LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 250

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250 CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS

To Censure Presidents Who Have
Interfered in Placement Process

WHEREAS, One of the objects of the Synod is ‘tthe endeavor
to bring about the largest possible uniformity in church practice,
church customs, and, in general, congregational affairs” (Con-
stitution, Art. III 5); and

WHEREAS, One of the conditions for acquiring and holding
membership in the Synod is “regular call of pastors and teachers
and regular election of lay delegates by the congregations...”
(Constitution, Art. VI 3): and

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention assembled ‘Denver
Res. 5-23 of 1969) has defined a “regular call" as one “extended
in conformity with the procedures adopted by the Synod as
set forth in the Handbook’: and

WHEREAS, The officers of the Synod must assume only such
rights as have been expressly conferred upon them by the
Synod, and in everything pertaining to their rights and the per-
formance of their duties they are responsible to the Synod”
(Constitution, Art. XI, 1): and

WHEREAS, ‘The Districts are independent in the adminis-
tration of affairs which concern their District only. it being
understood, however, that such administration shall always
serve the interests of the Synod’ (Constitution, Art. XII B 12):
and

WHEREAS, Every member of the Synod is obligated diligently
and earnestly to promote the purposes of the synodical organiza-
tion by word and deed | Bylaw 1.05): and

WHEREAS, ‘‘The Constitution, Bylaws, and all other rules and
regulations of the Synod apply to all members of the Synod,
i.e., to all congregations, pastors, professors, and teachers”
(Bylaw 1.09 a): and

WHEREAS, ‘The Synod is not merely an advisory body in
relation to a District. A District is the Synod itself performing
the functions of the Synod. Resolutions of the Synod are binding
on the Districts” (Bylaw 3.07 a): and

WHEREAS, “The Constitution of the Synod is also the constitu-
tion of each District (Bylaw 3.07 b): and

WHEREAS, (a) Any candidate for the office of pastor ‘‘shall
have completed the prescribed courses of study and have
received a diploma from one of the Synod’s seminaries" and (b)
any candidate for the office of pastor “shall have received
endorsement by the proper faculty or the Committee on Col-
loquies and in every respect have been declared qualified by
them for the office of the ministry of Word and sacrament in the
church” (Bylaw 4.15): and

WHEREAS, Only regular students who are graduates of an
authorized synodical institution declared qualified for placement
shall be assigned by the Council of Presidents and ‘‘students who
have not completed their program of studies at the Synod’s
educational institutions shall not be eligible for temporary or
permanent engagement by congregations or other agencies
within the Synod without the consent and approval of the
respective faculty and District President” (Bylaw 6.163 a, b, d.):
therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod reaffirm the provisions of the Con-
stitution and Bylaws pertaining to placement of ministers: and
be it further

Resolved. That the Synod remind the Council of Presidents
of its responsibilities relative to placement of ministers and
further remind them they are not to interfere with duties and
responsibilities assigned to others: and be it finally

Resolved. That the Synod censure and reprimand all! such
District Presidents as have ordained, participated in the ordina-
tion of, or tolerated the ordination of Seminex graduates and
request that they in all love fulfill their duties or resign.

Board of Control

Concordia Seminary

St. Louis, Mo.

Ralph Bohlmann, Acting President

5-116

To Deal with District Presidents
Approving Ordination of Candidates
Not Properly Certified

WHEREAS, By tradition and definition a District of the Synod
is the Synod itself at work in a given geographical area: and

WHEREAS, Therefore, the office of District President exists
to serve as an extension of the office of the President of the
Synod: and

WHEREAS, Under this policy District Presidents were as-
sistants to the President of the Synod and were constitutionally
required to carry out a part of the duties of the President within
the confines of their respective District, such as approving the
ordination of candidates who have been certified by one of the
two seminaries of the Synod: and

WHEREAS, Unilateral action of any District President contrary
to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod is an infraction of
the solemn commitment made at the installation of such high
officers: and

WHEREAS. Such unilateral action on the part of any District
President injures this unity of faith and impairs the unified
witness of the Synod: therefore be it

Resolved. That The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod in
convention assembled review the performance of those District
Presidents who have caused dissension and division in the
Synod by commissioning or ordaining, or by whatsoever term
the rite may be designated through which men are appointed
and confirmed into any part of the office of the Word in the
church, of men who were not certified as qualified for such
office by either of the two seminary faculties: and be it further

Resolved. To urge the President of the Synod to deal pasto-
rally with these individuals and if need be discipline them.

Faculty
Concordia Theological Seminary
Springfield, Ill.

Robert Preus, President

d-117A

To Ask District Presidents to Uphold
Constitutional Laws Covering
Ordination

WHEREAS, The directives contained in the Constitution and
Bylaws of The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod carry with
them a sacred trust, the neglect or violation of which will under-
mine and ultimately bring about the dissolution of the Synod:
and

WHEREAS, In accepting their respective office, District Presi-
dents are conscience bound to use every means in their com-
mand to see to it that these responsibilities are not neglected or
violated: and

WHEREAS, The representatives of the congregations of the
Synod have by electing them to office, thereby imposed upon
the President and the District Presidents of the Synod the
obligation to abide by the Constitution and Bylaws: and

WHEREAS, They therefore not only have a moral obligation
to the members of the Synod but are also bound to them ona
contractual basis, a breach of which can invoke the sanctions
prescribed by the Synod in Article XIII of its Constitution: and

WHEREAS, “District Presidents shall—a. See to it that all
resolutions of the Synod which concern the Districts are made
known to the Districts and are carried out by them” (Constitu-
tion, Art. XII, 9.): and

WHEREAS, The Bylaws of the Synod, which are established
by resolutions of the Synod, set forth the manner in which
candidates are assigned to the Districts: and

WHEREAS, ‘‘A candidate for the office of the pastoral ministry

in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod may be ordained
when the following prerequisites have been met: 2. He shall