LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 29, 1983, Page 3

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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If in fact the Lutheran Book of Worship is not "doctrinally pure," then under Article VI of our Synod's
Constitution it should not be used by our congregations. However, we can find no evidence of an official
decision on the part of the convention of the Synod itself that the Lutheran Book of Worship is doctrinally
impure.
159, Minnesota South District Bylaws (Ag. 1643): The Commission spent some time in going through
this recently submitted document. It was suggested, by way of expressing a caution so that no great
expense would be incurred in printing the Bylaws, that the Secretary should inform the District that the
CCM had undertaken only a preliminary review, but had already found several items that it wished to call
to the District's attention, namely:
Articles of Incorporation - Not only congregations but also pastors and teachers are members of
the Synod and of its Districts. Also, the articles seem to be longer than necessary.
Article II, Section 3, b - This would be much more happily phrased if the singular would be used
instead of plurals, "every member congregation
Page 8 -

Note seems to be misplaced. Is it part of the Articles? Perhaps it should be stated
more firmly in the Articles or in the Bylaws that the Constitution of the Synod is the
Constitution of the Minnesota South District.

2.00 -

This should be preceded by a section on membership (incl. 2.14). Perhaps "member"
should be defined more closely.

2.06 and elsewhere - "District" for "Synod."
2.40 c -

The nominating procedure, however, should not cover nominations for President and
Vice-Presidents.

3.02 -

Instead of "his" use "the' or "this.'

4.06 d -

"Two laypersons of the Board of Directors" or some other phrasing would be an
improvement.

16.02 - Use records" instead of "historical materials,
17.06 a -

The signing of a "Declaration of Intent" is now obsolete

160. Canadian Seminary (Ag. 1647-1642): Rev. Howard Ulmer of Saskatchewan continues to protest the
procedure for designating Canadian seminary training. The Secretary had written a reply, calling attention
to the ruling of the CCM that the convention had acted properly and also admitting that Canadian law
makes it rather difficult for the Synod to take actions thoroughly acceptable to all. The Commission
decided to ratify the reply.
160a. Comments, Questions of Louis Rusch (Ag. 1648-1643) : Rev. Louis Rush of the Northwest
District Committee on Constitutional Matters had written another letter containing complaints and
suggestions. The Secretary had replied on the basis of previous actions and also had indicated that the
Commission would continue to keep his suggestions on file. The Commission ratified this reply.