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LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 552

WHEREAS, The Synod, in seeking to be faithful to this high 
calling, has established ecclesiastical supervisory structures for the 
oversight and discipline of church workers; and 
WHEREAS, Allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, 
assault, or other forms of pastoral boundary violations demand 
serious investigation and just resolution for the sake of the Gospel, 
the victims, and the Church’s witness to the world; and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has historically used the term sexual 
misconduct to describe a range of behaviors that, in cases involving 
pastors or other church workers, constitute sexual abuse because of 
the inherent power imbalance in relationships where spiritual, 
educational, or institutional authority is exercised; and the absence 
of precise terminology has hindered appropriate accountability and 
transparency in ecclesiastical proceedings; and 
W
HEREAS, Such abuse involves not only moral failure but also 
the misuse of spiritual authority, which violates the trust inherent in 
the pastoral office and inflicts deep spiritual, emotional, and 
psychological harm on victims; and 
W
HEREAS, Current practice allows a rostered worker to resign at 
any point during an ecclesiastical investigation, effectively halting 
the process and leaving the matter unresolved; and 
W
HEREAS, Such resignation may enable a person credibly 
accused of abuse or other disqualifying sin to avoid accountability, 
obscure the nature of the resignation, and attach themselves to other 
ministries or parachurch organizations without warning or 
consequence; and 
W
HEREAS, Victims, congregations, and the broader church are 
best served by a completed investigation that speaks the truth in love 
and justice (Eph. 4:15; Micah 6:8); and 
W
HEREAS, There is currently no mechanism to publicly identify 
those who have resigned while under ecclesiastical investigation, 
potentially putting others at risk and undermining confidence in the 
integrity of the Office of the Holy Ministry; therefore be it 
Resolved, That the Synod direct the chairman of the Council of 
Presidents to appoint a task force to review current bylaws, 
manuals, opinions from the Commission on Constitutional Matters 
(CCM), and procedures for addressing sexual misconduct, with the 
purpose of clarifying and revising applicable bylaws and 
supervisory procedures so that ecclesiastical investigations of 
alleged misconduct or abuse is completed even if the accused 
resigns from the roster; and be it further 
Resolved, That the task force include a minimum of three women 
as members so that all potential victims are represented throughout 
the review and revision process; and be it further 
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 (e.g., Resigned Under 
Ecclesiastical Investigation ) 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 ; and that it be 
reported publicly; and be it further 
Resolved, That the task force, if deemed appropriate, revise 
Bylaw section 2.17 in consultation with the Secretary of Synod, the 
Commission on Handbook, and the CCM to make the process more 
transparent for both the victim and the accused, and to emphasize 
pastoral care for victims, their families, and the congregations 
impacted by sexual misconduct; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod define and distinguish the terms sexual 
abuse, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and sexual assault in 
alignment with recognized pastoral care, legal, and psychological 
standards, and affirm that clergy sexual misconduct constitutes 
sexual abuse by virtue of the authority entrusted to the pastoral 
office; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod require all rostered workers and all 
students preparing for the ministry to receive regular education and 
training in clergy -sexual-abuse prevention, boundary awareness, 
and appropriate pastoral care; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod call upon all district presidents to 
prioritize the pastoral care of victims and those impacted by clergy 
sexual abuse, ensuring that justice is pursued with both transparency 
and compassion; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that those who hold the Office 
of the Ministry must live above reproach, and that the Church bears 
responsibility to exercise faithful oversight for the sake of Christ’s 
name and His beloved flock. 
St. Paul, Fremont, WI; Woodbury, Woodbury, MN 
Ov. 10-30 
To Require Completion of Ecclesiastical 
Investigations and Strengthen Response to Sexual 
Misconduct/Abuse by Rostered Church Workers 
Preamble 
This overture seeks to close a critical gap in the Synod’s current 
supervisory process regarding sexual abuse. Under present bylaws, 
a minister of religion —ordained and commissioned  (rostered 
worker) under ecclesiastical investigation  may resign at any time, 
thereby halting the process and leaving the matter unresolved. Such 
resignation denies closure for the victims
, weakens accountability, 
damages the Church’s public witness, and allows the possibility of 
further harm in future ministry contexts.  
By requiring completion of investigations even after resignation, 
establishing clear public designations, introducing standardized 
terminology, and providing for preventive education, this overture 
aims to protect victims, preserve the integrity of the Church’s 
ministry, and strengthen the Church’s witness to the world. 
WHEREAS, The Office of the Holy Ministry is established by God 
(Jer. 3:15; 1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9) and entrusted to fallible men 
who must remain above reproach for the sake of Christ’s Church; 
and 
WHEREAS, Auxiliary offices 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 
WHEREAS, The Synod, in seeking to be faithful to this high 
calling, has established ecclesiastical supervisory structures for the 
oversight and discipline of rostered workers; and 
W
HEREAS, Allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment, 
assault, or other forms of boundary violations by rostered workers 
demand serious investigation and just resolution for the sake of the 
Gospel, the victims, and the Church’s witness to the world; and 
2026 Convention Workbook
517ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION