LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 13, 1985, Page 4

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is used in the final sentence rather than the singular, a further indication that the specific terms for all
three entities noted in the bylaw were to be included. This item is to be removed from the agenda.
192. Bylaw 2.67, h -- Eligibility of Executives (Ag. 1769): A request had been received for
reconsideration of an opinion of the Commission on Constitutional Matters that Bylaw 2.67, h, prevents
district executives from being elected to service on national boards of the Synod. The Commission noted
that it had called this concern to the attention of the Commission on Structure and that because of the
present concern, as well as expressions of concern previously received, that commission was being asked
to review the problem and to clarify the bylaws on this matter.
193. Right of Appeal to Commission on Adjudication (Ag. 1771): A member of Calvary Lutheran
Church, Charleston, South Carolina, had inquired whether a member of the congregation who serves as a
member on the Southeastern District Department of Finance and Stewardship Service would be eligible
under Bylaw 8.01 to submit a matter to the district Commission on Adjudication because of his "district
position." In response to this inquiry, the Commission concluded that the member has a right to present a
matter to the Commission on Adjudication relative to the position which he holds. That right, however,
does not constitute a "general admission pass" to appeal on any other matter.
194. Faculty Membership in Independent Congregations (Ag. 1770): President Eugene Krentz of
Concordia College, River Forest, had requested an opinion regarding membership of called faculty
members of a college of the Synod in a parish which is not affiliated with the Synod. In reviewing the
issues which are involved, the Commission took particular note of Bylaws 1.19 and 1.21. It is obvious
from these bylaws that the District President may feel a strong responsibility for faculty members who are
members of his district and are therefore under his supervision. He would obviously be concerned about
faculty members who do not hold membership in a congregation of the Synod. While the Constitution and
Bylaws of the Synod contain no specific references requiring such membership by faculty members of the
colleges of the Synod, the District President would obviously be concerned and would be ready to deal in
an evangelical manner with such a situation which is not in keeping with the usual practice within the
Synod.
The Commission also notes that 6.43, Removal from Office, includes as a reason for removal from the
Synod the advocacy of false doctrine. If a congregation affiliated with the Synod advocates such false
doctrine, it does not seem in keeping with the requirements for individual membership in the Synod to
hold personal membership in such a congregation. It further notes that in relation to Bylaw 5.01, there is a
reference to admission to the respective ministries of pastor and teacher. One of the requirements for
being qualified and certified for such positions is being members of a congregation of the Synod. While
not specifically stated, the assumption would be that to remain qualified, membership in a congregation of
the Synod would be a requirement.
Finally, the Commission points out that, so far as the spirit of the matter is concerned, refusal of a faculty
member, who is an individual member of the Synod but holds membership in a congregation not affiliated
with the Synod, to join a congregation of the Synod is certainly not in keeping with our intent to walk
together.
195. Manitoba--Saskatchewan District Bylaws (Ag. 1772): Judge Groh had reviewed the Bylaws of the
Manitoba--Saskatchewan District and indicated that they contained nothing contrary to the Constitution
and Bylaws of the Synod. He did, however, note that in reference to the responsibilities of the district
Constitution Committee, the sections from the Handbook of the Synod relating to the responsibilities of
the Commission on Constitutional Matters had been quoted verbatim. In his opinion, it did not seem
appropriate for this to be done. The Commission, therefore, resolved to ask the Manitoba--Saskatchewan
District to revise that section of its Bylaws by deleting the present content and substituting the words,