LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — October 1, 1982, Page 1

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The question had been asked as to who may participate in the deliberations of a Commission on
Adjudication after elections have been held: Do the retiring members still continue on the case? Do new
members of the Commission participate? The Commission on Constitutional Matters ruled that if the case
has already been argued before the Commission on Adjudication, only the continuing and reelected
members may decide the case; if the case has not been argued as yet, new members are participants. In
either case the retiring members are no longer involved.
THE COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

Minutes of the Meeting of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - October 1, 1982
69. Chairman Carl Eberhard opened the meeting with prayer. Present: Kermit Brashear II, Carl Eberhard,
John Klotz, Herbert Mueller, and Gene Schnelz. Eberhard reported that Mueller had substituted for him at
the installation of Karl Barth as President of Concordia Seminary. It was also reported that the new
International Center would undoubtedly be ready for the next meeting of the Commission in January.
70. Launhardt Request (Ag. 1606) : Pastor Louis Launhardt of Cape Girardeau had requested the
privilege of a personal appearance before the Commission in connection with his request (Ag. 1606). The
Commission gave approval to the Secretary's consent to this request and also to the arrangement to have
Rev. Joersz of the CTCR staff present during the presentation (see Minutes 78).
71. Minutes: The Secretary requested that the Minutes of the last meeting be revised to add to Minutes 37,
Paragraph 4, the Fort Wayne Board of Control members, Rev. William Fehl and Rev. Willard
Niederbrach, with terms running from 1975-79 and from 1979-83. Thereupon the Minutes were approved
as revised.
72. Eligibility for Renomination, Appeals and Adjudication (Ag. 1587, 1608, 1630) : The Secretary had
asked the Commission to review its previous decision regarding these two commissions. The Commission
thereupon decided to reaffirm,, its previous rulings, with Kermit Brashear abstaining.
73. Black Ministry Appointments (Ag. 1618) : President Ralph Bohlmann had asked for assistance in
determining what should be done with respect to the problems involving appointments to the Black
Ministry Commission because of the differentials in length of terms. After considerable discussion the
Commission ruled that all appointments made at this time should run until December 31, 1983.
Thereupon the next terms would all expire December 31, 1986. With respect to Rev. John Poole and
laypersons Benjamin Porter and Viola Coleman, who were appointed to serve until December 31, 1984,
the Commission ruled that they should be permitted to serve until that date; thereupon their successors are
to be appointed to two-year terms, ending December 31, 1986. As a result, by December 31, 1986 terms
of all members will be expiring at the same time, as required.
74. Edmonton Convention Representation (Ag. 1619) : Since the college in Edmonton had been officially
recognized by the last synodical convention as a college of the Synod, it had asked whether it could have
advisory representation at the synodical convention in the same way that all other colleges and seminaries
are represented. The Commission ruled in the affirmative.