LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — April 29, 1983, Page 4

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161. Calling of Professional Workers (Ag. 1651): Rev. James Cotter of Denver had written, calling
attention to some proposed changes in the constitution of Redeemer, Denver, with special reference to the
calling or appointing of teachers and DCE's. It was difficult for the Commission to ascertain precisely
what the issues were. It finally decided to inform Pastor Cotter that it would be better for him to follow
the regular procedures of taking questions pertaining to congregational constitutions to the District
committee, but that it might be well for him, for the benefit of the District committee, to detail more
clearly the issues involved.
162. Colorado District Bylaws (Ag. 1185, A): The Commission took note of the receipt now of the
printed copies of the Colorado District Bylaws, which had been under long discussion.
163. Christ the King Constitution, Spencer, Iowa (Ag. 1625C): The chairman of the District Constitution
Committee, Rev. Frederick Kempfert, had brought the CCM up to date on the latest actions with respect
to this debatable constitution. The Commission decided to inform him that it had reviewed the
correspondence and reiterates its letter of October 8, 1982. Specifically, the Commission has the
following reactions to the points set forth in Pastor Kempfert's latest letter:
Article III Confession. The Commission takes no further exception.
Article IV Membership. This article still goes beyond the confessional statement of the Synod
and the Commission on Constitutional Matters cannot agree that it is acceptable.
Article VI Office of the Teacher. If this article implies that women can teach only women and
children, it is not acceptable. The Commission can find no evidence that the Synod takes such a
restrictive position toward the role of women in the church. Therefore, the Commission on
Constitutional Matters concludes that the position taken in the constitution under consideration
does not agree with the practice of the Synod and goes beyond its present confessional stance,
and is therefore unacceptable.
A telephone call from Pastor Kempfert informs us that the congregation has changed Article II to say
"approximately 6000 years" and has dropped entirely the reference to women teaching in Article VI.
164. Women and Emeriti (Ag. 1646-1641) : The Secretary had answered a letter from Rev. Herman W.
Mueller, chairman of the Constitution Committee of the Southern California District, and had indicated
that even though we may not be able to compel congregations to include articles limiting the offices
which women could hold, nevertheless, every congregation of the Synod is expected to abide by the
resolutions of the Synod. He had also pointed out that retired persons may serve on committees unless
there is a prohibition to that effect, since emeriti pastors and teachers are still members of the Synod. The
Commission ratified this reply.
165. Committee Designations: The following assignments were made for covering the floor committees at
their meeting in May and also in July:
Committee 1 - Eberhard
Committee 2 - Klotz
Committee 3 - Eberhard
Committee 4 - Schnelz and Brashear
Committee 5 - Mueller, Brashear, Schnelz
Committee 6 - Klotz