LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — December 3, 1988, Page 1

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128. Publication of Commission Decisions : The Commission spent some time discussing the procedure
for the sharing of its decisions with members of the Synod. It had suggested that it be adopted as a rule of
procedure that the Commission will, in general, share decisions which have been made and in the cases of
those which are of general interest and concern and which will provide guidance for major areas of the
Synod, decisions will be published in detail, protecting the anonymity of those who have made the
requests for a ruling of the Commission. Decisions of the Commission will also appear in the Convention
Workbook.
129. Adjournment : Having concluded its business, the meeting of the Commission was adjourned with
prayer.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - December 3, 1988
129. Opening : The Commission on Constitutional Matters met in a telephone conference call beginning
at 9:00 a.m., December 3, 1988. Roll call showed all members present. At the request of Chairman
Schnelz, Dr. Roland Hopmann led the members of the Commission in an opening prayer asking for God's
blessing upon the work of the Commission.
130. Model Constitution - Iowa District West (Ag. 1850, Min. 126) : The proposed model constitution
and bylaws for a congregation forwarded by the Rev. Frederick Kemper, chairman of the Iowa District
West Commission on Constitutions for comment by the Commission on Constitutional Matters had been
referred to Dr. Roland Hopmann for report and review. Dr. Hopmann indicated that he found the
proposed model constitution, in many respects, confusing and unclear. Included in his comments was the
fact that on occasion incorrect Scripture references were cited and that attempts to "tighten up" bylaws
governing certain areas, in fact, cause greater difficulty. For example, with regard to synodical affiliation,
the proposed constitution states that the congregation would remain a member of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod "as long as the congregation is in agreement with the Synod." No method for
determination of this is, however, identified.
In the discussion which took place, the question was asked as to why there was a desire to deviate from
the standard expression, namely, the model. constitution prepared by the Commission? It was also noted
that if we were to pronounce the blessing upon this proposed constitution from the Iowa District West,
then there are several which have the blessing of the Commission on Constitutional Matters, a factor
which could be confusing. In concluding its discussion, the Commission determined to reaffirm its
adherence to the older model which had been prepared and asked Dr. Hopmann to prepare a document
which would point out matters in the proposed Iowa West Model Constitution for a Congregation which
were unclear or which caused confusion. These are to be shared with the members of the Commission on
Constitutional Matters and ultimately forwarded to Pastor Kemper.
131. Commission on Adjudication - Eligibility of Women (Ag. 1845,A) : At its previous meeting, the
Commission had received a communication from Dr. Bohlmann which included a reference to a question
which had been raised by a pastor regarding the eligibility of women for service on Commissions on
Adjudication and Appeals. At that time, the Commission had not been asked to make a formal response
relative to the matter. The Commission had now, however, received a request for an opinion from the
President of the Texas District which, at its last convention, had elected a woman to the District
Commission on Adjudication. The Board of Directors of that district had asked for a response to the
question, "Can a woman serve on a District Commission on Adjudication?" In his communication, the
President of the Texas District indicated that it might simply have been possible that membership bylaws