Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 44
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 44.
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.
If the secretary of the Synod or district is a party to the matter in dispute, has a conflict of interest, or serves as a witness, then the President of the Synod or the district president, as appropriate, shall appoint an administrator of the process in the matter.
1.10.6.1 The administrator shall within 15 days select the reconciler in the manner
hereinafter set forth and then notify the parties to the dispute as to the name and address of the reconciler. He/she shall also forward to the chosen reconciler and the respondent the statement of the matter in dispute and the written statement of the informal reconciliation efforts.
1.10.6.2 If the reconciler determines that informal reconciliation efforts have been
inadequate, the reconciler shall direct the parties to the dispute to engage in further informal reconciliation efforts. Such additional time shall not exceed 60 days.
1.10.6.3 If informal reconciliation efforts do not resolve the matter, the reconciler
shall direct the respondent to submit to the reconciler and the complainant a written reply responding to the statement of the matter in dispute. The reconciler shall sim ultaneously arrange a formal reconciliation meeting with the parties to the dispute. Such meeting shall be scheduled by the reconciler at the earliest reasonable date possible, at a location which will minimize travel for the parties to the dispute.
1.10.6.4 At the formal reconciliation meeting, the reconciler shall listen to the facts
as presented by the parties to the dispute and seek to reconcile their differences on the basis of Christian love and forgiveness. With the approval of the reconciler, each party may, in the manner described in Matthew 18:16, bring one or two persons to the meeting “so that every matter may be established by their testimony.” Such meeting shall not be open to the public, nor shall any formal record be made thereof. The reconciler may draw upon persons and resources that the reconciler deems necessary to assist in the reconciliation process.
1.10.6.5 Upon conclusion of the formal reconciliation meeting or meetings, the
reconciler shall prepare a written report which contains
(1) the actions of the reconciler;
(2) the issues that were resolved:
(3) the issues that remain unresolved;
(4) a statement whether reconciliation was achieved;
(5) the statement of the complainant as to informal reconciliation efforts;
(6) the statement of the matter in dispute; and
(7) any reply by the respondent.
All other communication that takes place during the reconciliation process shall be considered strictly confidential, including all oral and written communications of the parties to the dispute. The report, therefore, shall not contain any such information nor shall it contain any opinion of the reconciler regarding the dispute. The report and the attachments shall be provided only to the parties to the dispute and the secretary of the Synod or district as appropriate.
