Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 3. pp. 351-352. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 10-02
Canonical number: 10-02
Committee: Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Printed pages: pp. 180-181
PDF pages: 180-181
Version: original, superseded
Source reference: Issue 1, pp. 180-181
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 1, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 180
- To Create a Task Force to Clarify Relationship Between Bylaw 1.10 and 2.14 and Consider
- Bylaw Changes for Dispute Resolution (Bylaw 1.10) and Expulsion of Congregations or
- Individuals from Membership in the Synod (Bylaw 2.14)
- RESOLUTION 10-02
- Overtures 10-06, 08, 12–17, 20–23 (CW, 503–4, 506–13)
- WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is united in a common confession of Holy Scripture and the
- Lutheran Confessions and is called to maintain unity in doctrine and judgment while addressing disputes in a fraternal and
- timely manner (Matt. 5:23–24; 1 Cor. 1:10). Such reconciliation serves both the Gospel and the well-being of the church;
- and
Page 181
- WHEREAS, 1 Cor. 1:10 says, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree,
- and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment;” and
- WHEREAS, The current dispute resolution process, codified by Bylaw 1.10, was established to resolve disputes within
- the church while avoiding secular litigation; in practice, however, the process has become lengthy, complex, and costly;
- its extensive procedural requirements and frequent reliance on in-person meetings can cause disputes to take years to
- address or to remain unresolved altogether; and
- WHEREAS, The relationship between Bylaw 1.10 and 2.14 (hereinafter referred to as 1.10/2.14 processes) is frequently
- confusing and the processes need clarification; and
- WHEREAS, Numerous overtures to this Synod convention (referenced above) indicate the necessity
- • to clarify the relationship between the Bylaws concerned in the 1.10/2.14 processes;
- • to clarify appropriate responses and differences in public vs. private disputes and/or grievances; and
- • to make the 1.10/2.14 processes more efficient and timely to complete: less costly, less complex, less cumbersome,
- and more transparent; and to address issues of required face-to-face meetings versus electronic communication;
- therefore, be it
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention create a task force to study and recommend changes, if needed, to the
- 1.10/2.14 processes; and be it further
- Resolved, That the task force consist of the following members:
- • the President of Synod or his designee;
- • the Secretary of Synod or his designee;
- • three district presidents and two district secretaries selected by the Council of Presidents to represent each of the
- geographical regions of the Synod;
- and be it further
- Resolved, That this task force seek the input of experienced lay panel facilitators and reconcilers; and be it further
- Resolved, That this task force, in its study, include special attention to changes in these Bylaws, address the concerns
- expressed including, but not limited to, the process being too costly, cumbersome, lengthy, and inefficient; and provide
- clear guidance regarding private/public processes and face-to-face versus electronic communications; and be it further
- Resolved, That the report of recommendations made by the task force be made available to the congregations and
- pastors of the Synod no less than nine months prior to the 2029 Synod convention for the purpose of receiving input,
- comment, and feedback prior to publishing the 2029 Convention Workbook; and be it finally
- Resolved, That the report and all feedback be assigned to the proper floor committee for the purpose of adopting
- resolutions to present at the 2029 Synod convention.
- The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
- Committee, estimate an incremental cost of $90,000–$120,000 for task force meetings (estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7
- [g]).
