LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 11-12, 1976, Page 3

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the provisions of the opinion of the CCM regarding direct removal from office without expulsion from
membership in the Synod printed in the Anaheim Workbook, pages 486 and 487.
56. Transfers to English District (Ag. 973): The Commission decided to answer two questions of
President Elwood Zimmermann of the Indiana District as follows:
1.

Does the English District have the right to accept a congregation of a geographic District
without synodical convention action?
Answer: Only the Synod can transfer in response to an overture from a congregation.

2.

What is the status of congregations that have voted to leave a geographic District and have
been "accepted by the English District" with regard to the geographic District, as far as voting
privileges at convention and supervision of doctrine and life?
Answer: Such congregations still have the privileges and responsibilities of membership in
the first District and are still under the supervision of that District until the convention of the
Synod transfers the congregation to another District.

It was decided to send a copy of this ruling to Acting President Paul Barth of the English District.
57. English District Transfer Question (AQ. 973A): Olive Spannaus, a member of the English District
Board of Directors, had asked about the procedures of transfer into the English District. It was resolved to
inform her of the ruling adopted in answer to President Zimmermann's request and to ratify the response
which the Secretary had written to her in the meantime. No further action was necessary.
58. Reception of c.r.m. into Membership (Ag. 1002, 1002A): President Arthur Kuehnert of the Central
Illinois District had inquired whether a Reverend Arthur E. Sekki, crm, who had applied for membership
in the Central Illinois District but was now living in the Ohio District could be received into the
membership of the Synod by the Central Illinois District but sign the Constitution in the Ohio District
convention. The Commission resolved to advise that candidate Sekki be received into membership of the
Synod in the Ohio District convention, sign the Constitution there, and then be transferred, if desired, to
the Central Illinois District.
59. Woman Suffrage, Big Rapids, Michigan (Ag. 836, 836A,B, 1005): In answer to a telephone request
the Secretary had mailed to Judge Gene Schnelz of the Committee on Constitutional Matters of the
Michigan District the copy of the guidelines in the Milwaukee convention Workbook, page 244,
regarding woman suffrage. The Commission resolved to ratify the Secretary's action and to remove the
item from the agenda.
60. Overture to California-Nevada District to Evade CCM (Ag. 933A,C): It was agreed that a search for
the missing material on this item would be made before the next meeting.
61. Gehrke Case (Ag. 921A,B,C): In response to a question from Dr. Gehrke the Secretary had stated that
the Bylaws say nothing about a course to be followed over against one who unsuccessfully brings a
charge. The Secretary had also acknowledged two additional letters from Rev. Walter Otten, giving
additional information regarding the case. The Commission resolved to ratify all three answers and to
remove the item from its agenda.
62. Federated Parish (Ag. 952 952A-C): The Commission in the light of further correspondence received
from Rev. S. H. Redenbach, President W.B. Fromson of the Missouri Synod congregation in North