Official Handbook Source Text
Handbook page 50
Source: LCMS Handbook 2023, page 50.
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.
(d) The Secretary of the Synod shall correct any problem with the panel from the remaining names by blind draw according to the SOPM.
In the event that additional names are needed, three names will be selected in the manner set forth above and those names submitted to each party, who shall have the right to strike one. In the event that there is more than one remaining, the Secretary shall determine the final member by a blind draw according to the SOPM from that remainder.
1.10.13.3 The hearing facilitator shall conduct the hearing, shall serve as chairman of
the panel, and may draw upon persons and resources that he deems necessary for conducting a hearing in a fair and equitable manner.
1.10.13.4 The Dispute Resolution Panel shall select its own secretary from its
members.
Appeal Panels
1.10.14 The Appeal Panel shall be made up of three district presidents who shall be
trained for such service.
(a) One district president shall be selected by the complainant, one selected by the respondent, and the third selected by the two appeal panel members so selected.
(b) If the two appeal panel members cannot agree on a third, the Secretary of the Synod shall select the third member by blind draw according to the SOPM from the remaining district presidents.
Review Panels
1.10.15 Review Panel members shall be selected from the Synod’s roster of
reconcilers.
1.10.15.1 Each Review Panel shall consist of three voting members, at least one of
whom shall be a minister of religion— ordained, and at least one layperson.
(a) Nine names shall be selected by a blind draw according to the SOPM from the roster of reconcilers of the Synod.
(b) No member shall be from the district in which the dispute arose, or, if it is a Synod question, from any district in which a party holds membership. No two members of a panel shall be from the same district. No member shall have served on the previous Hearing Panel.
(c) The list shall be mailed simultaneously to each party, who shall be entitled to strike three names and return the list to the Secretary of the Synod within one week.
(d) The Secretary of the Synod shall correct any problem with the panel from the remaining names by blind draw according to the SOPM.
In the event that additional names are needed, three names will be selected in the manner set forth above and those names submitted to each party who shall have the right to strike one. In the event that there is more than one remaining, the Secretary shall determine the final member by a blind draw according to the SOPM from that remainder.
1.10.15.2 The hearing facilitator shall be selected as follows:
(a) Three names shall be selected by a blind draw according to the SOPM from the hearing facilitator roster.
(b) No hearing facilitator shall be from the district in which the dispute arose or from any district in which a party holds membership
