LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 30-31, 1981, Page 2

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Alberta-British Columbia District as well as a supporting petition from students at Saskatoon, asking for a
ruling as to whether or not the recent decision of the BHE concerning the phasing out of the Saskatoon
program was in line with the convention resolution. After some discussion the Commission resolved to
make official the personal opinion which the Secretary had shared with Dr. Rosin on December 29:
Interpretation of 1979 Resolution 6-04A
1. The last junior to enroll in the Saskatoon program should be in the fall of 1980. Juniors in
1981 and in subsequent years must enroll in the alternate program to be developed by the BHE. In
other words, the new program will begin with the junior class in 1981, will have two classes in
1982, three classes in 1983, etc.
2. On the other hand, it also seems clear that those who have already enrolled at Saskatoon by
September, 1980 or in an earlier year should be permitted to finish their course of study at
Saskatoon instead of transferring out to the new program.
3. The key to understanding the resolution is the final resolved. A phasing-out is a gradual
process. Furthermore, the adding of an additional class each year in the new program makes the
intent of the resolution quite clear.
150. Appeals Rights (Ag. 1488): In answer to a telephone request from President Elwood Zimmermann of
the Indiana District the Secretary had written stating that in his opinion when an individual resigns from
membership in the Synod he loses his right of appeal. The Commission ratified this reply.
151. Teacher Calls to Pan-Lutheran School Associations (Ag. 1471, 1491, 1491A) : Mr. Harold Leimer of
the District office of the Missouri District had asked for clarification of the procedures and status
involving school associations. The roster committee of the Council of Presidents had also suggested
substituting certain paragraphs for the present paragraph 5 of the Council of Presidents Manual for Roster
Guidelines and had asked for an opinion of the CCM regarding the proposal. The Commission resolved
upon the following reply to the Council of Presidents, which could also serve as the basis of its reply to
Mr. Leimer:
At this moment in history, somewhat removed from the distressing situation encountered several
years ago by congregations in school associations, the CCM suggests that the text on page 2 of
the January 5, 1981 letter to the Commission on Constitutional Matters Roster Committee of the
CPH would be an acceptable and even advisable replacement for Paragraph 5 of the "Guidelines"
appearing on page 30 of the Council of Presidents Roster Manual.
However, the Commission on Constitutional Matters suggests that point 1 as proposed by your
committee eliminate certain words so that it would read "l. Such teachers may request candidate
status on the teacher roster" since there is no temporary continuance of status. Furthermore, in
point 2 the Commission recommends the addition of the word "substantial" before "other duties."
The Commission is of the opinion that the heading for that guideline is still appropriate but the
principle stated would apply generally to other school associations.
152. Dual Membership (Ag. 1492): President George Bornemann of the English District had written to
the Secretary stating that Atonement Congregation in Florissant, Missouri wished to appeal his action in
terminating their membership in the Synod because of dual membership in the AELC, on the basis that
the action of the Synod in assuming that this was a constitutional matter was wrong and that the issue was
really theological in nature. The Secretary had written to President Bornemann stating that the Synod
itself through Dallas Res. 5-01 had affirmed the constitutional nature of the issue and that the only