LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 9, 1978, Page 7

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89. Teachers' Status, Ohio Conference (Ag. 1259A, 1259B): The opinion adopted by the CCM at the
previous meeting and quoted in the paragraph above received a negative reply from the person who had
asked for the opinion, Teacher Ronald Seibert of St. Thomas, Rocky River, Ohio. The teacher stated that
he had not asked whether something was unconstitutional but whether it had been contrary to the Bylaws.
Secretary Mueller had replied that it was generally assumed throughout the Synod that if something is in
violation of the Bylaws it is in violation of the Constitution and that therefore the action discussed in that
opinion is one which is unconstitutional. He referred him for any further comments on the definition of
"fellowship" to the CTCR. The Commission ratified this reply. Mr. Manthei, the chairman of the Ohio
District Teachers Conference, had also written, stating that he had been informed that his organization's
constitution had been declared to be unconstitutional. The Secretary had replied that this had not been the
situation but that the Commission had simply ruled that non-Missouri Synod individuals could not hold
membership in the official District teachers conferences. He had gone on to explain that the conference
could very readily provide in its Bylaws for other Lutheran teachers to attend as guests although they
should not serve on committees. The Commission ratified also this reply.
90. Termination of Call to Dual Parish (Ag. 1288, A,B): The Secretary had carried on correspondence
with President Simon:of the North Wisconsin District, Missions, Stewardship, Evangelism Counselor W.
L. Krieger of that District and C. W. Gade, chairman of that District's Board for Missions, as a result of
President Simon's original question as to whether or not a pastor's call to a dual parish is terminated if one
of the congregations decides to withdraw from the dual arrangement. The Secretary had expressed grave
doubts as to whether a call could really be considered terminated if only a portion of those calling would
withdraw from the call. The latest communication from the District indicated that they had addressed the
question also to the CTCR. The Commission therefore resolved to notify the North Wisconsin District
that it is glad that the parties have approached the CTCR since the CTCR has a major study on the call
underway and that the CCM is happy to let the CTCR handle the problem.
91. Brazil Recognition as Sister Church (Ag. 34.U, 1292): The Commission ratified the letter which the
Secretary had sent answering the question as to the procedures for gaining recognition as a sister church
by pointing to Bylaw 16.03.
92. CCM Minutes and Concordia Historical Institute (Ag. 1305): Dr. August Suelflow had renewed his
request for a copy of the CCM minutes. The Commission resolved to inform him that the minutes are still
of "current operational value" and that it deals constantly in precedents.
93. Ohio District Bylaws (Ag. 236): Carl Eberhard reported that the Ohio District had forwarded more
recent revisions of its Bylaws in answer to our latest request but that President Ziegler had also stated that
more actions would be taken at this summer's convention. It was therefore resolved to notify President
Ziegler that we would await the revised update of the Bylaws in orderly form.
94. English District-Woman Suffrage (Ag. 1295): An individual named Alton Broten of the Committee
on Women of the English District had inquired about any additional guidelines that the CCM might have
issued. The Secretary had replied stating that the original guidelines were still in effect and that the only
significant additional action had been for the Commission to state that the Denver convention had limited
the offices which women could hold but not the matters on which they could vote, if a congregation
wished to extend woman suffrage. This reply was ratified.
95. Overtures Presented by National Indian Lutheran Board (Ag 1276): In answer to a question the
Secretary had informed Rev. Luther A. Werth of Shawnee, Kansas, that the Indian Board is not qualified
to submit overtures to a District convention. The Commission ratified this letter.