LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 28, 1996, Page 6

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significantly disrupting the operations and affairs of LCEF or one of its entities or
agencies.
f.

Any declination to provide information or limit inspection shall be explained in
writing.

g. Challenges to any board decisions declining to provide information or to limit
inspection shall be reviewed under the synodical dispute resolution process.
Except as above amended, Article V of the corporation's Bylaws is ratified and reconfirmed in all
respects.
2. The last sentence of Article VI of the Bylaws shall be amended to read as follows:
Written notice of the proposed amendment(s) shall be given to the members no fewer
than ten, nor more than sixty, days prior to the meeting at which such amendment(s) shall
be considered.
Except as above amended, Article VI of the corporation's Bylaws is ratified and reconfirmed in
all respects.
After some discussion which expressed a concern about the fact that the Articles of Incorporation seem to
expand the functions of the LCEF beyond those identified in the Handbook of the Synod, the Commission
approved the amendments to both the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws as not being in conflict with
the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.
In approving the amendments, the Commission expressed a concern regarding Section d of the fourth
Article of Incorporation. That concern revolves around the understanding of the provision for providing
"services in support of church development and ministries." The Commission understands this provision to
be dependent upon the opening words of the article which refers to "financing the acquisition of sites and
the erection of facilities." Consequently, it also understands provision d as referring to services which are
provided "in support of church development and ministries" as only those "services" which are
substantively related to that purpose, namely, "the acquisition of sites and the erection of facilities." The
amendments were approved with this understanding.
41. Eligibility for Colloquy (Ag. 2033) : The Secretary presented a question which had been raised by the
First Vice-President of the Synod regarding a man who had graduated from a Baptist seminary but had not
had any pastoral experience. Prior to the amendments to colloquy bylaws adopted in 1995, this man would
have been eligible for the pastoral colloquy program. However, with the change adopted in 1995, he would
no longer be eligible for the program as a candidate. This provision had been omitted when adopting the
1995 amendments. The question being asked was whether this matter was merely omitted as an oversight
and if so, would there be a possibility for this man to be eligible for the colloquy program.
The Commission decided not to consider the issue at this time, but asked that the request be stated in
writing and forwarded to each of the members of the Commission for action at a later date.
42. Adjournment : The meeting was concluded with prayer led by the Secretary at the request of the
Chairman.
Walter L. Rosin, Secretary