LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 10, 1976, Page 5

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220. Criticisms of CCM by Presidents Lieske (1040, A,B); Charles Mueller (1001, A); Carl Heckmann
(1144); Paul Jacobs (1145: It was agreed that the Secretary should continue to write as he has and to
express the Commission's disappointment and disagreement if there should be further criticisms along this
line. He might also point out that the AELC itself recognizes the necessity of constitutions and bylaws
and of a designated group charged with the responsibility of interpretation.
221. Election of District Presidents (Ag. 1_070): The Commission ruled that the St. James congregation,
Boyceville, Wisconsin, could submit a proposed overture calling for the election by means of a one
person amendable slate of all District presidents, first and second vice-presidents by the synodical
convention upon nomination by the respective District conventions. The Commission held that there was
no constitutional hindrance to an overture requesting such a change.
222. Inspection of Records (Ag. 1073): The Board of Directors had addressed to the Commission the
question: "Does an individual, not a member of The Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod, have the right to
inspect financial and/or other records of the Synod in inquiring into various transactions of the Synod and
its several funds?" The Commission decided to advise the Board of Directors to refer this question to
legal counsel.
223. Michigan District Bylaws Re Budget Setting (Ag 1074) and Social Ministry (1082): The
Commission approved these amendments adopted by the Michigan District in its recent convention since
they are not in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.
224. Publish Irvine Opinion? (Ag. 1097): It was resolved to hold this item on the agenda to await further
developments.
225. Pastor as Executive Director (Ag. 1105): Rev. Carl Lampitt of First Lutheran, Pasadena, California,
had asked whether it was permissible for a congregation to designate the pastor as the executive director
of the congregation. The Commission resolved to advise the pastor to address this question to the CTCR
since it is studying the doctrine of the ministry.
226. Transfers to AELC (Ag. 1106): Pastor Robert Hobus of Wichita, Kansas had asked what policies
should be followed in requests for transfer of membership from a congregation to an AELC congregation.
The Secretary had replied calling attention to:the many different practices among our congregations
regarding transfers in general. The Commission ratified this reply and decided to remove the item from
the agenda.
227. Southern District Resolutions re Seminex (Ag. 1117): The Rev. M. H. Lehnhardt had asked the
Commission to rule on two resolutions passed in the 1976 Southern District convention : "To Support the
Calling and Certifying of Pastors" and "To Affirm the Ministry of Uncertified Pastors." Since the
enclosures were somewhat confusing the Secretary had inquired whether these resolutions had really
been adopted in the form in which they appeared in the enclosures. Before resolving to ask the pastor
once again for additional information and whether he still wishes to have an opinion on this matter (with
a carbon copy of this letter to President Ellermann), the Commission had come to the following tentative
conclusions subject to further information:
Resolution 1-09, first resolved: It is certainly improper for a District to affirm actions which are
contrary to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.
Resolution 2-03, first resolved: It is held that such a pastor is not "validly called" according to
synodical resolutions.