LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — February 18, 1995, Page 3

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1.

Under Article XIII of the Constitution does using the phrase "I admonish you" substantially meet
the requirements of the Article?
The Commission on Constitutional Matters does not understand question 13 and will not
speculate as to what was intended. Accordingly, the Commission declines to respond thereto.

115. Reception of Voting Members (Ag. 2004) : A vice president of the Kansas District had asked the
Commission to assist him in interpreting the meaning of the word "unanimous" in the Constitution of a
Kansas District congregation regarding the reception of new voting members. The statement which was
under question was, "If he agrees and subscribes to the Constitution and Bylaws, he shall be received into
voting membership by unanimous vote and sign the Constitution in open session."
The Commission concluded that this was a matter which should be determined by the District Constitution
Committee. It did, however, agree that the Bylaws needed clarification and took note of the fact that the
statement "he shall be received into voting membership by unanimous vote . . ." could be construed to mean
that there is no option for the congregation if the candidate for membership subscribes to the Constitution
and Bylaws.
116. Definition of LCMS, Inc. as Applied to Financial Statements (Ag,. 1981, 1985) : The Commission
had received a request from Norman Sell to assist in determining how LCMS, Inc. is to be interpreted in
view of new accounting standards which had been established by the Financial Accounting Standards
Board, 116 and 117. The draft of a proposed response had been prepared and had been shared with the
members of the Commission. Considerable discussion ensued with regard to the document and its contents.
Members of the Commission agreed to respond within ten days regarding suggestions for alteration of the
statement and for identification of concerns which needed to be addressed. It was agreed that a telephone
conference would be held March 2, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. Pacific time for discussion of the final opinion.
117. Adjournment : At the request of the chairman, Dr. Schlecht led the members of the Commission in a
closing prayer.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary

Minutes of the Commission on Constitutional Matters - March 2, 1995

Telephone Conference

118. Call to Order : Chairman Groh called the meeting to order and asked Roland Hopmann to lead the
members of the Commission in a prayer. In the prayer, recognition was made of the difficult situation which
is facing the Commission and a petition was offered to God to guide and lead the members of the
Commission so that any actions taken would bring honor and glory to Him.
119. Emeritus Pastor-Membership (Ag. 1977) : The President of the Florida-Georgia District had
removed an emeritus pastor who had been ordained in a branch of the Episcopal church. That member had
challenged his removal and had requested institution of the dispute resolution process in order to resolve the
matter. A reconciler had been appointed and had been meeting with the District President and the pastor. No
resolution of the issue had been achieved.
In view of the situation which had developed, the District President now asked the Commission on
Constitutional Matters to respond to the following questions: