LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 7-8, 1983, Page 1

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125. Model Constitution, Iowa West District (Ag. 1638) : The District Committee on Congregational
Constitutions had submitted a model constitution with the request that it be reviewed by the CCM. The
following comments were offered for transmittal to that committee:
Article III. ". . . with the Scriptures . . . should be inserted on the last line.
Article V. The Commission holds that a separate Article on the, termination of membership
(excommunication, etc.) should be included in the constitution. Furthermore, under C, Option 2,
the Commission raises the question of whether it might be advisable to introduce some type of
reference to limitation on offices which women could hold. It has to this point been of the opinion
that a statement like that in Article IV ought to be sufficient but still is of the opinion that a
statement on limitation is advisable.
Article VI, B. The fact that this person must be a clergy member of the Synod ought to be
included here. The Commission also notes that the procedures f or calling are not included;
perhaps these will be set forth in the bylaws.
Article IX, B. Bylaws are necessary on this subject if not treated more extensively in the
Constitution.
Article IX, E. Since also women teachers are involved it might be best to use the plural pronoun
"their" in reference to official duties.
Article X, E. This Article needs further attention and should be reviewed by legal counsel since
such expressions as "disband" and .. entity" have little legal identity.
Article XII. The Committee ought not issue a constitution without bylaws. Perhaps something
needs to be said in the bylaws about the role of women. Bylaws should also be reviewed by the
District.
Article XIII. Instead of referring to some Articles as unalterable the Commission now favors
distinguishing between the Articles of a constitution by making it much more difficult to amend
certain Articles by providing for a larger affirmative vote, prior notices,. perhaps at least two
readings of the amendment in a meeting, etc.
In general, the Commission is of the opinion that it would be better to postpone issuing a constitution
until the synodical Commission on Constitutional Matters has finished its work on model congregational
constitutions. It also calls attention to the fact that no reference is made to Robert's Rules of Order or
other parliamentary authorities; nor is any reference made to a quorum.
126. CCM Convention Report (Ag. 1639): This had been shared previously with the members of the
Commission. After agreeing that perhaps certain items from the present meeting could still be added and
after including a paragraph stating that the CCM has often been approached during the past biennium in
regard to woman suffrage and offices which women could hold, the report was approved for submission.
127. Reprinting of Opinions (Ag. 1640): It was resolved to publish in the Appendix of the Workbook the
following opinions of the past biennium:
Status of Pastors and Teachers Serving Non-Member Congregations
Convention Action re ALC Fellowship
Article VI and Article VII