To Require Completion of Ecclesiastical Investigations and Strengthen Response to Sexual Misconduct/Abuse by Rostered Church Workers

Official Workbook overture source text

10-30 
To Require Completion of Ecclesiastical 
Investigations and Strengthen Response to Sexual 
Misconduct/Abuse by Rostered Church Workers 
Preamble 
This overture seeks to close a critical gap in the Synod’s current 
supervisory process regarding sexual abuse. Under present bylaws, 
a minister of religion —ordained and commissioned  (rostered 
worker) under ecclesiastical investigation  may resign at any time, 
thereby halting the process and leaving the matter unresolved. Such 
resignation denies closure for the victims
, weakens accountability, 
damages the Church’s public witness, and allows the possibility of 
further harm in future ministry contexts.  
By requiring completion of investigations even after resignation, 
establishing clear public designations, introducing standardized 
terminology, and providing for preventive education, this overture 
aims to protect victims, preserve the integrity of the Church’s 
ministry, and strengthen the Church’s witness to the world. 
WHEREAS, The Office of the Holy Ministry is established by God 
(Jer. 3:15; 1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9) and entrusted to fallible men 
who must remain above reproach for the sake of Christ’s Church; 
and 
WHEREAS, Auxiliary offices to the Office of the Holy Ministry 
have been established by the Church and entrusted to fallible men 
and women who must remain above reproach for the sake of 
Christ’s Church; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod, in seeking to be faithful to this high 
calling, has established ecclesiastical supervisory structures for the 
oversight and discipline of rostered workers; and 
W
HEREAS, Allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, 
assault, or other forms of boundary violations by rostered workers 
demand serious investigation and just resolution for the sake of the 
Gospel, the victims, and the Church’s witness to the world; and 
2026 Convention Workbook
517ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION