Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1975 · 51st Convention › Page 251
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 251

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

CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS 251

have received endorsement by the proper faculty or the Com-
mittee on Colloquies 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 a); and

WHEREAS, District Presidents pledge to “endeavor faithfully
to perform all the duties of such offices as laid down in the Con-
stitution and Bylaws” (Formulary of Induction, The Lutheran
Agenda, p. 196); therefore be it

Resolved, That those who have violated this trust promise to
do all in their power to encourage the men who have been or-
dained without synodical endorsement to immediately seek to
be certified by the proper faculty, so that this grave offense to
the members of the Synod may be removed: and be it further

Resolved, That failing to do this, they resign their office, so
that others who pledge themselves to the aforementioned obliga-
tions are given the opportunity to restore order in the Synod.

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church
Holdrege, Nebr.

Robert A. Ide, President
Darrel D. Maaske, Secretary

Identical or similar:

5-117B to 5-117D

St. John, Truman, Minn. A. H. Drevlow
Gethsemane, Rochster, Mich. Elmer Grund
Hope, Chicago, IIl. H. T. Wians
5-118

To Admonish District Presidents

to Comply

WHEREAS, Some District Presidents have usurped authority
beyond their constitutional rights by endorsing Seminex candi-
dates and by lending aid and comfort to the ELIM organization:
and

WHEREAS, This action violates their oath of office, scandalizes
the church, and creates no end of confusion, dissension, and
heartache: therefore be it

Resolved, That these District Presidents be admonished to
mend their ways and discharge their duties faithfully, particu-
larly as the guardians of pure doctrine and practice, or to
relinquish their office if they cannot comply.

St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Cornelius, Oreg.

Leonard Muhly, President
Gary L. Mrosko, Secretary
Alfred L. Enders, Pastor

5S-119A

To Expect District Officials to Abide
by Synodical Constitution

WHEREAS, Synodical Bylaw 3.07 a describes a District as ‘the
Synod itself performing the functions of the Synod,” and says
that ‘‘resolutions of the Synod are binding on the Districts”: and

_ WHEREAS, Synodical Bylaw 3.07 b says that Bylaws, regula-
tions, and resolutions of the Districts shall not conflict with the
Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod: and

WHEREAS, Some Districts and District officials have seen fit
to ignore the will of the Synod expressed in Bylaws and resolu-
tions in respect to the ordination of men not certified by syn-
odical schools; therefore be it

Resolved, That District officials should abide by synodical
Bylaws and resolutions or in all honesty give up their District
offices.

Trinity Lutheran Church
Scarsdale, N. Y.

George VanCleave, President
Robert Palmer-Smith, Secretary

Identical or similar:

5-119B to 5-119D
Our Redeemer, Cushing, Okla.

Emmanuel, Kingfisher, Okla.
St. John’s, Kildare, Okla.

Michael Holsten
V.H. Mickow
Theo. Knepper

5-120A

To Deal with District Presidents Who
Have Authorized Illegal Ordinations
of Seminex Students

WHEREAS, A number of District Presidents in open violation
of the Constitution of the LCMS have ordained Seminex gradu-
ates in their Districts; and

WHEREAS, The Constitution and Bylaws of the LCMS are
very clear concerning the proper procedure that is to be fol-
lowed in ordaining pastors in our Synod: and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Constitutional Matters has
made a clear ruling that upholds the Constitution and Bylaws,
at the same time rejecting the notion that Seminex is a ‘‘special
case’’; therefore be it

Resolved. That all District Presidents who have authorized
or have participated in the ordination of Seminex graduates be
required to withdraw their support of any illegal ordinations
and to publicly admonish all other pastors and congregations
in their Districts who likewise support the same; and be it further

Resolved, That those District Presidents who refuse to comply
with this resolution be asked to resign their office: and be it
finally

Resolved. That if they refuse to resign, the synodical Presi-
dent through the appropriate boards take the necessary action
to remove them from office.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Crookston, Minn.

David L. Anderson, Pastor
Leon Heldstab, Secretary

Identical or similar:

‘5-120B

Redeemer, Warsaw, Ind. John Ricker

5-121

To Deal with District Presidents Who
Violate Constitution and Bylaws

WHEREAS, The Handbook of the LCMS states: “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”
(3.07 a): and

WHEREAS, The Handbook states: “Jurisdiction with respect
to everything which is administered by or for the entire Synod
resides in the Synod itself, including . . . ordination and installa-
tion of clergymen and teachers who apply for membership in
the Synod” (3.07 e); and

WHEREAS, The Handbook states: ‘‘Each District President by
virtue of his office represents the Synod in his respective terri-
tory” (3.41): and

WHEREAS, Each District president as he is inducted into
service states that he will endeavor faithfully to perform all the
duties of his office not only in accord with the doctrines of Holy
Writ and the Confessions but also as laid down in the Constitu-
tion and Bylaws of the LCMS: and

WHEREAS, The Handbook states: ‘““The commission [Commis-
sion on Constitutional Matters] shall interpret the Synod’s
Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions upon the request of a
member ... official, board, commission, or agency of Synod. An
opinion rendered by the commission shall be binding on the
question decided unless and until it is overruled by a synodical
convention” (2.107 e): and