LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 6-13, 1979, Page 3

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

2. The Commission holds that a Counselor cannot properly state that he is "duty bound" to
participate without violating the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.
3. The Commission also holds that a Counselor cannot separate himself and his synodical office as
Counselor and assert that he participates in such a ceremony as an individual pastor and not as a
Counselor. The Commission would also find objectionable the open-ended ordination.
4. The Commission holds that its "Opinion Re Anaheim Resolution 5-02A" should be interpreted to
refer to Circuit Counselors as well as to District Presidents.
Bylaw 4.01 is also important here. A Counselor should not encourage a congregation to pursue a course
which leads ultimately to forfeiture of membership.
209. Merkens (Ag. 1360): The Commission took note of the resignation of Dr. Merkens as an advisory
member of the Commission.
Tuesday
210. Trust Fund Northwest Area (Ag. 1372): A request had now been received, at the instigation of
layman Arthur Freitag, from Rev. Arnold Strohschein, asking whether any monies of the trust fund under
discussion could be used for the support of a Seminex student. The Commission finally resolved to reply
that it would be necessary to secure facts from all sides before the CCM could form an opinion. The
Secretary was also to write to the District President and to suggest that no disbursement of funds from this
trust fund be made to a Seminex student until the matter had been considered, and also asking the District
President to submit his viewpoints. Copies of both letters are to go to the other parties concerned.
211. LCUSA Problem, Committee 3: Carl Eberhard reported in considerable detail on the problem which
Floor Committee #3 was having with Robert Hirsch regarding the LCUSA issue. This has now been
presented as a matter from the Board of Directors. A member of the CCM referred to the bylaw which
requires that reactions to proposed resolutions of the floor committees should be submitted, even by
delegates, in writing at least one week prior to the convention. Charles Bergstrom of the OGA office of
LCUSA had also consented to appear before the committee to answer any questions that might arise.
212. Allwardt Letter (Ag. 1325B): The Commission took note of this.
213. Colorado District Commission of Adjudication (Ag. 1361): It was reported that Dr. Preus had
written to that commission, stating that the hearing date was altogether too early and that in his estimation
all the commission there needed to do was to inquire whether the appealing parties did indeed hold
membership in the AELC.
214. Mixed Weddings (Ag. 1358): The Commission took note of the reply which the Secretary had sent
to a woman who had asked several questions about this issue.
215. Bible Translaters (Ag. 1356): The Commission also noted the actions taken previously with respect
to roster status of those serving the Bible Translaters.
216. The Commission met also on Wednesday and Thursday noon over lunch to hear reports of
developments from the various floor committees and to discuss the progress of the resolutions on the
floor. These discussions dealt especially with constitutional aspects of the issues involved.
Herbert Mueller, Secretary