LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 6, 1985, Page 1

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143. Colorado District Bylaws: A check is to be made with regard to the situation relative to the Colorado
District Bylaws. A report will be made at the next meeting of the Commission.
144. Board of Directors' Authority and Responsibility (Ag. 1751): The Commission, prior to adjourning,
continued its discussion of questions posed by the Board of Directors with regard to authority to continue
to provide deficit funding for institutions which do not appear to be viable, particularly St. John's,
Winfield, and St. Paul's, Concordia. No conclusions were reached. Judge Schnelz will contact Mr.
Draheim to discuss the matter with him, and it may be necessary for the Commission to hold a special
meeting, perhaps by telephone conference call, to arrive at a decision.
Walter L Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - September 6, 1985
145. Opening Devotion: The meeting was opened with prayer led by Chairman Schnelz.
146. New Member : It was reported that former Michigan District President, Dr. Richard Schlecht, has
been appointed to the Commission on Constitutional Matters to replace Dr. Carl Eberhard and that he has
accepted the appointed.
147. Rules of Procedure Conflict (Ag. 1747, A): Dr. Richard Hinz had asked the Commission to consider
whether certain portions of the Rules of Procedure prepared by the Commission on Appeals might be in
conflict with certain bylaws of the Synod. During the discussion the Commission noted that in Column 1,
#1, of the Rules of Procedure the word "not" had been omitted. The item should read, "If the member
chooses not to resign from Synod
After thorough discussion the Commission concluded that the only parties over which a Commission on
Adjudication has jurisdiction are those parties defined in Bylaw 8.01. A minority within a congregation
does not fall within such a classification. Therefore, the Commission on Adjudication cannot consider a
minority request for appeal regarding action of a member, nor does it have authority to determine whether
reconciliation within a congregation has occurred.
148. Bylaw 2.13, c (Ag. 1754): The Commission had received a request from Concordia Lutheran
Seminary, Edmonton, for the interpretation of Bylaw 2.13, c, which provides for advisory representation
of faculties at synodical conventions on the basis of one for every 30 faculty members. Fractions are to be
disregarded. Concordia Lutheran Seminary has only two faculty members, not counting the president. In
view of this number, the question was asked whether the seminary faculty would have representation at
the convention.
In response, the Commission pointed out that the bylaw was intended to provide for faculty representation
at synodical conventions. The bylaw should be interpreted to read as though faculty representation would
be on the basis of one for every 30 faculty members, but not less than one.
149. Communicant Member Rejecting Doctrinal Position (Ag. 1755, B): The pastor and elders of Hope
Lutheran Church, Levittown, Pennsylvania, had asked the following questions:
1. Does denial of the doctrinal standards of the Confession itself exclude a member by
definition of membership?