LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 1, 1985, Page 3

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the Commission replied that provisions of Article V must be carried - over into Bylaw 3.23. Bylaw 3.23
only speaks to the accreditation of delegates, while Article V defines the composition of the delegation. It
is therefore clear that a congregation or parish is entitled to only two votes, and that each congregation is
not represented independently at the district convention by a lay delegate. The Commission on Structure
is urged to review the bylaw provision for possible clarification.
94. Congregational Constitution Requirement on Statement of LCMS Certified Pastor (Ag. 1735): A
congregation had asked whether it was necessary for it to include a statement in its Constitution regarding
service only by such pastors as have been certified by The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod since by its
membership in the Synod it had already agreed to such a provision. In response, the Commission stated
that although the congregation might be technically correct in its opinion, there appeared to be no reason
for excluding it, and that it was therefore perfectly proper for the Constitution Committee of the district to
require its inclusion in a congregation constitution in order to avoid any potential future conflict.
95. Continuation of Appeal After Accepting Call (Ag. 1736): The question had been asked as whether a
member might continue an appeals process after accepting a call when the appeal included a request for
reinstatement to a position from which he had been either removed or had not been reappointed. The
Commission stated that in view of the divinity of the call, by acceptance of another call the member had
rendered himself unable to appeal at least that portion of the appeal which asked for reinstatement.
96. Nebraska District Bylaws (Ag. 1731): Defer consideration. Hold for assignment and possible
consideration at a special meeting.
97. Campus Ministry, California-Nevada-Hawaii District (Ag. 1729, Min. 5): Our Faith Lutheran Church
of Davis, California, had requested an opinion of the Commission on Constitutional Matters regarding
membership of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District in the Lutheran Council for Campus Ministry. An
identical question had previously been asked by Trinity, Palo Alto. In response, the Commission
requested the Secretary to forward a copy of the opinion provided to Trinity, Palo Alto, requesting the
congregation to reread that response in the spirit and light in which it was given to see if it does not
answer the questions raised. It further pointed out that the representative on a campus is not a
representative of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, but of Lutheran Campus Ministry. The district
or congregation cannot support anyone who represents himself as a representative of The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod and not only of the Lutheran Council for Campus Ministry.
98. Southern District Bylaws--Representation on Board of Directors (Ag. 1728): Southern District
Bylaws provide for the election of a pastor and layperson from each of six geographical areas of the
district. Several circuits had asked about the constitutionality of a bylaw amendment which would state
that when a member of the Board of Directors moves out of his/her geographical area, they could no
longer properly represent God's people in their former locale.. The proposed bylaw would also provide for
the filling of a vacancy resulting from such a move. The Commission stated as its opinion that the
proposed bylaw amendment would be constitutional, but suggested that at the end of the second resolved
it be clearly stated that the appointment is "for the balance of that term until the next regular election."
99. English District Bylaws (Ag. 653, A-C): Since the proposed English District Bylaws incorporated all
changes which had previously been suggested by the Commission on Constitutional Matters, the
Commission approved them as not being in conflict with the Constitution of the Synod.
100. Eligibility for Board of Regents (Ag. 1716): Dr. Erich Helge had asked the opinion of the
Commission on the eligibility of a number of board members for reelection to the Board of Regents at
Concordia, Seward. The Commission ratified the response of the Secretary which indicated that Harold
Stelzer would be ineligible because his term of service would exceed the 12 year limitation; that Louis