LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — January 10-11, 1992, Page 5

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Directors wishes to do so, it could forward an overture for consideration in 1992. If the Bylaws
are changed to accommodate the 1991 Texas District Resolution 5-8-91, there would be no
difficulty in implementing it in 1994.
In addition to the personal response, the Secretary had indicated to the members of the Commission that
the proposed action contained potential for further difficulties. These included the following questions:
1. Who appoints the "interim" pastor?
2.

Is the interim "permanent" until the position is filled by a called pastor or can the interim
pastor be replaced by one who holds a specific position on issues coming before the convention?

2.

Can someone serve as an "interim" pastor at more than one congregation? If so, does he vote
twice?

In the discussion which took place regarding this matter, it was pointed out by other members of the
Commission that the proposed resolution also would impinge on Bylaws 3.05, 3.09, 4.07, 4.23 and 4.25.
The Commission ratified the response which had been forwarded by the Secretary to the President of the
Texas District.
73. Woman College President - Nomination : A pastor had written to the Chairman of the Commission
on Constitutional Matters, requesting an interpretation regarding the nomination of a woman for the office
of president of Concordia College, Ann Arbor, and her accepting of that nomination. He stated as his
opinion that such nominees must be male and that a female, if nominated, is automatically ineligible. The
Commission had previously dealt with this matter when a request had been forwarded regarding the
nomination of a woman as president of Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota. The Secretary was asked
to forward that previous opinion of the Commission on Constitutional Matters to the pastor who was
making the inquiry.
74. Inter-Parish Schools (Ag. 1918) : A district president had raised the question of whether or not the
Constitutions and Bylaws of Inter-Parish schools Associations and High School Associations whose
supporting congregations were members of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, should be reviewed
by the District Committee on Congregational Constitutions, and should these constitutions and bylaws
have the ultimate approval of the Board of Directors of the respective district before the association was
authorized to function under them. In other words, the question was whether the same guidelines applied
to such school associations as applied to congregations of the Synod and the preparation and revision of
constitutions and bylaws.
The Secretary had prepared a response which stated:
The question you have raised regarding constitution and bylaws governing inter-parish schools
and associations has been forwarded to the members of the Commission on Constitutional
Matters. After the Commission has met and had the opportunity to consider it, I will forward the
response to you.
Having now seen the specific question, my personal opinion is that the same guidelines do not
apply to inter-parish schools or associations as they do to congregations. Neither congregational
schools nor inter-parish schools or associations hold membership in the Synod. It is that
membership in the Synod with which District Constitution Committees are concerned.