To Amend Bylaw 1.10.10.1 to Provide for Reconciler Reviews

Official Workbook overture source text

10-23 
To Amend Bylaw 1.10.10.1  
to Provide for Reconciler Reviews 
WHEREAS, Bylaw 1.10.10 states that “Each district board of 
directors shall appoint and maintain a district roster of four 
reconcilers …”; and  
WHEREAS, Dispute resolution process (DRP) reconcilers, as 
normal, sinful people who are subject to error, can and do misjudge 
and ignore real harm to victims and show deference to powerful 
perpetrators; and 
WHEREAS, The DRP is effectively a trial that passes judgment on 
the validity of the complaint, and may damage the career of the 
accused or leave the complainant further victimized; and 
WHEREAS, No report is made concerning the success or failure 
of dispute resolution process reconcilers and so the members of the 
district are unaware and unable to evaluate them for appointment 
and reappointment; therefore be it 
Resolved, That each time a reconciler is involved, the parties be 
asked for their evaluation and recommendation about the 
reconciler’s continuation in that position; and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 1.10.10.1 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
District Reconcilers  
… 
1.10.10.1 The term of service of a reconciler shall be six years, 
renewable immediately following every even -numbered regular 
Synod convention (e.g., 64th in 2010, 66th in 2016, 68th in 2023, 
etc.) without term limitations. Reconcilers shall be people “of good 
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Each time 
a reconciler is involved, the parties are asked for their evaluation and 
recommendation about the reconciler to be continued in their 
position. Vacancies shall be filled by the district board of directors 
in the same manner as regular appointments. The district board of 
directors may add to the district roster of reconcilers a reconciler 
who has moved into the district from another district. 
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov.