LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — July 25-26, 1980, Page 3

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decided to await further information and suggested that the Secretary request President Griesse to respond
in writing.
87. Kansas Bylaw Changes (Ag . 1414, A): The Commission will await the arrival of the copy adopted by
the convention as promised in correspondence.
88. Michigan District Bylaws (Ag. 1431, A): The revised Bylaws were submitted for review. The
Commission gave formal approval.
89. Pastor and Teacher Terminology (Ag. 1403, A, B): President Arthur T. Kuehnert had asked the
Secretary for reaction to proposals to clarify in the Central Illinois District bylaws references to
clergymen and teachers. The Commission formally ratified the suggestions which the Secretary had
offered.
90. Alberta/British Columbia Bylaws (Ag. 1419, A, B, 1426): The Commission had on hand the three
point reply of President Lehman stating 1) that the convention had not considered it necessary to add the
words "provided he is on the clergy roster of the Synod" since this is already required in the Handbook;
2) that the makeup of the Commission of Adjudication would be further studied for report to the next
convention; 3) and that certain errors in the original version had been corrected. The Commission
expressed its satisfaction with the reply, with the stipulation, however, that if any case should come
before the District Commission of Adjudication before the next convention, the President should
immediately move to secure the required attorneys from Commissions of Adjudication of other synodical
Districts.
91. Southeastern District Resolution on Fellowship (Ag. 1436, A, B): Pastor Connor Corkran, Jr. of
Hickory, North Carolina has asked the Commission to rule on the constitutionality of a resolution on
fellowship adopted by the Southeastern District convention. The Commission also had before it
correspondence from President Hinz of the District suggesting that perhaps the Commission did not have
the final version. Since the Secretary had immediately invited the President to supply the correct version
if the version transmitted to the CCM had not been correct and since no reply had been forthcoming, it
was assumed that the resolution was in its correct form before the Commission. The Commission adopted
the following opinion:
The first and second resolves are valid actions which a District convention may take, namely, to petition
the Synod for action.
Up to this time the congregations of the Synod have held that the establishment of church fellowship
should be a united action of the entire Synod (Bylaws 1.21, 3.07e, 16.03). "The practice [of] responsible
Christian fellowship" referred to in the third and fourth resolves of the resolution would, therefore, need
to observe this commitment made by the congregations to their sister congregations unless and until the
congregations acting in concert through synodical conventions adopt new agreements.
Any interpretation to the contrary would make the resolution at present unconstitutional. For example, if
the resolution is interpreted to mean "altar and pulpit fellowship" it is an unconstitutional action and,
therefore, null and void.
92. Women as Chairmen of Boards and Committees (Ag. 1438): Mr. Lewis H. Klockenga of Pekin,
Illinois had written in behalf of St. John's congregation stating that the congregation was in tension over
the question of whether women could serve as chairmen of boards and committees. The Secretary had
written a letter offering pastoral guidance in the matter aimed at preserving peace and unity in the
congregation, suggesting also that the congregation, if it would stipulate which chairmanships should be