LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — September 26-27, 1986, Page 5

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In response, the Commission noted that the matter at this time is not before a Commission on
Adjudication, but appears still to be in a stage where informal action between the parties involved could
result in a resolution of the matter. If a charge is to be brought before a Commission on Adjudication, the
Commission concluded that the appropriate group to determine venue is defined in Bylaw 8.37, namely,
the Commission on Appeals. While the Commission on Constitutional Matters believes that there is
validity to the interpretation offered by the circuit counselor, that is, that the matter should be dealt with
by the Commission on Adjudication of the district in which the acts were committed, it is not in the
purview of the CCM to make that decision.
13. Headquarters-Other Organization (Ag. 1779) : A pastor in Canada had written to the Commission
on Constitutional Matters requesting an answer regarding the Lutheran Association of Missionary Pilots
(LAMP) which is listed in the Lutheran Annual among headquarters of other organizations. It was his
impression that this group was a listed service organization and was therefore given permission to provide
a display at the synodical convention. In response, the Secretary had replied that LAMP is not a listed
service organization and that the procedures for acquiring listed service organization status are clearly
outlined in the bylaws of the Synod. While the location of the listing of the headquarters of other
organizations in the Lutheran Annual might be questioned, the matter of providing a display at synodical
conventions had not been covered in the bylaws. It has merely been a procedure in the past to allow
groups in that category to display their materials in order to avoid the necessity of making decisions on an
individual organization basis.
The Commission ratified the reply of the Secretary and asked that the pastor be notified that it has also
taken the liberty of forwarding correspondence relating to this issue to the Board for Mission Services and
the Board of Directors.
14. District Board of Directors' Authority : President Arnold Kromphardt of the Eastern District had
asked whether it was permissible for a board of directors to provide for the realignment of circuits in the
district between district conventions. The Commission resolved to reply that there is nothing in the
Handbook which forbids the board of directors of a district, if authorized by the district bylaws, to realign
the circuits within the district. While this is true, it may be inferred from the bylaws that such alignment
should involve district action. The wisdom of realignment of circuits by a board of directors of a district is
questioned since this is a major matter affecting a large number of congregations.
Since the bylaws do not provide for determination of how circuits are formed, this matter is being referred
to the Commission on Structure.
15. Rocky Mountain District Bylaws (Ag. 1603) : No replies had been received from the Rocky
Mountain District relative to a request for the bylaws of that district for a review by the Commission.
Chairman Schnelz will write to the president of the district once again requesting a copy of those bylaws.
16. Minnesota South District Bylaws (Ag. 1643, A) : The Minnesota South District Bylaws have been
forwarded and will be reviewed by Judge Groh.
17. Southern California District Constitution Committee Guidelines (Ag. 1774) : Chairman E.
Theodore DeLaney of the Southern California District Committee on Constitutions had prepared
guidelines for the constitution and bylaws of a congregation which he had forwarded to the Commission
for review. These are to be reviewed in depth at the next meeting of the Commission. The Commission
had previously informed Dr. DeLaney that this would be done.
18. Bylaw 2.67 h (1986) and Incumbents : A revision of Bylaw 2.67 h adopted at the 1986 synodical
convention made executives, faculty members, and staff of synodical institutions ineligible to serve on
boards or commissions of the Synod. In response to a question regarding the eligibility of incumbents