LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — March 23, 2000, Page 13

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108. Questions re the Right of a Task Force to Submit Overtures to a Convention of the Synod (002182)
The Secretary of the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations, in a letter dated February 9, 2000,
inquired on behalf of the Task Force regarding its eligibility to submit overtures to the Synod in
convention. He noted that this question “is of some moment to the Task Force, now in the preliminary
stages of preparing a report.” The Commission responded as follows:
QUESTION 1: “Is the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations, created by the Synod in
1998 Resolution 7-02A, ‘a committee established by a prior convention’ in terms of Bylaw 3.19.2.,
and thus eligible to submit overtures to the Synod in convention?
QUESTION 2: “If not, is there any other reason under the Bylaws by which this Task Force could
be considered eligible to submit overtures to the Synod in convention?”
OPINION: While a “task force” is not mentioned in Bylaw 3.19, a, 2, it does allow that “a committee
established by a prior convention” may submit overtures to a convention of the Synod. And while the
term “committee” is not defined, Bylaw 3.51, n, does define a task force as “an appointed group which
has an ad hoc assignment to accomplish a specific task and whose duties have a definite expiration date.”
The Commission notes that the Task Force on National/District Synod Relations was indeed “established
by a prior convention” under Resolution 7-02A of the 1998 convention of the Synod. The Commission
also notes that the Task Force, as “an appointed group which has an ad hoc assignment,” is in essence a
“committee,” a term commonly understood to represent a group of persons with assigned responsibilities,
as is the case with the Task Force in question. Both factors therefore bring the Task Force on
National/District Synod Relations into compliance with the requirements of Bylaws 3.19, a, 2, and 3.19,
a, 1, the latter Bylaw (3.19, a, 1) stipulating that reports may include overtures when submitted by entities
authorized to do so under the former Bylaw (3.19, a, 2).
It is the Commission’s opinion, therefore, in answer to the first question, that the Task Force on
National/District Synod Relations is “a committee established by a prior convention” and may therefore
include overtures in its report to the convention of the Synod. As a result and in answer to the second
question above, no “other reason under the Bylaws” need be sought “by which this Task Force could be
considered eligible to submit overtures to the Synod in convention.”
109. Revision of Bylaws re Candidate Status (00-2183)
Bylaw changes proposed by the Council of Presidents and formulated by the Secretary of the Synod
providing for significant changes in the rostering of inactive ministers of religion—commissioned and
ordained were discussed at length by the Commission. Al Marcis, in consultation with Secretary Hartwig,
was asked to draft a response on the basis of the discussion, for further consideration by the Commission
at its next meeting.
110. Southeastern District Bylaws (00-2184)
David Piehler was asked to give careful attention to the documents submitted by the Southeastern District
and to report to the Commission at its next meeting.
111. Rocky Mountain District Bylaws (00-2185)
Gerhard Bode was asked to give careful attention to the documents submitted by the Rocky Mountain
District and to report to the Commission at its next meeting.
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