LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 21, 1986, Page 4

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After reviewing the Constitution, the Commission noted that the Constitution appears to be a statement of
theology and policy rather than a constitution, a legal document by which the congregation can operate in
a practical manner.
Because of the overwhelming nature of the objections of the Commission to this Constitution which does
not conform to the guidelines developed by the Commission and published May 11, 1984, the
Commission believes that it would be impossible to offer an opinion without providing a line-by-line
analysis of the document and presentation of its objections.
The Commission is obviously of the opinion that the proposed Constitution is unacceptable and must be
declined. A complete and thorough revision of the Constitution must be made before it would become a
basis for the operation of a congregation acceptable for membership in The Lutheran Church--Missouri
Synod.
209. California-Nevada-Hawaii Guidelines : The Rev. Theodore Delaney had prepared a document
involving guidelines for the development of constitutional instruments for congregations which had been
published by the California-Nevada-Hawaii District for distribution to congregations in that district. He
had requested that the Commission on Constitutional Matters review this document and offer an opinion
with regard to it. In response, the Commission asked the Secretary to contact Pastor DeLaney to indicate
that it had only recently received the document and had not had time to review it thoroughly. In a cursory
review, it noted that the Bylaw citation on page 22 should be checked to determine whether Bylaw 1.14
and 1.33 might not be more applicable then Bylaw 1.21 which is cited
The Commission also asked that a legal opinion regarding non-amendable sections of Constitutions be
shared with Pastor DeLaney and that he be thanked for his effort in preparing these guidelines.
Furthermore, the Commission would call attention to its own guidelines which have been prepared and
are now available from Concordia Publishing House.
This item is to be retained in the docket
210. Streamlining Procedures for Calling and Appointing a Chief Administrator for St. Paul's
High School (Ag. 1775) : A decision has been made to discontinue the operations of the college
department at St. Paul's College, Concordia, Missouri, and to continue the high school department only.
The Bylaws do not specifically address the subject of calling a high school administrator, but rather deal
with the procedures for calling presidents of colleges and seminaries. The Board for Professional
Education Services therefore asked whether it was necessary to follow all the prescribed Handbook's
steps for nominating, interviewing and electing a college president when the administrator for St. Paul's
High School is chosen. In its inquiry, the Board also noted that a precedent has been established in that
the principal of Hong Kong Lutheran High School is selected in a different manner. The Board for
Professional Education Services proposed calling for nominations of candidates from the whole Synod
through official synodical publications but then speeding up the process by allowing the Board of Regents
to proceed in consultation with the Board for Professional Education Services and the President of the
Synod to select and appoint a headmaster for St. Paul's High School.
The Commission noted that because of a lack of clear direction and because of the precedent established
in the case of Hong Kong International School, the Commission is of the opinion that the procedure
suggested by the Board for Professional Education Services is a proper one to follow.
211. Convention Matters : The Commission noted that the dates scheduled for meetings of the
Convention Floor Committees were May 30 - June 2, 1986 and that of the convention July 18-25, 1986.
All members of the Commission are expected to be present for both of these meetings. The following