LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 3-4, 1978, Page 3

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17. Counselor Nominating Procedures (Ag. 1260, 1260A): Rev. Carl Nelson of Painesville, Ohio, had
asked several questions regarding the manner of nominating for Counselor. The Secretary had explained
that the majority is always a majority of those congregations actually participating in the election. If a
candidate receives support from the majority of the congregations participating, that is sufficient. If more
than one should receive support from the majority, then of course the one receiving the highest number of
votes is the candidate to be put on the Counselor ballot. He had also reiterated the Commission's decision
that congregations should not be compelled to nominate two men; they may nominate only one or none.
Furthermore, nominations which come in after the deadline cannot be accepted unless they are
postmarked within the required time period. The Commission ratified this reply.
18. Counselor Nominating Procedure Overlooked (Ag 1268): President Ronald Fink had written, stating
that through an oversight both he and the District secretary had forgotten to alert the congregations to
place men in nomination for the office of Circuit Counselor. Since most of the Counselors now serving
had been appointed by President Fink during the time of the upheaval in the Atlantic District, he was
reluctant to be forced now to appoint all of the Counselors because of this oversight. Since this is a
District election, the synodical Secretary had suggested, in the interest of time, that the District President
write to all congregations, explaining the situation and asking them still at this late date to send in
nominations and then await further instructions from the Commission. The Commission endorsed this
recommendation and additionally resolved to inform the Atlantic District President that the results of that
straw vote should be reported to the District convention with the proper explanation and with the question
posed to the convention whether it is willing to ratify this slate or whether, as prescribed in the Bylaws,
the convention wishes to amend the slate.
19. Bylaws for Fellowship in Canada (Ag. 1228): Dallas Resolution 3-24A had resolved "That the
Commission on Constitutional Matters, the CTCR, and the Canadian District Presidents study the
advisability of amending the Synod's Bylaws to grant Canadian Districts authority to negotiate towards
fellowship in Canada through The Lutheran Church-Canada and report to the next convention." The
Commission heard the report that strong efforts were now being made to have the three Canadian
Districts form a sister church. In that event that sister church would be free to establish its own fellowship
relations. However, in order to carry out the resolution, the Commission resolved to invite the three
Canadian District Presidents and three representatives of the CTCR to meet with a committee of the CCM
to discuss Resolution 3-24A.
20. Staggering Vice-Presidential Elections (Ag. 1239): In answer to a question from Secretary John L.
Heins of the Michigan District, the Secretary had replied that Bylaw 3.39, a, says specifically that "The
District President and Vice-Presidents shall be elected in the year following the regular election of the
officers of the Synod," and that therefore the staggering of the election of vice-presidents is not
permissible. The Commission endorsed this reply.
21. Teacher as District Treasurer (Ag. 1240): The Board of Directors of the Northwest District, through
Secretary D. C. Schroeder, had asked whether a man presently employed as treasurer of the District could
continue his status as a teacher on the roster of the Synod. The Secretary had replied, quoting Bylaw 3.21,
b, which requires the treasurer to be a layman, and had indicated that eventually this gentleman, if he
resigns his teacher status, could be reinstated under Bylaw 4.39. The Commission ratified the Secretary's
letter of October 24, 1977.
22. Women Holding Office and Voting (Ag. 1244): The Commission approved the usual reply of
Secretary Mueller to Rev. Randolph Mueller of the Iowa District East Committee on Constitutions
regarding the questions of woman suffrage and women holding office.