From a netfriend:

Friends in educational, welfare, health and union work tell me it is not unusual for their institutions and organizations to ask for feedback to major proposals so that members feel their response is valued, but in such a way that the chance of a meaningful response is diminished. The reason? The organization wants to do what it wants to do, and doesn’t actually want a response. It only wants to *appear* to be doing the right thing. Early cut off dates are one method. Of course, I’m not suggesting the church does this *intentionally*, but there is a pattern emerging, and people may become cynical about such exercises.