LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 8-9, 1980, Page 2

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At its February 8-9, 1980 meeting the synodical Commission on Constitutional Matters reviewed
once again the documents, correspondence, and especially Resolution 2-01 prepared by the
District floor committee regarding the adoption of the new Bylaws.
At its December meeting, in an effort to be helpful, the Commission on Constitutional Matters
had set aside other items which had received prior scheduling for consideration and instead
devoted quite a number of hours to a review of the Southern Illinois District proposed Bylaws.
The Commission is disappointed and concerned to note that Resolution 2-01 and its
accompanying document apparently take no note of the recommendations made by the
Commission in its December meeting.
The Commission is reminded of the fact that several years ago the Southern Illinois District
adopted on an "experimental basis" a new set of Bylaws ostensibly based on the Mission
Affirmations. The Commission expressed concern at that time as to which set of Bylaws really
governs the District. Perhaps you yourself are not clear on this question and therefore are most
desirous of adopting formally a set of Bylaws at this time.
Therefore, again in an effort to be helpful, the Commission suggests that if the Southern Illinois
District convention really feels that affirmative action must be taken at this time, it immediately
incorporate into the proposed Bylaws at least those constitutional (as distinguished from
practical) recommendations officially conveyed by the CCM after its December, 1979 meeting,
and that the document then be adopted subject to review and approval (the addition of this word
is extremely important; note synodical Bylaws 2.107 g and 3.07 b, last sentence) of the synodical
Commission on Constitutional Matters. Subsequent changes could then be reported for
ratification to the 1982 convention of the District. Such a procedure at least would allow the
District to operate with a set of Bylaws which would have standing.
We would note in closing that, depending on the wording of the adoption, it could be legally
perilous to adopt Bylaws on a trial or experimental basis.
The Secretary was asked to speak personally on this matter to the Vice-President who will be representing
the President at the District convention. It was also resolved that this communication should be addressed
to the District in care of President Al Kollmann with carbon copies to Pastor Hischke and the other
members of the special committee, the members of the floor committee, Pastor Kurowski who had
requested a ruling on this matter from the Commission, and the individual representing President Preus at
the convention.
6. Teacher Tom Kent's Continuing Service on Winfield Board of Control (Ag. 1402 and 1410) : Since
Teacher Tom Kent, who had been elected to the Winfield Board of Control as a teacher member, is now
in the process of completing the colloquy program for the pastoral ministry and will soon be ordained,
both the Board of Control and President Bruening of the Kansas District had asked for a ruling regarding
his continuing service on the Board. The Commission resolved:
Ordination into the pastoral ministry of the Synod makes an individual ineligible for continuation
on the teacher roster of the Synod. Therefore such an individual cannot fill a teacher position on
the Board of Control.
7. Central Illinois Definitions of "Pastor" (Ag. 1403): President Arthur Kuehnert had written to the
Commission, stating that the District had had difficulty in the past in determining the meaning of the
word "pastor" with reference to eligibility to s erve on various boards. The District board was therefore