LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 7-9, 1979, Page 4

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been read with interest, but that he was not the Secretary of the Commission of Adjudication, as he had
been addressed in Pastor Loose's letter. In any event, the CCM had no information regarding this case.
266. Colorado District, Boulder Case (Ag. 1361): No further information had been received on this item
which will be continued on the agenda.
267. Colorado District Bylaws (Ag. 1185, B,C,D): Since the Commission had never received any reply
from President Phipps to the effect that the District had accepted the recommended Bylaw changes, the
Secretary was asked to write to President Phipps, asking him regarding such action.
268. Southern District Bylaws (Ag. 938A, B,C,D): The same held true also with reference to proposed
changes of the Southern District Bylaws. The Secretary is to write to President Meyer, asking for an
update.
269. North Dakota Bylaws (Ag. 1262 A): The Secretary was also asked to write to President Alwin
Reimnitz of the North Dakota District to determine whether that District had taken any further action to
comply with the recommendations of the CCM regarding its Bylaws.
270. Task Force (Ag. 1266A): Mueller gave an extended report on the Task Force activity to date. The
group is meeting every month. The September meeting was very fruitful, setting directions in this
confusing situation. However, especially those who were absent at that time have been introducing side
issues during the past two meetings, but it is hoped that the Task Force will get back on track soon.
Abdon and Draheim are to appear before the Task Force at the December meeting. The Task Force once
again expressed its puzzlement over the notice given to Abdon by congregations and Districts in view of
the faulty work which the CC14 has reviewed to date. The CCM also felt very strongly that no type of
legal overhaul should provide for the direction of the Synod to be removed from the delegates in
convention and placed into the hands of a smaller group such as a Board of Directors or a Board of
Trustees. It felt that such a move would not at all be accepted by the Synod to begin with.
271. ELIM White Paper (Ag. 1380): The Commission took note of this paper which had been issued by
ELIM. It is obvious that many people are still working at cross purposes to the Synod.
272. Two Names for a Congregation (Ag.1386): Pastor E. F. Dohrmann of Buckeye, Iowa had reported
that in the Articles of Incorporation his congregation is referred to as a congregation and in the
Constitution it is referred to as a church. He asked which was to be preferred and also whether the
preferred title would be St. Paul's or St. Paul? The Commission replied as follows: The issue between
church and congregation is really immaterial, but perhaps St. Paul Church would be preferred. In any
event, the name should be the same in both instruments.
273. C-N-H Circuits and Circuit Councils (Ag. 1387): Rev. E. Theo. DeLaney of Red Bluff, California
had written a long letter taking exception to some comments of the CCM regarding the organization of
that District's Circuits. The Secretary had indicated that even though other types of organization might be
possible, it would be wise to have one pastor and one lay person officially represented so that especially
when it comes to electing delegates to a convention there will be no confusion. The Commission ratified
the reply and suggested that the Secretary inform Pastor DeLaney that we are looking forward to
receiving the final copy of the proposed Bylaws of the District.
274. Sun Belt Associate Members (Ag. 1391): Retired teacher E. W. Hack of Mesa, Arizona had asked
about the propriety of having associate memberships for those who come to the sun belt during the winter
from northern congregations. The Secretary had replied that this was not a good arrangement, that the
pastoral responsibility of the congregation should be focused in one congregation, and that the difficulty