LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 8, 1978, Page 1

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137. The opening prayer was given by Dr. Carl Eberhard. At the beginning Donald Prevallet was still
absent because of bad driving conditions. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as read.
138. Task Force (Ag. 1266A): Secretary Mueller reported that he had been involved recently in some of
the work regarding auxiliaries and other related agencies and had been asked to submit a rewrite of
Article VII but had suggested instead tightening up Article VI on Conditions of Membership which
should alleviate some of the problems connected with Article VII.
139. Old CTCR Materials (Ag. 265, 290, 397, 479): A memo from Rev. Jerald C. Joersz called attention
to the fact that these items have been dealt with by the CTCR in various actions within the past year or
two.
140. New England Study (Ag. 344E): The Commission took note of the letter from President Martin P.
Dienst in answer to the Commission's review of that District's Bylaws. President Dienst states that a study
is underway now to revise the structure of the District.
141. J. W. Behnken Statement (Ag. 1266B): The Commission also noted a Lutheran Witness reprint from
April 21, 1959 in which President J. W. Behnken comments on the trend towards centralization in the
Synod.
142. President Simon on Dual Calls (Ag. 1288C): Also noted was a letter from President Simon of the
North Wisconsin District in which he indicated that he was beginning to agree with the position expressed
several months ago by the secretary regarding the question of whether a call to the other congregation
continues when one congregation decides to withdraw from a dual calling arrangement.
143. Hierarchical Church (Ag. 1333): The Commission also noted an article on this subject in Missouri in
Perspective in which the CCM was charged with furthering hierarchical tendencies.
144. Vice-Presidents and Treasurer as Voting Members of District Board of Directors (Ag. 1314): The
chairman of the Manitoba-Saskatchewan Handbook Committee had asked whether these officers could be
voting members of the District Board of Directors. The secretary had indicated that some Districts do
have vice-presidents as voting members and most of them also give this privilege to the treasurer,
especially if he is elected and not appointed. The Commission ratified the secretary's reply.
145. Circuit Meetings at Conventions (Ag. 1328): It also ratified his reply to Secretary Theodore W.
Eisold of the Florida-Georgia District that Circuit meetings for the election of delegates could be held in
connection with District conventions if congregations in a dual parish situation were duly notified of their
privilege of being represented at such Circuit meetings.
146. Southern District Bylaws (A g. 938A,B,C,D); Colorado District Bylaws (A g. 1185B, C,D ; North
Dakota Reactions (Ag. 1262A): These items were held on the agenda pending receipt of further
information from the three Districts.
147. Congregational Bylaws (Ag. 1325): Further word had been received from the Rev. Theodore
Allwardt, Sr. of Garrison, North Dakota, taking strong exception to the Commission's position that certain
aspects of congregational bylaws could be properly reviewed by the District Constitution Committee to
determine whether the principles of the Synod are being observed. The Commission ratified the more
detailed reply which the secretary had sent and suggested further correspondence referring to other
opinions and giving further assurances if possible.