LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 25-26, 1980, Page 2

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discussion the original opinion was adopted as amended at this meeting (attached to Minutes). This dealt
with a question from New England.
78. Seating of Delegates (Ag. 1435): The Commission also reviewed once again the opinion in answer to
a request from the Eastern District regarding the seating of delegates at a District convention and decided
to reaffirm it. (See attachment to previous Minutes).
79. Overtures re Seminex Graduates (Ag. 1445, A): In answer to a request from Rev. M. H. Lehnhardt
the Secretary had evaluated as unconstitutional overtures giving full recognition and full speaking and
voting privileges at the Southern District convention to uncertified Seminex graduates, giving
congregations served
by them the full support of the District and declaring that vacant congregations be given the opportunity
of having recommended to them Seminex graduates as candidates. The Commission ratified this reply.
80. Speaking Privileges for Uncertified Seminex Pastors (Ag. 1453, 1455, A, B): Pastor George L. Miller
of Pensacola, Florida, and Pastor William G. Kennell had asked whether the Southern District was acting
in harmony with the Constitution Bylaws in granting speaking rights to uncertified Seminex graduates.
Upon request of the Secretary, President Richard Meyer of the Southern District had stated in writing that
President Preus had declared "that the right to speak on the convention floor may be granted by the
convention to anyone." After detailed discussion the Commission formulated an opinion (attached to the
minutes) in which it ruled that this action of the Southern District convention was improper and void.
81. Speaking Rights of Emeriti (Ag. 1459): Pastor William Kennell had also asked whether it was proper
for a District convention to pass a special resolution giving emeriti pastors speaking privileges or whether
that was not a right which belonged to them by reason of their membership in the Synod. In answer to
these questions the Commission ruled: Emeriti are still on the clergy roster of the Synod and therefore are
advisory delegates to District conventions and are eligible to be chosen as advisory delegates (and to
participate in the process) to synodical conventions. No convention resolutions granting such privileges
are proper or necessary since this is a right and not a privilege which belongs to the emeriti pastors and
teachers.
82. Eligibility of Advisory Pastoral Delegate (Ag. 1455, B): Pastor George Miller had also asked whether
it was permissible for a certain individual who in his estimation was on the staff of the District to be
chosen to represent t he advisory pastors of a District at a synodical convention. Correspondence with
President Meyer indicated that the man in question was not on the payroll of the District. The
Commission also noted that in a previous ruling it had expressed the opinion, because of the lack of
clarity in the Bylaw language, that a pastor who is an executive of a District could be eligible to be chosen
not only as a representative of that District Board of Directors but also as a delegate of the Advisory
Pastors of the District.
83. Bylaws for St. Catherine's Seminary (Ag. 1375): Resolution 3-06A of the 1979 synodical convention
had directed the CCM to propose bylaws for governing this seminary in Canada. Klotz agreed to try his
hand at it.
84. Minnesota South District (Ag. 1427A): The District has decided to await the recommendations of the
synodical Task Force before preceeding with any reorganization.
85. Vera Matthews Correspondence re Southern Illinois (Ag. 1430): The Commission took note of this
item and removed it from the agenda.
86. Memphis High School (Ag. 1434): The Secretary reported that President Griesse had stated that the
reorganization of the High School Association of Memphis was now under discussion. The Commission