To Amend Bylaw 1.10.10.1 to Provide for Reconciler Reviews

Ov. 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