LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 6-7, 1979, Page 1

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Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters
September 6-7, 1979
217. The opening prayer was offered by Carl Eberhard, who chaired the meeting in the absence of Herb
Freise. Others present were John Klotz and Herbert Mueller. Donald Prevallet appeared soon after the
opening of the meeting. The minutes of December 8, February 27, April 27, May 26-29, and July 6-13
were approved as submitted.
218. Status of Professors at River Forest (Ag. 1332,): The Secretary reported that he had had an informal
conversation with President Paul Zimmerman, relaying the suggestion that perhaps the matter ought to be
looked upon as a legal rather than a constitutional issue. Dr. Zimmerman had indicated some
disappointment over this but no renewed request for action by the Commission has been received as yet.
Nevertheless it was agreed to keep this item on the agenda.
219. Colloquy Student on Board of Control (Ag. 1373): President Robert Preus of the Fort Wayne
seminary had asked whether a teacher who had been elected to the Board of Control of that institution
could serve since he was also enrolled as a colloquy student at that seminary. Teacher Bultemeyer himself
had asked in a communication to the Secretary what he would need to do in order to be eligible. After
considerable discussion the Commission decided to inform Dr. Robert Preus, with carbon copy and
covering letter to Teacher Bultemeyer, that the Commission is extremely reluctant to rule on this question
and strongly urges that Teacher Bultemeyer consider the possibility of enrolling as a colloquy student at
the St. Louis seminary, an action which would remove any question of eligibility.
HANDBOOK (Ag. 1377)
The Commission now turned its attention to the production of the next issue of the Handbook. While
going through the materials the Commission took several specific actions in addition to simply approving
the more or less self-evident changes that had been introduced by the convention.
220. Foreword: The Commission approved the foreword prepared by the Secretary.
221. Dating of Convention: Since the convention had adjourned one day early it was resolved that it
should be listed as having been conducted from July 6-12 instead of 6-13.
222. Constitution, Article III, and First Paragraph of Article XI, E: Since constitutional amendments were
proposed for these two articles (Res. 2-03 and Res. 2-12) and will be decided by the congregations not
before January 23, the Commission decided to print the current articles since they will be in force at least
until that date, but to place both sections into a box with an asterisk referring to the appendix where the
proposed wording is to be printed.
223. Constitution, Article XII, Districts of the Synod, 13: It was decided to retain the footnote regarding
permission for South American Districts to meet also in those years in which the delegate Synod
convenes since Argentina would still be involved and this is a historical footnote.
224. Commission on Ministerial Health, Bylaw 2.111 c: The convention upon reconsideration of Res.
8-03 had decided to authorize the engagement of a full-time executive staff officer for the Commission on
Ministerial Health, asking the Board of Directors to implement this by the beginning of fiscal year 1981.
However, since there may be no executive on board until that time, the Commission resolved to retain
Bylaw 2.111 c, which calls upon the Personnel Director of the Synod to perform staff work as necessary
for this Commission. The Commission on Ministerial Health and Mr. William Barge are to be informed