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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 548

Ov. 10-22 
To Amend Bylaw 1.10.7.4 to Allow Advisors to 
Represent Parties in Dispute Resolution Process 
Preamble 
Bylaw 1.10.7.4 (a) states that “The hearing shall be private, attended 
only by the parties to the dispute and one advisor of each party’s 
choice, should any party desire one. This advisor shall not address 
the panel or participate in the discussion at the hearing.” 
W
HEREAS, The Lord of Scripture recognizes the need for 
advocates, identifying the Holy Spirit as our advocate before the 
Father; and 
W
HEREAS, All secular and religious history recognizes the need 
for advocates; and 
WHEREAS, This is disastrous when there is an issue between 
unequal parties; a normal dispute resolution process is unequal, that 
is when a complaint is made about the actions of an authority figure; 
and 
WHEREAS, A common result is a wounded person, left without 
reconciliation, harmed again; therefore be it 
Resolved, That each party may have an advisor who may take a 
lead position, directing the testimony and presenting the issues to 
be resolved, and the complainant is not required to speak other than 
answering the questions they are asked; and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 1.10.7.4 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Procedure of a Dispute Resolution Panel 
… 
1.10.7.4 The following rules for the Dispute Resolution Panel shall 
apply: 
(a) The hearing shall be privatepublic , attended only by the 
parties to the dispute and one advisor of each party’s choice, 
should any party desire one. This advisor shall not address the 
panel or participate may take a leading position, directing the 
testimony and presenting the issues to be resolved. The 
complainant is not required to speak other than answering the 
questions they are asked in the discussion at the hearing. 
Witnesses who can substantiate the facts relevant to the matter in 
dispute may be called before and address the panel. The 
administrator of the process shall not attend the hearing or serve 
as a witness. The panel shall establish the procedure to be 
followed in the hearing and the relevancy of evidence so that each 
party shall be given an opportunity fully to present its respective 
position. In performing its duty, the panel shall continue efforts 
to reconcile the parties to the dispute on the basis of Christian 
love and forgiveness. 
… 
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 10-23 
To Amend Bylaw 1.10.10.1  
to Provide for Reconciler Reviews 
WHEREAS, Bylaw 1.10.10 states that “Each district board of 
directors shall appoint and maintain a district roster of four 
reconcilers …”; and  
WHEREAS, Dispute resolution process (DRP) reconcilers, as 
normal, sinful people who are subject to error, can and do misjudge 
and ignore real harm to victims and show deference to powerful 
perpetrators; and 
WHEREAS, The DRP is effectively a trial that passes judgment on 
the validity of the complaint, and may damage the career of the 
accused or leave the complainant further victimized; and 
WHEREAS, No report is made concerning the success or failure 
of dispute resolution process reconcilers and so the members of the 
district are unaware and unable to evaluate them for appointment 
and reappointment; therefore be it 
Resolved, That each time a reconciler is involved, the parties be 
asked for their evaluation and recommendation about the 
reconciler’s continuation in that position; and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 1.10.10.1 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
District Reconcilers  
… 
1.10.10.1 The term of service of a reconciler shall be six years, 
renewable immediately following every even -numbered regular 
Synod convention (e.g., 64th in 2010, 66th in 2016, 68th in 2023, 
etc.) without term limitations. Reconcilers shall be people “of good 
reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Each time 
a reconciler is involved, the parties are asked for their evaluation and 
recommendation about the reconciler to be continued in their 
position. Vacancies shall be filled by the district board of directors 
in the same manner as regular appointments. The district board of 
directors may add to the district roster of reconcilers a reconciler 
who has moved into the district from another district. 
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov. 10-24 
To Request Council of Presidents to Clarify 
Circumstances of Called Worker  
Removal or Resignation 
WHEREAS, The Church, as instituted by her Lord Jesus Christ, 
publicly calls both commissioned and ordained ministers according 
to good order (Eph. 4:11–12); and 
WHEREAS, Every called worker solemnly promises to serve 
God’s people in accordance with Holy Scripture and with our 
Lutheran Confessions (LSB Agenda, 166, 212); and 
WHEREAS, Every called worker likewise promises to adorn the 
Gospel of Jesus Christ with a holy and godly life (ibid.); and 
WHEREAS, There is a public nature to the work undertaken by 
those who serve the Church (Matt. 5:16; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2–4), 
as such a task includes exemplifying the faith for those they serve 
to see and emulate; and 
WHEREAS, Though rare, shameful and scandalizing cases have 
arisen, in which called workers are  found to be unfit according to 
the scriptural requirements (Rom . 12:3–8; Col . 3:12–17; 1 Tim. 
3:1–7; 4:1– 5, 14 –16) of those serving in called positions in the 
Church, which require a removal or resignation from the office held; 
and 
WHEREAS, Such cases are publicized to the Ch urch in a 
straightforward but question-inspiring manner, which gives way to 
justifiable curiosity, concern, and, worse, speculation or rumor; and 
WHEREAS, Those who have been removed or have resigned from 
called positions that once qualified  them to publicly teach God’s 
2026 Convention Workbook
513ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION