Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 40
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 40.
This page reproduces text from the 2023 LCMS Handbook for study and navigation. Readers should verify procedural, legal, parliamentary, or governance questions against the official LCMS Handbook and appropriate LCMS authorities.
been reconciled to God through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
Christ’s “ministry of reconciliation” is one of the church ’s foremost priorities.
1.10.1.4 Christian conflict resolution seeks to resolve disputed issues in a manner
pleasing to God. Those in conflict are urged to proceed prayerfully in good faith and trust. Disputes are more likely to be resolved harmoniously if those involved in the c onflict recognize one another as redeemed children of God.
1.10.1.5 Christians involved in conflict must always stand ready to ask for or extend
forgiveness in accordance with Scripture. As the church endeavors to help bring about peace, truth, justice, and reconciliation, it always seeks to do so with a proper distinction between Law and Gospel, that is, in the context of God’s judgment and mercy. We are ever to be mindful that it is God who judges the hearts of sinful men and grants His gracious word of forgiveness to us all.
1.10.1.6 When there is repentance and reconciliation, the body of Christ rejoices in
its oneness with Christ and with one another.
Purpose
1.10.2 This procedure is established to resolve, in a God -pleasing manner,
disputes that involve as parties, (1) members of the Synod ; (2) corporate Synod or an agency of the Synod; (3) members of congregations challenging the procedure used in their excommunications; (4) auxiliaries and recognized service organizations that have agreed to address callrelated disputes through the dispute resolution system, in regard to such disputes; or ( 5) members of congregations of the Synod elected or appointed to positions with the LCMS Board of Directors or an agency of the Synod . It shall be the exclusive remedy to resolve such disputes that involve theological, doctrinal, or ecclesiastical issues except those covered under Bylaw sections 2.14– 2.17 and except as provided in Bylaw 1.10.3, and shall be binding on all parties. It is applicable whether the dispute involves only a difference of opinion without personal animosity or is one that involves ill will and sin that requires repentance and forgiveness. No person, congregation, or agency to whom or to which the provisions of this dispute resolution process are applicable because of their membership in the Synod may render this procedure inapplicable by terminating that membership during the course of the dispute resolution process.
Exceptions
1.10.3 This chapter provides evangelical procedures to remedy disputes only and
does not set forth procedures for expulsion from membership (Constitution Art. XIII and Bylaw sections 2.14 – 2.17) nor does it set forth procedures for boards of regents’ supervision of faculty and administration as specified in Bylaws 3.10.5.7.5– 3.10.5.7.9 and 3.10.6.9.4–6 . While Christians are encouraged to seek to resolve all their disputes without resorting to secular courts, this chapter does not provide an exclusive remedy for the following matters, unless such matters involve theological, doctrinal, or ecclesiastical issues, including those arising under the divine call of a member of the Synod:
