LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 25-26, 1977, Page 8

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Committee #10 - Minorities: Eberhard
Committee #13 - Program Implementation: Freise
The Secretary will again write to the chairmen of these floor committees to gain entree. He was also
asked to provide for housing at the Cheshire Inn for the members of the Commission during the May
meetings.
The meeting adjourned with the Lord's Prayer in unison.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary
Notes on a Telephone Conference Call Involving the
Commission on Constitutional Matters
March 25, 1977 - 6:30 p.m.
Hoffmann "Consent": The undersigned reported that Doctor Oswald Hoffmann had been selected by the
congregations as one of the five nominees for President but in submitting his consent form had deleted the
words referring to "willingness to serve if elected." In a covering letter Doctor Hoffmann maintained that
his consent to have his name on the ballot was sufficient and that the additional requirement was in his
opinion a violation of the doctrine of the call.
The Commission members reviewed the fact that at least two attempts had been made at the 1973
convention, in an effort to accommodate Doctor Hoffmann, to delete from the Bylaws the reference to
"willingness to serve if elected," but that both efforts had failed. It was also pointed out that his was a
theological argument and that the CCM does not rule on theological matters. Doctor Hoffmann had
indicated in his covering letter that the Commission should indeed rule that particular bylaw
unconstitutional.
It was suggested that the Secretary inform Doctor Hoffmann of these facts. During the discussion it was
also pointed out that the doctrine of the call was now under close study by the CTCR but that perhaps the
Commission members should not presume to advise Doctor Hoffmann what to do. It was also pointed out
that past presidents had been elected and had continued to hold a call to another position, as for example
Doctor Walther retaining his position as president of the seminary.
Prior to the discussion the Secretary had also called attention to the ruling of the CCM prior to the 1973
convention to the effect that a person nominated from the floor would be required to give the same written
consent to serve if elected as those who had been nominated several months earlier through the
congregational process. The Commission members saw no reason to change that ruling since the bylaw
was plain and had been in fact reiterated by the New Orleans convention.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
May 28-31, 1977
281. This meeting, which was held in connection with the convention floor committees on the seminary
campus in St. Louis, was opened with a prayer by Herbert Mueller. All members were present. The
minutes of the previous meeting were approved as submitted.