LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 15, 1978, Page 4

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119. Dissolution Paragraph, Congregational Constitutions (Ag. 1309): Through Dr. Preus the Texas
District Committee on Constitutions had asked for approval of a proposed dissolution paragraph for
congregational constitutions. The Commission adopted the following reaction:
1.

The paragraph seems to be acceptable as far as it goes, but congregations are seldom
dissolved. The paragraph does not address itself to the more difficult question of a
congregation dividing into two congregations.

2.

Perhaps the Synod should be mentioned as one of the possible beneficiaries to which the
property could be transferred in case of dissolution, especially in view of the support,
possibly even financial, which the congregation had received through the years from the
Synod and/or its District.

120. Voting Rights of Pastor (Ag. 1316): In reply to a question from President August T. Mennicke the
Secretary had stated once again that a pastor's right to vote in a Circuit meeting or at a District convention
ceases when he has formally accepted a call to another parish, that from that point on he is strictly
speaking serving as a vacancy pastor. The Commission once again ratified this position.
121. Selective Fellowship (Ag. 265, B; 290): Since both the CTCR in one of its documents and the Synod
itself in convention have addressed themselves to the question of selective fellowship, the Commission
decided to remove these old items from its docket.
122. Constitutional Definitions (Ag. 397): Already in 1972 the CCM had asked the CTCR to clear up for
possible inclusion in a rewrite of the Constitution some of the difficult terms and expressions in the
Constitution as well as the whole area of inter-church relations and joint activities. Since both the CTCR
and the Task Force on Constitution, Bylaws, and Structure are working on these matters, the CCM
decided to remove this from its agenda.
123. Joint Services and Rallies With Other Lutheran Bodies (Ag. 479): Since both the CTCR and the
Synod have acted on the questions raised by Rev. Curtis Peterson, then of Rock Falls, Illinois (1973), the
item was ordered removed from the docket.
124. Southern District Bylaws (Ag. 938A); Colorado District Bylaws (Ag. 1185B): The Secretary was
asked to write again to determine whether the recommended changes had indeed been approved by the
two Districts involved.
125. Constitutions Based on Mission Affirmations (Ag. 293N): This 1972 item was ordered removed
from the agenda.
126. North Dakota District Bylaws (Ag. 1262A): This item will be held since additional information
regarding further actions has been promised by the District.
127. Fellowship List (Ag. 1310, A): The Commission took note of the correspondence with Rev. N. C.
Sincebaugh of North Dakota that the CTCR had declined at this time to try to develop a list of churches
with which the Synod is officially in fellowship. It was again pointed out that the CCM felt that this list
should not be incorporated in the Handbook but rather in the Annual. The Commission ratified this
position.
128. Calls of District Executives (Ag. 1312): In answer to a request from Rev. Marcus T. Lang of Grand
Junction, Colorado, the Secretary had sketched for him the history and the present status of calls or
appointments for executives. The Commission ratified this reply.