LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 10-11, 1992, Page 4

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member of the Synod. His individual membership ceases and his relation to the Synod is that of the
layman whose relation to the Synod is through his membership in a member congregation.
I regret that you have not been able to secure assistance for the program which was described in the
attached news item. It would be unfortunate and regrettable if this would necessitate severing your
long standing position as an effective and innovative pastor of The Lutheran Church--Missouri
Synod. It is my hope and prayer that through consultation with district officials, a solution to the
problem you identified may still be found.
The Commission now ratified the response which had been provided by the Secretary.
72. District Convention Vote by Interim Pastor (Ag.1917) : At its 52nd convention, the Texas District
had adopted the following resolution:
Resolution 5-8-91 CONGREGATIONS BE GRANTED THE RIGHT TO DESIGNATE INTERIM
PASTOR SERVING THEM IN VACANCY AS A VOTING PASTOR WITH
ALL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AT DISTRICT CONVENTION
WHEREAS, The Constitution of the Texas District Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod specifies that
each member congregation is entitled to one lay voting delegate and one pastoral voting delegate to
each district convention; and
WHEREAS, There exists a real and growing shortage of pastors in our district and Synod, leaving
many congregations without a pastor; and
WHEREAS, That leaves congregations who are thus served without pastoral representation; be it
therefore
Resolved, That the Texas District in convention assembled, declare that a vacant, calling
congregation, which is a member of the Texas District, and that is being served by an interim pastor
be granted the right to designate said interim pastor serving them in vacancy as its voting pastor with
all attendant rights and privileges.
The district president had forwarded the resolution to the Commission simply asking for its response. In a
personal response, the Secretary had prepared a statement to the President of the Texas District which
stated
The resolution adopted by delegates to the Texas District convention declaring that
"Congregations Be Granted the Right To Designate Interim Pastor Serving Them in Vacancy as a
Voting Pastor with All Rights and Privileges at District Convention" has been received and
forwarded to members of the Commission on Constitutional Matters. It will be included in the
agenda for the next Commission meeting.
While I do not know how the Commission will respond, it is my personal opinion that the Texas
District cannot make the unilateral decision stated in the resolution. I believe it is contrary to the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod and is in conflict with interpretation on this matter made by
previous Commissions on Constitutional Matters and not overturned by succeeding conventions.
Both the Commission on Structure and the Commission on Constitutional Matters have been
aware of the situations which the resolution seeks to address. Various proposals are being considered for possible presentation to the 1992 convention. If any congregation or the District Board of