LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — August 13-14, 1976, Page 6

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125. Editor of District Supplement of Lutheran Witness (Ag. 1018): Rev. Douglas C. May of Troy, New
Hampshire had asked whether Pastor Cyril Wismar, who had been chosen as temporary president of the
opposition New England Lutheran Church, an affiliate of the AELC, could continue as editor of the
District supplement of The Lutheran Witness. The Commission resolved to send Pastor May a copy of its
opinion on the AELC.
126. "Restoring" Teacher to Roster (AQ. 1021): President Frederick Niedner of the Nebraska District
presented the puzzling case of a Lutheran teacher who had been serving in various schools and then had
served for almost 30 years with a Lutheran Social Service Agency in Nebraska and had now been
appointed to the faculty of Concordia, Seward. The Council of Presidents had reinstated him but it was
now discovered that he had never received an initial call from the Board of Assignments. After discussing
this at some length the Commission felt that the Secretary should reply more or less in a spirit of levity,
suggesting that perhaps option #2 is the best of the four options presented by President Niedner. This
would call for the Board of Assignments to give this teacher an initial assignment to Concordia College,
Seward. This should be accompanied with an application for membership in the Synod at this late date
and with installation as a member of the faculty. The Secretary will also consult with Mr. Orville Richter
to see whether he has any other suggestions to offer. The Commission was not certain whether this was
really a constitutional matter or an administrative matter but wished to be helpful.
127. Ohio District Resolution re Call of District President (A 1028): The Commission was sent a carbon
copy of a letter from Rev. Carl Nelson to President Arthur Ziegler protesting Ohio District Resolution 606A affirming the divine call of the District president. The Commission decided to hold this item on the
agenda in case a question is addressed to the CCM regarding this matter.
128. Questions re Unionism and Woman President (Ag. 1034):Rev. Robert J. Grosch of Cincinnati had
asked whether a congregation may elect a woman as president and if not, is it subject to the discipline of
the District president. The Commission decided to refer him to the guidelines on woman suffrage in the
Milwaukee Convention Workbook, page 244. He had also asked whether the Executive Director of the
local Council of Churches, who is not a Lutheran, could preach in a Sunday morning worship service and
whether support of this Council of Churches and of a Tri-Lutheran campus ministry at the University of
Cincinnati constitutes unionism. With respect to these questions the Commission decided to state that it
is not the Commission's province to determine what constitutes unionism, but whatever is designated as
unionism is clearly contrary to the Constitution, and that the brother may wish to approach the CTCR
with questions such as these.
129. South Wisconsin District Circuit and Dallas Elections (Ag. 1057): In response to questions raised by
Secretary Robert A. Schmidt and President Karl Barth, the Secretary had stated that it was his opinion
that Circuit #3 would still be eligible to elect a pair of delegates even though two congregations had
applied for transfers to the English District, that these two congregations are still affiliated with Circuit #3
until they are transferred by a convention of the Synod, and that they should also be granted all rights and
privileges in connection with the election of delegates. This ruling would give the circuit the required
minimum number of seven congregations. The Commission ratified this reply.
130. Overture re Tallies (Ag. 1060): The Commission decided to resubmit Anaheim Overture 5-71, which
failed to receive action at Anaheim, to incorporate the reporting of tallies in the bylaws as provided for by
an earlier convention resolution.
131. Overture re Official Conferences (Ag. 1061): It also resolved to resubmit its Overture 5-80 to the
New Orleans convention, which likewise had failed to receive action both in New Orleans and at
Anaheim in spite of favorable floor committee reactions, to amend the bylaws regarding pastors and
teachers conferences.