LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 23, 2000, Page 12

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103. Question re Responsibilities of Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support (00-2177)
The Chairman of the Commissioned Ministers Continuing Education Committee of the Commission on
Ministerial Growth and Support (CMGS), in a letter dated January 19, 2000, requests a judgment from the
Commission on Constitutional Matters regarding the overall task of the CMGS, asking whether that
Commission may also provide growth and support initiatives for non-rostered as well as rostered workers.
The letter explains that the CMGS has opportunity to work with both rostered and non-rostered workers
and wishes to be clear about how it may proceed. The Commission on Constitutional Matters has
provided the following response:
QUESTION: “Does the Commission’s overall task ‘to assist the mission and ministry of the Synod
and its congregations’ (By-law 3.195) allow for commission initiatives in providing growth and
support for both rostered and non-rostered workers?”
OPINION: The Commission recently answered a similar question in Ag. 99-2155, which appears in the
minutes of the Commission’s October 20, 1999 meeting. That question asked whether non-rostered
workers are “included in that group of persons for which the Commission on Ministerial Growth and
Support is to provides services as outlined in Bylaw 3.915.” (Emphasis added.) The last line of our
answer concluded “Therefore, non-rostered teachers are not included in that group of persons for whom
the Commission on Ministerial Growth and Support is required to provide services.” Thus if the present
question inquired whether provision of services is mandated by the bylaw, the answer is clearly no.
However, the question asks whether the bylaw allows such services to be provided. This asks what is
permissible, not what is required. Clearly, the permissible may be greater than the mandatory. Nothing
in the bylaw forbids providing such services on a voluntary basis.
104. Question re Use of LCMS Foundation as Manager of Invested Funds (00-2178)
After extensive discussion, it was agreed that the Commission is ready to consider a draft response to the
question submitted by the Executive Director for the Board for Higher Education, “Are the educational
institutions of the LCMS required to use the LCMS Foundation as the manager of invested funds
(permanent endowment, quasi endowment, restricted funds, etc.)?” A draft will be prepared for
discussion.
105. Mid-South District Bylaws (00-2179)
The changes to the Mid-South District Bylaws submitted by the President of the District were discussed
and approved by the Commission. When notifying the District, however, Secretary Hartwig will call to
the District’s attention an apparent inconsistency warranting further consideration before the changes are
submitted to the convention of the District.

106. Wyoming District Bylaws (00-2180)
The Chairman asked Commission member David Piehler to give attention to this document and to report
to the Commission at its next meeting regarding its approval.
107. Florida-Georgia District Bylaws (00-2181)
The changes to the Bylaws of the Florida-Georgia District submitted to the Commission by the Board of
Directors of the District were approved as presented.

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