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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 546

do misjudge and ignore real harm to victims and show deference to 
powerful perpetrators; and 
WHEREAS, This may leave victims of harm no way to seek 
redress, apology, amendment of harm, and no way to enforce the 
award of monetary damages; and 
WHEREAS, Anything and everything may be secret and 
undocumented; and 
WHEREAS, The DRP is effectually a trial and passes judgment on 
the validity of the complaint; the DRP may damage the career of the 
accused or leave the complainant further victimized; and 
WHEREAS, In Scripture, the C onfessions, and normal standards 
of the secular world, the accused is to see and hear the evidence and 
both parties receive an impartial, complete examination; and 
WHEREAS, DRP reconcilers are normal sinful people with 
varying abilities and have absolute power over the careers of 
rostered staff and over the individuals who make complaints; and 
W
HEREAS, N o report is made concerning DRP reconcilers ’ 
success or failure; and the members of the district are unaware and 
unable to evaluate them for appointment and reappointment; and 
WHEREAS, DRP is forced arbitration and enforced by non-
disclosure under penalty of dismissal from Synod membership and 
civil judgment; and 
W
HEREAS, DRP forbids the parties from seeking satisfaction in 
civil courts even though Synod itself takes action in c ivil courts; 
therefore be it 
Resolved, That all non-disclosure clauses, including those in the 
past, are no longer in effect and forbidden in the future; and be it 
further 
Resolved, That no one is, as a condition of membership in Synod, 
forbidden to seek redress in the courts; and be it further 
Resolved, That each time a reconciler is involved, the parties are 
to be asked for their evaluation and recommendation about the 
reconciler to be continued in their position; and be it further 
Resolved, That a report be made before reappointment  of the 
success/failure rate for each reconciler; and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 1.10.2 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Purpose 
1.10.2 … It shall be the exclusive suggested remedy to resolve 
such disputes that involve theological, doctrinal, or ecclesiastical 
issues except those covered under Bylaw sections 2.14 –2.17 and 
except as provided in Bylaw 1.10.3, and shall be binding on all 
parties. It is applicable whether the dispute involves only a 
difference of opinion without personal animosity or is one that 
involves ill will and sin that requires repentance and forgiveness. No 
person, congregation, or agency to whom or to which the provisions 
of this dispute resolution process  are applicable because of their 
membership in the Synod may render this procedure inapplicable by 
terminating that membership during the course of the dispute 
resolution process.  Since monetary damages that can only be 
awarded by civil court, the Dispute Resolution Panel cannot be used 
as a defense to prevent issues from being heard in the courts. 
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 10-18 
To Require No One to Participate  
in the Dispute Resolution Process 
Preamble 
The Standard Operating Procedures Manual for Bylaw Section 
1.10 (December 2023, p. 25; available from lcms.org/ccm ) has as 
General Provision Y , “Exclusion from Liability ,” the following : 
“Parties are to understand that the Synod, its reconcilers, its 
ecclesiastical supervisors, its process administrators, its panels, and 
all panel members shall be immune from any liability for any acts 
or omissions that occur during the processes described in Bylaw 
section 1.10 and this manual.” 
WHEREAS, This exclusion from liability is effectively an 
admission of incompetence; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has no confidence in the dispute resolution 
process; therefore be it 
Resolved, That no one is required to participate in the dispute 
resolution process. 
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 10-19 
To Allow Parties to Delay Hearing  
to Await Commission Opinion 
Preamble 
Bylaw 1.10.18.1 (h) states: “If any part of the dispute involves a 
specific question of doctrine or doctrinal application, each party 
shall have the right to an opinion from the Commission on Theology 
and Church Relations. If it involves questions of const itution or 
bylaw interpretation, each party shall have the right to an 
interpretation from the Commission on Constitutional Matters. The 
request for an opinion must be made through the Dispute Resolution 
Panel or Review Panel, which shall determine the wor
ding of the 
question(s).” 
WHEREAS, The dispute resolution reconciler is not required to 
forward the request for the opinion without modification; and 
WHEREAS, A requested opinion may not arrive before the dispute 
resolution hearing; and 
WHEREAS, The question, “Can a laywoman on her own authority 
command a clergyman not to write a letter?” was the core issue in 
the complaint; the letter truthfully reported the action of the 
leadership to the congregation; and the dispute resolution reconciler 
ruled the accusation valid grounds for discipline; therefore be it 
Resolved, That a p arty may postpone a hearing until the 
requested opinion is received. 
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 10-20 
To Amend Bylaw 1.10.18.1 (g)  
to Allow Parties to Record Proceedings 
Preamble 
Bylaw 1.10.18.1 (g) includes, “All Dispute Resolution Panel, 
Appeal Panel, or Review Panel records of disputes in which a final 
decision has been rendered by the Dispute Resolution Panel, Appeal 
2026 Convention Workbook
511ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION