LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — May 8, 2000, Page 2

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

A pastor from the Northern Illinois District explained in an April 7 letter that his District has several men
serving as “Interim Ministers.” These pastors work in congregations during a vacancy but are called by
the District and paid by the District. The congregations they serve reimburse the District for expenses.
The Commission responds to the pastor’s questions as follows:
Question 1:

Can an intentional interim minister called by the District represent the congregation
where he is temporarily working as its pastoral delegate to the District convention?

The Commission responds that although the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod do not address the
subject of intentional interim ministers, the matter of representation at District conventions is addressed
(Art. V, A). The called pastor and a lay delegate from each congregation or parish are entitled to voice
and vote at the District convention. If, however, a pastor is called by the District to serve in a specialized
ministry, that call is not issued by the congregation and therefore that individual as an advisory delegate is
entitled to speak but not cast a vote at the convention. A similar situation is the case when a missionaryat-large is called by the District.
Question 2:

Can an intentional interim minister called by the District vote in a circuit caucus
when electing synodical delegates?

The answer to this question is much the same as the answer to question #1 above. Bylaw 5.35 states that
“the Circuit Forum which meets triennially shall elect the pastoral and lay delegates, and their alternates,
to the national convention of the Synod according to the regulations of the Synod.” Bylaw 5.31 states:
“Each congregation shall be represented at the Circuit Forum at least by its pastor and one member
designated by the congregation.” If therefore a pastor is called by the District to serve in a specialized
ministry, that call is not issued by the congregation and that individual is not entitled to vote in a circuit
caucus when electing synodical delegates.
137. Service of Intentional Interim Ministers in Offices (00-2191)
In a letter dated April 4, 2000, a parish pastor noted that “intentional interim ministry” is new to our
Synod and that his District calls and employs pastors to serve in this ministry. He raises two questions
regarding the service of such ministers in offices of the District, to which the Commission responds as
follows:
Question 1:

In view of Bylaws 4.11 and especially 3.69, g, may an intentional interim minister
also serve as a District vice-president?

The Commission notes that Bylaw 4.11 speaks in general terms with no specific application to the
question that is being raised. Bylaw 3.69, g, does however directly apply. It stipulates that, “unless
otherwise specified or permitted by the Bylaws, executives, faculty, and staff on either the national or
District level, shall not be members of the agency under which they serve, nor shall any such executives
or staff be members of any other agency of the Synod, as identified in Bylaws 3.55 and 3.57.” “Members”
in the case of this bylaw refers to members of the boards and commissions listed in Bylaws 3.55 and 3.57.
Specific circumstances will determine the answer to this question. According to Bylaw 3.69, g, if an
intentional interim minister has been called and employed by a District and therefore is a member of its
staff, that intentional interim minister cannot serve on a board of that District or any other agency of the
Synod as defined by Bylaw 3.51, a. If, therefore, the vice-presidents of that District are regarded as
members of its board of directors, voting or advisory, that intentional interim minister may not stand for
election for the office of vice-president.

164