Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 237
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 237

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 237

Resolved, That the entire Commission on Constitutional
Matters be elected by convention of the Synod, effective with
the 1973 convention and that proper provision therefor be
made in the Handbook.

Frioripa-Grorcia District PasTORAL CONFERENCE
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Kurt W. Biel, Chairman

Gerald L. Renken, Secretary

Identical:

5-83B

Hope Lutheran Church, Pompano Beach, Fla., Fritz Gale,
President; James Maynard, Secretary.

5-844

To Elect All Members of Commission
on Constitutional Matters

Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has
become more important in recent years in the administra-
tion of the affairs of the LCMS; and

Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has
the task of interpreting not only Synod’s Constitution and
Bylaws but resolutions of synodical conventions as well: and

Wuereas, Electing member: of the Commission on Consti-
tutional Matters would make them more responsive to the
total membership of the Synod, and thereby avoid any con-
flict of interest: therefore be it

Resolved. That the Golden Gate Pastoral Conference
memorialize the Synod at the convention in New Orleans
to change the Handbook of the Synod, so that the Commis-
sion on Constitutional Matters from henceforth will be
elected, starting with the New Orleans convention.

GOLDEN GATE PASTORAL CONFERENCE
CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA DISTRICT
Louis C. Marting, Secretary

Similar:
5-84B

Sierra-Nevada Pastoral Conference. California and Ne-
vada District, Oren Geiger, Chairman; James A. Kabel, Sec-
retary.

5-854

To Restructure Commission
on Constitutional Matters

Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters is
appointed by the President of the Synod in consultation with
the Vice-Presidents: and

Wuereas, The President has in addition the power to ap-
point one of the Vice-Presidents as an advisory member
(Handbook 2.107): and

Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters is
at times called upon to render opinions and interpretations
in respect to the President's authority which have important
implications and may result in conflicts of interests between
the President and his appointed commission (e.g., Lutheran
Witness Reporter. Oct. 22, 1972): therefore be it

Resolved. That the Commission on Constitutional Matters
shall consist of two pastors, two laymen, and one teacher to
be elected by the Synod and two advisory members. one
of which shall be a Vice-President appointed by the Presi-
dent of the Synod and the other. the Secretary of the Synod.

Nortu REGION PASTORAL CONFERENCE
New Encianp DISTRICT
John Lemkul

Identical:
5-85B

The Lutheran Chapel of Our Savior, Hanover, N. H., Don-
ald Garfield, President; John Lemkul. Pastor.

5-864

To Publish Opinions and Interpretations
of Commission on Constitutional Matters

Wuereas, It is the responsibility of the Commission on
Constitutional Matters to “interpret the Synod’s Constitution,
Bylaws, and resolutions upon the request of a member
(congregation, clergyman, or teacher), official, board, com-
mission, or agency of the Synod” (Handbook, 2.107 e); and

Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters fre-
quently renders interpretations and opinions relative to syn-
odical affairs in the interim periods between synodical con-
ventions; and

Wuereas, The synodical Handbook stipulates that “an
opinion rendered by the commission shall be binding on the
question decided unless and until it is overruled by a synodi-
cal convention” (Handbook, 2.107 e); and

Wuereas, Such interpretations and opinions rendered by
the Commission on Constitutional Matters are frequently
of significance to individuals, congregations, boards, com-
missions, or agencies far beyond the circle of the persons
requesting such an interpretation or opinion; therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod direct the Commission on Con-
stitutional Matters to report its various opinions and inter-
pretations. together with a statement of the specific question
or request to which the commission is responding, to the
entire Synod through the official church papers within six
weeks of their adoption by the commission; and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod direct the Commission on Con-
stitutional Matters to include in its report to the Synod in
the Convention Workbook the official wording of each of its
interpretations arrived at in the interim period between
synodical conventions: and be it finally

Resolved. That no opinion or interpretation of the Com-
mission on Constitutional Matters shall be considered bind-
ing if it has not been so reported to the church at large and
to the next convention of the Synod following its adoption

by the commission. LUTHERAN CHAPEL OF OuR SAVIOR
Hanover. N.H.
Donald Garfield, President
Regina Stanhope, Secretary
John Lemkul, Pastor

Identical or Similar:

5-86B
North Region Pastoral Conference, New England District,
John Lemkul.

3-86C

Lutheran Church of the Savior, Kalamazoo, Mich., Vern
Fanke, Chairman; Virginia Slinker, Secretary.

5-87A
To Limit Binding Nature of CCM Opinions

WHEREAS, Opinions of the Commission on Constitutional
Matters have binding force unless appealed and reversed
by the following convention of the Synod; and

Wuereas, The Commission on Constitutional Matters is
not now and does not consider itself obligated to report all
of its opinions to the next convention of the Synod; and

Wuereas, This may by-pass the Synod in interpreting its
Handbook: therefore be it

Resolved. That opinions of the Commission on Constitu-
tional Matters be binding only until the next convention of
the Synod. at which convention all of their opinions must
be submitted for review to the Synod to be upheld or re-
versed by the Synod in convention; and be it further

Resolved, That opinions of the Commission on Constitu-
tional Matters be published in The Lutheran Witness when
they are given. Hore LutHeRAN CHURCH

Pompano Beach, Fla.
Fritz Gale, President
James Maynard, Secretary