LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 10, 1976, Page 2

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Bylaw 1.53. The exact wording of the new proposal which should be incorporated in the Commission's
report to the Dallas convention is attached to the minutes.
200. Recommendation Re Signing of Constitution (Ag. 1064, 1064A): The Commission then also decided
to recommend a revision of its original recommendation to Anaheim regarding better procedures for
signing the Constitution. The proposal to the Dallas convention would read as follows:
1.03 Signing Constitution
All individual applicants for membership in the Synod shall subscribe to the Constitution of the
Synod and to that end shall file a signed statement of subscription to the Constitution, which
statement shall read as follows: "Having read the Constitution of The Lutheran Church -Missouri
Synod, I hereby subscribe to it, dated __________________, signed ________________________.
"This statement shall be filed with the secretary of the District prior to the convention in which
they wish to be received. The duly elected lay delegate of a newly received congregation shall sign
the Constitution as the representative of his congregation in open session at the District convention.
The District secretary shall obtain the signatures . . . . . (proceed as at present in Bylaw 1.03).
201. Loeber Letter Re AELC Opinion (Ag. 1139): The Commission now took up quite a number of items
concerning its AELC opinion and the implementation date of the same. Rev. A.H.A. Loeber of Detroit,
Michigan had taken exception to postponing the implementation date of the Commission's ruling on the
AELC. The Commission resolved to thank him for his concern and to state that since he had now been
able to read the explanation which appeared in The Lutheran Witness for this delay in implementation we
would hope that the procedure would be satisfactory to him pending any action that the Dallas convention
might take in the matter.
202. Correspondence with Rev. John W. Bremer, Greensboro, NC (1076K, P); Mrs. Rov H. Falkenheim,
Baldwin, IL (1076L); Mr. Ronald Ries, Manden. ND (1076M); Mr. Arthur Richter, Waterloo, IL
(1076N); Rev. M.G. Kirsch, Minneapolis, MN (1120, A); President Henry Simon, North Wisconsin
District (1133, 1133A); President Arlen J. Bruns, Kansas District (1115, 1115A): The Commission
formally ratified the replies of the Secretary to this correspondence and his decision not to engage in
further correspondence with Pastor Bremer and President Bruns on these matters (AELC membership and
implementation date).
203. Earl Haake Letter of Explanation Re Benefit Plans (Ag. 1111); News Release Re Postponement of
AELC Opinion Implementation Date (1112); Board of Directors' Resolutions Regarding Benefit Plans
and AELC Membership and Also the Board's Affirmation of the Opinion of the CCM on the AELC
(1123); Memo to Earl Haake (1132); Ratification of Final Draft of Notice Regarding Postponement of
Implementation for The Lutheran Witness (1110, A, B, 1119): The Commission took note of all of these
items and also formally ratified the final version of the notice regarding implementation postponement.
204. Election of Delegates, Colorado (Ag. 1113): Rev. Marion C. Hofman of Delta, Colorado placed
several questions before the CCM regarding the election of delegates in view of the participation of
Seminex graduates and the AELC ruling. The questions and the Commission's answers are as follows:
1.

Would an election of synodical convention delegates be valid if a voting representative at the
circuit election meeting joined the AELC soon afterwards? Answer: Yes

2.

May uncertified Seminex graduates be voting representatives at circuit election meetings to
elect synodical convention delegates? Answer: No