To Request Theological and Pastoral Statement and Bylaw Review regarding Social Media, Partisan Media, and Eighth Commandment in Ecclesiastical Proceedings

Official Workbook overture source text

10-04 
To Request Theological and Pastoral Statement 
and Bylaw Review regarding Social Media, 
Partisan Media, and Eighth Commandment  
in Ecclesiastical Proceedings 
WHEREAS, The Eighth Commandment forbids bearing false 
witness against our neighbor and commands that we defend him, 
speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way; and 
W
HEREAS, Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment in 
the Small and Large Catechisms warns against gossip and slander 
and calls for appropriate, orderly channels when confronting sin; 
and 
WHEREAS, Our Lord’s words in Matthew 18:15 –20 provide a 
pattern for addressing sin first privately, then with one or two 
witnesses, and finally, if needed, before the Church; and 
W
HEREAS, In our time, social media, blogs, podcasts, and other 
informal online platforms provide unprecedented means to spread 
accusations, insinuations, and commentary about pastors and 
congregations, often without accountability and without following 
the Lord’s pattern; and 
W
HEREAS, While legitimate concerns sometimes come to light 
through such channels, the Church must take great care lest 
unverified, anonymous, or partisan online content be treated as the 
equivalent of properly received testimony in ecclesiastical 
proceedings; and 
W
HEREAS, There is growing concern in the Synod that highly 
partisan or coordinated online campaigns can exert undue pressure 
on ecclesiastical supervisors and shape outcomes in ways that are 
not conducive to sober, evangelical judgment; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod direct the Commission on Theology 
and Church Relations (CTCR), in consultation with the Council of 
Presidents, to prepare a theological and pastoral statement 
addressing: 
• the Eighth Commandment in the digital age; 
• the proper handling of accusations against pastors and 
congregations; 
• the appropriate and inappropriate uses of social media, 
blogs, podcasts, and similar media in relation to 
ecclesiastical supervision and discipline; and 
• the distinction between information that may prompt 
investigation and evidence that may justly be used in 
reaching judgments;  
and be it further 
Resolved, That the CTCR statement include guidance on: 
• the dangers of anonymous or pseudonymous attacks; 
• the responsibility of Christians to refrain from sharing 
unverified accusations; and 
• the need for church leaders to resist allowing online outrage 
or partisan media pressure to drive disciplinary decisions; 
and be it further 
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook, in light of such a 
statement, be requested to review and, where appropriate, propose 
bylaw language or official guidelines making clear that: 
• anonymous or partisan online content may be a prompt for 
further inquiry but may not be treated as inherently reliable 
evidence; 
• ecclesiastical investigations must seek firsthand testimony 
and properly documented facts; and 
• decisions in disciplinary cases are to be based on evidence 
gathered through appropriate, churchly procedures, not on 
the volume or intensity of online commentary;  
and be it further 
Resolved, That districts be encouraged to provide teaching 
resources for congregations on the Eighth Commandment and 
digital communication, to help members understand how to use 
social media in a manner befitting Christians; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod encourage all pastors and laypeople to 
commit themselves anew to guarding their tongues and keyboards, 
that we may “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and avoid harming 
Christ’s flock through uncharitable or disorderly speech. 
Our Savior, Arlington, VA; St. John’s, Alexandria, VA;  
Trinity, Lexington Park, MD;  
Circuit 8 (Washington, South), Southeastern District 
Ov.