the respective District so that synodical resolutions are
implemented, it is the responsibility also of all other officers, including the Board of Directors.
38. Central Illinois District Bylaws (Ag. 939): The Commission approved the proposed new bylaws of the
Central Illinois District with the understanding that the District would accept at least the more important
recommendations offered by Carl Eberhard and the Secretary to the District president.
39. Southern District Bylaws (Ag. 938 A): It also approved these proposed bylaws of the Southern
District with the changes recommended by the Secretary.
40. Mission Monies for Seminex (Ag. 939): Pastor Mickow of Kingfisher, Oklahoma had asked whether
District mission money could be used to finance the education of two Seminex students. It was resolved
to call his attention to two opinions on page 483 of the Anaheim Workbook, especially Point 5 of the
December 6 ruling, and to Anaheim Resolution 6-04 which states that Seminex is not a recognized
institution of the Synod.
41. ELIM District Chairman as District Officer (Ag. 940)_: The same individual had inquired whether Dr.
Clarence W. Knippa could serve as Secretary of Missions to which he had been elected by the Oklahoma
District convention and at the same time as chairman of ELIM in the Oklahoma District. It was resolved
to refer the petitioner to the opinion on page 489 of the Anaheim convention, the paragraph which reads,
"All members of the Synod and of its congregations are to beware of the danger of groups and
activities which divide and splinter the Synod. Synodical and District officers and board and
commission members have a special responsibility to identify divisive and subversive movements
and to avoid them. By their example and advice they are to conserve and promote the unity of the
true faith and the oneness of the Synod."
and to Anaheim Resolution 3-06, especially the third resolve.
42. Meeting Dates: The next meeting will be held May 14, 9:00 a.m. and May 15. A tentative date was
also chosen for the following meeting: August 13-14.
The meeting adjourned with the Lord's Prayer in unison.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

Ruling Re Secession From the Synod
The Commission on Constitutional Matters has been asked whether the English District has a
right to secede from the Synod as a District or whether only individual congregations may
withdraw by action of the congregation itself. The Commission rules as follows:
1.

Districts of the Synod have come into existence in several different ways; finally,
however, in each instance it is the action of the Synod in convention that establishes
a District. (Art. XII, Bylaws 3.01, 3.03, 3.07).