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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 549

Word in our midst at times move to other organizations or church 
bodies despite their being found unfit according to God’s clear 
standards, thus further scandalizing the Church and sowing 
confusion; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents  (COP) confer and 
compose a clear process by which the removal or resignation of 
called workers in the S ynod will be more clearly relayed to the 
wider Synod, taking into consideration Bylaw  sections 2.13 and 
2.17, with particular attention to Bylaw 2.13.2.1 (a–c); and be it 
further 
Resolved, That the COP , in their work, consider relaying the 
status of the called worker ( restricted, suspended, or under 
investigation) at the time of the removal or resignation. 
Circuit 20 (Mankato), Minnesota South District;  
Circuit 8 (Oklahoma City), Oklahoma District 
Ov. 10-25 
To Request Council of Presidents to Clarify 
Circumstances of Called Worker  
Removal or Resignation from Roster 
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 
W
HEREAS, 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 
W
HEREAS, 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 
W
HEREAS, 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 Church 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 and from the roster that once qualified them to 
publicly teach God’s Word in our midst at times move to other 
organizations or church bodies despite their being found unfit 
according to God’s clear standards, thus further scandalizing the 
Church and sowing confusion; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents (COP) confer and 
compose a process by which the removal or resignation of called 
workers from the roster of the Synod, and the nature thereof (e.g., 
false doctrine, immoral life, inability to serve —omitting details), 
will be more clearly relayed to the wider Synod, taking into 
consideration Bylaw sections 2.13 and 2.17, with particular 
attention to Bylaw 2.13.2.1 (a–c); and be it further 
Resolved, That the COP, in their work, consider relaying the 
status of the called worker ( restricted, suspended, or under 
investigation) at the time of the removal or resignation from the 
roster. 
Circuit 25 (Kenosha), South Wisconsin District;  
Circuit 26 (Racine), South Wisconsin District 
Ov. 10-26 
To Amend Bylaw 2.13.3.2  
to Make Restriction Appeals Public Record  
and to Allow Further Review 
Rationale 
A district president placed a pastor on restricted status. In response 
to the question, why was the letter written, the pastor replied, “to 
defend my children,” and referred to the scene in Braveheart where 
the man defended his wife. The letter was written five years prior , 
to someone else. The district president, a week later, felt threatened 
and publicly announced to the entire Synod that  the pastor was 
placed on restricted status. In the appeal hearing with three other 
district presidents, unrecorded, the  ruling was in favor of the first 
district president, even though he admitted he acted in violation of 
the Synod Constitution and normal practice by ruling on his own 
case (although the clause forbidding ruling on a matter where the 
district president was a party has since been removed), and 
rendering a judgment far in excess of the original offense. 
Therefore be it 
Resolved, That the entire appeal must be recorded, with a 
transcript given to the parties and placed in Synod and district files 
as a permanent public record; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Praesidium of the Synod (
the President and 
vice-presidents) have authority to review and discipline district 
presidents that violate their oath of office to uphold the Scriptures, 
Confessions, and Constitution of the Synod; and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.13.3.2 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Removal of Restricted Status and Limitations 
… 
2.13.3.2 Such petition for removal of restricted status shall be 
addressed solely to the Council of Presidents through the office of 
the President of the Synod. The Council of Presidents shall rule on 
such petition within six months from the date of receipt. 
… 
(e) The hearing before the panel shall be privatepublic, attended 
only by the parties and the witnesses who can substantiate the 
facts relevant to the matter in dispute. 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.  The entire appeal must be 
recorded, with a transcription given to the parties and placed in 
Synod and district files as a permanent public record. 
… 
(g) The decision of the hearing panel shall be the decision of the 
Council of Presidents and shallmay be final with nothe right of 
appeal to the Praesidium of the Synod that has authority to review 
and discipline district presidents  that violate their oath of office 
to uphold the Scriptures, Confessions , and the Synod 
Constitution. 
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
2026 Convention Workbook
514 ECCLESIASTICAL SUPER VISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION