Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 3. pp. 352-353. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 10-03
Canonical number: 10-03
Committee: Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution
Source: Today's Business, Issue 1
Printed pages: pp. 181-182
PDF pages: 181-182
Version: original, superseded
Source reference: Issue 1, pp. 181-182
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 181
- To Respond to Sexual Misconduct by Rostered Workers and Make Provision
- for Spiritual Care of Those Affected
- RESOLUTION 10-03
- Overtures 10-27–30 (CW, 515–18)
- WHEREAS, God establishes the Office of the Holy Ministry for the care of His people (John 20:21–23; 1 Tim. 3:1–7;
- Titus 1:5–9), and those who serve in this office are called to lives that are “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2); and
- WHEREAS, Offices auxiliary 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
Page 182
- WHEREAS, The Synod, in seeking to be faithful to these vocations, has established a process of ecclesiastical
- supervision for the oversight and discipline of church workers; and
- WHEREAS, The Synod uses the term sexual misconduct to describe a range of sinful behaviors reflecting an ungodly
- life (Constitution Article XII 8) that gives offense to the victims, the congregation or institution, all affected individuals,
- and the church’s witness to the world (cf. “offensive conduct,” Const. Art. XIII 1); and
- WHEREAS, A member accused of such an ungodly life or a giving of offense may resign from the roster at any time,
- removing himself or herself from ecclesiastical supervision; and
- WHEREAS, The need for spiritual care continues for all involved in an instance of sexual misconduct, regardless of the
- roster status of the accused; and
- WHEREAS, Member congregations, schools, or other calling bodies are required to consult with their district president
- before issuing a call (Bylaw 2.5.1) and may not issue a call to a worker who has resigned or been removed from the roster
- (Bylaws 2.5.2–3); workers who have resigned or been removed from the roster are no longer commended by the Synod
- for ministry; and member congregations, schools, or other calling bodies considering being served (without a call) by an
- individual who may have resigned or been removed from the roster may also contact their district president for counsel;
- therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Chairman of the Council of Presidents (COP) to appoint a task
- force to continue the work assigned by 2023 Resolution 10-05A, “To Speak to Spiritual Care of Victims of Sexual
- Misconduct by Individual Members of the Synod” (Proc., 219); and be it further
- Resolved, That the task force be comprised of no more than six individuals, including:
- • the Secretary of Synod or his designee;
- • the Synod’s legal counsel;
- • a member of the COP;
- • a female commissioned minister;
- • female lay representation, giving special consideration to victims of rostered worker sexual misconduct or
- experienced therapy professionals in this field;
- and be it further
- Resolved, That this task force be encouraged to seek the input of outside consultants with expertise in sexual
- misconduct issues and the testimony of victims of rostered worker sexual misconduct; and be it further
- Resolved, That the task force will:
- • review current bylaws, manuals, procedures, and opinions from the Commission on Constitutional Matters
- pertaining to sexual misconduct;
- • recommend revisions, if any, to applicable bylaws regarding cases of sexual misconduct;
- • contribute to continued refinement of advisory procedures and guidelines for ecclesiastical supervisors;
- • recommend resources to congregations and institutions to address the spiritual needs of the victims, the accused, the
- congregation(s) or institution(s) involved, and all affected individuals; and
- • recommend resources and encourage training of all rostered workers and of those preparing for church work
- vocations in sexual misconduct awareness and prevention; and be it further
- Resolved, That the task force report recommendations to the 2029 Synod convention; and be it finally
- Resolved, That in cases of alleged sexual misconduct, regardless of the roster status of the accused, the district
- president will assess the spiritual needs and make provision for the spiritual care of the victims, the accused, the
- congregation(s) or institution(s) involved, and all affected individuals.
- The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
- Committee, estimate an incremental cost of $200,000–$225,000 for 8–10 task force meetings and use of legal counsel
- and other external consultants (estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).
Published Proposed Amendments
This amendment is printed as a proposal and is not incorporated into the current resolution text unless official convention action confirms adoption. The printed amendment may reference an earlier version of the resolution.
Published Proposed Amendment to Resolution 10-03
Issue 4, p. 385, Issue 4, p. 385, lines 13-27, status: Proposed
Submitted by Christopher Neuendorf, Pastoral Delegate, North Dakota District
10. ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION To Respond to Sexual Misconduct by Rostered Workers and Make Provision for Spiritual Care of Those Affected AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION 10-03A Resolution 10-03A (TB, 3:352–53) To insert, at TB 3:353, after line 11, the two additional resolves: Resolved, That district presidents be directed and empowered, as those entrusted with ecclesiastical supervision, to carry forward all such investigations to completion regardless of resignation status, ensuring proper documentation, reporting, and closure; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod develop and maintain a publicly accessible classification or designation for all rostered workers who resign before the completion of an investigation into credible allegations of misconduct, or, if a rostered worker is removed due to a substantiated allegation of clergy sexual abuse, that it be reported publicly; and be it further Christopher Neuendorf Pastoral Delegate, North Dakota District
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