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Resolved, That the Oklahoma District address its church workers and laity who use social media accounts to create strife and division in violation of the Eighth Commandment and call them to repent of their actions and sins; and be it further

Resolved, That the district call its church workers and laity to remove posts in violation of the Eighth Commandment and those who operate anonymous accounts to delete the anonymous account as a sign of repentance; and be it further

Resolved, That the district call on those who operate social media accounts to create strife and division to seek private Confession and Absolution so they can hear the pure Gospel in light of their repentance; and be it finally

Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod to pass this resolution in convention in 2026.

Oklahoma District

Ov. 10-04

To Request Theological and Pastoral Statement and Bylaw Review regarding Social Media, Partisan Media, and Eighth Commandment in Ecclesiastical Proceedings

WHEREAS, The Eighth Commandment forbids bearing false witness against our neighbor and commands that we defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way; and

WHEREAS, Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment in the Small and Large Catechisms warns against gossip and slander and calls for appropriate, orderly channels when confronting sin;

and

WHEREAS, Our Lord’s words in Matthew 18:15 –20 provide a pattern for addressing sin first privately, then with one or two witnesses, and finally, if needed, before the Church; and

WHEREAS, In our time, social media, blogs, podcasts, and other informal online platforms provide unprecedented means to spread accusations, insinuations, and commentary about pastors and congregations, often without accountability and without following the Lord’s pattern; and

WHEREAS, While legitimate concerns sometimes come to light through such channels, the Church must take great care lest unverified, anonymous, or partisan online content be treated as the equivalent of properly received testimony in ecclesiastical proceedings; and

WHEREAS, There is growing concern in the Synod that highly partisan or coordinated online campaigns can exert undue pressure on ecclesiastical supervisors and shape outcomes in ways that are not conducive to sober, evangelical judgment; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod direct the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), in consultation with the Council of Presidents, to prepare a theological and pastoral statement addressing:

• the Eighth Commandment in the digital age;

• the proper handling of accusations against pastors and congregations;

• the appropriate and inappropriate uses of social media, blogs, podcasts, and similar media in relation to ecclesiastical supervision and discipline; and • the distinction between information that may prompt investigation and evidence that may justly be used in reaching judgments;

and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR statement include guidance on:

• the dangers of anonymous or pseudonymous attacks;

• the responsibility of Christians to refrain from sharing unverified accusations; and • the need for church leaders to resist allowing online outrage or partisan media pressure to drive disciplinary decisions;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook, in light of such a statement, be requested to review and, where appropriate, propose

bylaw language or official guidelines making clear that:

• anonymous or partisan online content may be a prompt for further inquiry but may not be treated as inherently reliable evidence;

• ecclesiastical investigations must seek firsthand testimony and properly documented facts; and • decisions in disciplinary cases are to be based on evidence gathered through appropriate, churchly procedures, not on the volume or intensity of online commentary;

and be it further

Resolved, That districts be encouraged to provide teaching resources for congregations on the Eighth Commandment and digital communication, to help members understand how to use social media in a manner befitting Christians; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod encourage all pastors and laypeople to commit themselves anew to guarding their tongues and keyboards, that we may “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and avoid harming Christ’s flock through uncharitable or disorderly speech.

Our Savior, Arlington, VA; St. John’s, Alexandria, VA;

Trinity, Lexington Park, MD;

Circuit 8 (Washington, South), Southeastern District

Ov. 10-05

To Uphold Eighth Commandment in Digital Communication and Ecclesiastical Proceedings

WHEREAS, The Eighth Commandment forbids bearing false witness against our neighbor and commands that we “ defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way ” (SC I, Eighth Commandment); and

WHEREAS, Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment in the Small and Large Catechisms warns against gossip and slander and calls for appropriate, orderly channels when confronting sin;

and

WHEREAS, Our Lord ’s words in Matthew 18:15–20 provide a pattern of addressing sin first privately, then with one or two witnesses, and finally, if needed, before the Church; and

WHEREAS, In our time, social media, blogs, podcasts, and other informal online platforms provide unprecedented means to spread accusations, insinuations, and commentary about pastors and congregations, often without accountability and without following the Lord’s pattern; and

WHEREAS, While legitimate concerns sometimes come to light through such channels, the C hurch must take great care lest 2026 Convention Workbook

502 ECCLESIASTICAL SUPER VISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION