LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 30-31, 1981, Page 1

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discussed the difficulties perceived to exist between the doctrinal review process of the Synod and the
responsibility of the CPH Board to authorize publication of materials. It was claimed-that under the
present procedures the CPH Board had no clear idea as to the exact materials being published under its
jurisdiction. Gene Schnelz and Herbert Mueller were asked to work on a draft of an opinion which will be
circulated for approval and then attached to the Minutes. In general, the CCM continued to uphold the
fact that doctrinal review was the responsibility of the President's office, exercised through the doctrinal
review process, rather than the responsibility of the Concordia Publishing House Board of Directors,
which has business matters as its primary responsibility.
142. Model Congregational Constitutions (Ag. 1446): Schnelz was asked to have a report ready for the
April meeting.
143. Constien Reappointment (Ag. 1485): A member of the Board for Parish Education, Pastor Wayne E.
Schumpe of Brownstown, Indiana, had asked for a ruling on whether or not a tie vote on a resolution to
renew Dr. Constien's appointment for four years meant failure of the resolution and therefore the
termination of Dr. Constien's services. During the discussion it was pointed out that the Board for Parish
Education in the meantime had resolved at its most recent meeting in the previous week to extend Dr.
Constien's service for one additional year, presumably as acting executive secretary. The Commission
therefore decided to respond that it assumed in the light of the article in the Reporter relaying this
information that the question of Pastor Schumpe was now moot.
144. Clearwater Lodge Issue (Ag. 1465A,B,C-1,C-2): Although no further word had been received on this
matter it was agreed to hold the item on the agenda.
145. Congregational Nominations (Ag. 1477): President Henry Simon of North Wisconsin had asked
whether a parish was permitted to adopt restricted bylaws regarding the process for nominating
congregational officers. The Secretary had replied that basic parliamentary law provides that members
must have the right to open nominations. This reply was ratified by the Commission.
146. Deletions from Call List (Ag. 1479): In answer to a request from a Mr. Carl Beck of Hickory, North
Carolina, which had been transferred from the CTCR to the Secretary, he had stated that a District
President certainly can advise congregations in the calling process and even remove names of ineligible
persons but otherwise did not have the right to delete candidates from the call list. Since the matter was
not addressed to the Commission it decided to ratify the reply but not to address additional
correspondence to Mr. Beck.
147. Weddings by Lay Ministers (Ag. 1481): Seventeen congregations in the upper Midwest had
requested the CCM to modify its ruling that weddings should be performed by ordained ministers in line
with the Synod's traditional practice and also in view of the fact that state laws differ widely. The
Commission was sympathetic to the requests and finally resolved to advise the congregations to take the
problem to the Board for Lay Ministers with the request that that Board consider the possible desirability
of submitting an overture to the synodical convention to clarify the matter in the Bylaws in view of the
wide variation of state laws and to provide for the greatest possible uniformity in church practice in line
with Article III, 7.
148. Procedures for Bringing Charges Against Synodical President (Ag. 1482): The Commission took
note of a reply addressed by the Secretary to Pastor Arthur M. Weber of Highland Falls, New York
referring him to certain paragraphs in the Handbook.
149. Saskatoon Problem (Ag. 1483 A,B,C, 1469, 1489): Requests have been received from the Board for
Higher Education, the Board of Directors of the Manitoba and Saskatchewan District, the President of the