LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 28, 1983, Page 1

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170. Establishing Church Relations: In answer to a request from Committee 3 concerning Overture 3-65,
the Commission adopted an opinion (attached to the minutes) stating that Districts are not free to establish
fellowship relations
171. Lutheran Church--Canada (Ag. 1653): Rev. John Korcok had disputed the right of Lutheran Church-Canada to submit Overture 5-17 to the convention. The Commission adopted an opinion (attached)
affirming the right.
172. Number of Vice-Presidents: Committee 5 inquired if the vice-presidents were to be reduced in
number to one, must the Constitution be amended? The Commission ruled in the negative (see
attachment).
Herbert Mueller, Secretary

Opinion Re Establishing Fellowship Relationships
On the basis of Bylaws 2.01 and 3.07 e, the Commission holds that the right to establish fellowship
relations belongs not to a District but to the Synod in convention. Districts are free to petition the Synod
to establish such relations, but are not free to establish them unilaterally.
THE COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
May 28, 1983

Opinion Re Lutheran Church--Canada
Since Lutheran Church--Canada is an administrative unit of the Synod, created by the Synod, and consists
of Districts and congregations of the Synod, the Commission on Constitutional Matters holds that
Lutheran Church--Canada may submit reports to the synodical convention,
COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
May 28, 1983

Opinion Re Reducing Number of Vice Presidents
The Commission on Constitutional Matters has been asked to render an opinion regarding Article X, A, 2
as it relates to the plural nature of the non-vice president in light of the proposal to reduce the number of
vice presidents to one by amending the bylaws.
The language contained in Article X. A, 2 is-the plural However, the Article contains the qualifying
statement "as prescribed by the Bylaws." There is no requirement in the Constitution that there be more
than one vice president, but there must be at least one vice president until the Constitution is amended to
the contrary. Therefore, the proposal to reduce the number of vice presidents does not require a
Constitutional amendment but only an amendment in the Bylaws
THE COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS
June 2, 1983