LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 3-4, 1978, Page 8

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Commission customarily recommends that an article on synodical affiliation be included, but that it
cannot be required. Congregations become members through the action of the congregation and through
the signing of the Synod's Constitution. Furthermore, the Commission called attention to the fact that the
tradition has been very strong in our Synod that actions on excommunication should be unanimous but
that the Minnesota North committee might wish to address this question specifically to the CTCR since it
is in the nature of a theological question.
57. Beginning Saturday morning Herbert Freise was no longer in attendance. Advisory member Guido
Merkens had left already during the course of the previous afternoon.
58. Task Force Report (Ag. 1266, A): The Commission spent some time discussing the tentative
proposals of the Task Force as these had been transmitted in outline form to the Secretary and also in the
Reporter. The Commission took note especially of the fact that the question of the relationship between
Synod and Districts has not yet been addressed. In anticipation of further reports, the Commission
decided to hold this item on its agenda.
59. Brazil Bylaws (Ag. 1202, A,B,C): Although a start had been made on this item on the previous day,
the Commission now did its detailed work and came to the conclusions indicated earlier in the minutes.
60. California-Nevada-Hawaii Bylaws (Ag. 11): On the basis of John Klotz's preliminary work, the
Commission drafted recommendations as attached to these minutes.
61. Ohio District Bylaws (Ag. 236): While Carl Eberhard was ready to present his analysis of these
Bylaws, since they had been submitted so many years ago it was finally agreed that the Secretary should
first secure updated copies of the District Bylaws which Eberhard could then compare with the copy
which he had analyzed.
62. Kansas District Handbook (Ag. 1193, A): On the basis of the analysis made by H. Mueller the
Commission also drafted its document with respect to the Kansas District Handbook (see attachment).
63. The meeting adjourned with the Lord's Prayer in unison.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

Minutes of the Meeting of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
June 9, 1978
64. The following were present at the beginning of the meeting: Herbert Freise, John Klotz, Carl
Eberhard, Herbert Mueller. Don Prevallet appeared during the discussion of agenda item 1275. Guido
Merkens was excused. John Klotz opened the meeting with prayer. The minutes of the previous meeting
were approved as submitted.
65. Housekeeping: The Secretary reported that he had received a notice from himself concerning the
registration of representatives for the 1979 synodical convention. All members of the Commission are
eligible. No reply has been received from North Dakota (Ag. 1262) or from Brazil (1202) regarding our
review of their respective Bylaws. Mr. Norman Sell submitted a statement (1284A) regarding a challenge
to his election and also indicated his availability if the Commission wished to call him for an appearance,
something which the Commission later felt was not necessary. The dates of the next meeting were firmed
up, September 15-16, 1978.