Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 43
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 43.
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.
Matthew 18:15 and may involve the informal use of a reconciler. And further, before any matter is submitted to the formal reconciliation process, the complainant must meet and consult with the appropriate ecclesiastical supervisor to seek advice and also so that it can be determined whether this is the appropriate bylaw procedure (Bylaw section 1.10) or whether the matter falls under Bylaw sections 1.8, 2.14, 2.15,
2.16, or 2.17, or Bylaws 3.10.5.7.9 or 3.10.6.9.6. In regard to this consultation:
(a) From this point forward in this process, in the case of multiple complainants or multiple respondents, the district president of the respondent decides whether or not each complainant and/or respondent proceeds singly and individually, or as a group.
(b) The district president of the complainant shall inform the district president of the respondent that a consultation is underway. He may also seek advice from the vice-presidents of his own district or from the district president of the respondent. The district president may also ask for an opinion of the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) and/or the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR).
The district president must follow any opinion received from either the CCM or the CTCR, which shall be rendered within 30 days or such additional time as the district president may allow.
(c) Within 45 days of the conclusion of the consultation and receipt of any advice or opinions as described above, the district president shall advise the complainant and the district president of the respondent of the appropriate bylaw section to be followed, and shall provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care to the party or parties.
(d) If Bylaw section 1.10 applies, the district president shall require the complainant to meet face -to-face with the respondent in the manner described in Matthew 18:15 if the complainant has not already done so.
(e) The reputation of all parties to a dispute is to be protected as commanded in the Eighth Commandment. The goal throughout is always one of reconciliation, of repentance and forgiveness, even if the following proceedings are carried out.
(f) Should the otherwise appropriate ecclesiastical supervisor be the intended respondent, or be disqualified due to conflict of interest, the next qualified district officer without such a conflict shall conduct the consultation and provide the attendant evangelical supervision, counsel, and care.
Formal Efforts toward Reconciliation
1.10.6 If any party to the dispute is of the opinion that informal reconciliation
efforts have failed, such party, in consultation with the appropriate ecclesiastical supervisor, shall submit a request to the administrator of the dispute resolution process, the secretary of the Synod or district, or an appointee, as appropriate, that a reconciler be appointed to assist in seeking reconciliation. Such request shall be accompanied by :
(a) a written statement of the matter in dispute; and
(b) a written statement setting forth, in detail, the informal efforts that have been made to achieve reconciliation.
