LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 7,1997, Page 9

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Since the Synod is only advisory to the congregation with respect to self-government, the answer to this
question is yes, provided the individual is in good standing on the synodical roster, i.e., neither
restricted or suspended.
Finally, you asked, "Do the Synodical Constitution and Bylaws in any way preclude the participation of
the ministerium in the call process, i.e., the suggesting of names to lay members of a vacant
congregation?"
In response, the Commission would observe that this matter of advising congregations in the calling of
pastors and teachers is specifically assigned to the District President as part of his calling, his kleros.
While the Constitution and Bylaws do not specifically preclude the ministerium from participation in
the call process, they nowhere identify this activity as part of their calling, their kleros. Any further
response to this issue should be solicited from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations,
which may have carried out a study of the term kleros in relation to this matter as it applies to the
ministerium.
96. Teachers Eligible for Election to District Board of Directors and Other Offices (Ag. 2070): A
District President indicated that in the election of teachers to boards and commissions of the district, it had
always been assumed that such teachers were to be Ministers of Religion, Commissioned, that is, rostered
as advisory members. There is a recognition that there are a number of lay teachers who have graduated
from synodical schools and are eligible for synodical membership, but have opted not to join the Synod as
rostered members. In view of their preparation and activity, it was suggested that the term "teacher" might
also include these persons as eligible for membership on the boards or commissions of the district. The
Commission on Constitutional Matters was asked to provide clarification on this matter. In response, the
Commission stated the following:
At its meeting on March 7, 1997, the Commission on Constitutional Matters considered your question
regarding the eligibility of teacher graduates of synodical schools being eligible for teacher positions on
boards or commissions of the district. It was pointed out that under the present district Handbook, the
position of teacher has been understood to be Commissioned Ministers of Religion on the roster of the
Synod.
In its consideration, the Commission first noted that the composition of a district board or commission
is determined by the district itself. The Bylaws do not specify either the number or classification of
board or commission members.
The Commission on Constitutional Matters would, however, maintain that references to teachers
serving on boards or commissions at the national level are references to Commissioned Ministers of
Religion on the roster of the Synod. Those not on the roster, though eligible for roster status but not
choosing such, are classified as laypersons. The Commission would therefore believe that, in order to
avoid confusion, the term teacher in district Bylaws is to be regarded as a reference to Commissioned
Ministers of Religion on the roster of the Synod. This is consistent with the principle that the district is
the Synod in that place.
If a district wished to include lay teachers as eligible for service on boards or commissions in a category
other than lay, it might wish to do so through amendment of its Bylaws establishing that category,
specifically stating that a certain number of the lay members are to be lay teachers, or do so in some
other manner. It must, however, recognize that the term teacher is understood in a technical sense to
refer to a person in that category of Commissioned Ministers of Religion on the roster of the Synod.