Official Workbook PDF page source text

LCMS 2026 Convention Workbook: Reports and Overtures, PDF page 553

WHEREAS, The Synod has historically used the term sexual 
misconduct to describe a range of behaviors that, in cases involving 
rostered workers, constitute sexual abuse because of the inherent 
power imbalance in relationships where spiritual, educational, or 
institutional authority are exercised; and the absence of precise 
terminology has hindered appropriate accountability and 
transparency in the ecclesiastical supervisory process; and 
WHEREAS, Such abuse involves not only moral failure but also 
the misuse of spiritual authority, which violates the trust inherent in 
the Church’s ministry 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 Church’s 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, Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) opinions, 
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 be 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 
and to ensure proper documentation, reporting, and closure; and be 
it further 
Resolved, That the Synod develop and maintain a publicly 
accessible classification and designation, “Resigned Under 
Ecclesiastical Investigation ,” for all rostered workers who resign 
before the completion of an investigation into allegations of sexual 
misconduct/abuse; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod develop and maintain a publicly 
accessible classification and designation, “Removed for Sexual 
Abuse,” for all former rostered workers who are removed from the 
roster due to substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct/abuse; 
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 supervisory 
process more transparent for both the victim and the accused and to 
emphasize pastoral care for victims, their families, and the 
congregations impacted by rostered workers sexual 
misconduct/abuse; 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 spiritual care, legal, and psychological 
standards, and affirm that sexual misconduct  by a rostered worker 
constitutes sexual abuse by virtue of the authority entrusted by the 
Church to her rostered workers; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod require all rostered workers and all 
students preparing for ministry to receive regular education and 
training in sexual abuse prevention, boundary awareness, and 
appropriate spiritual care; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod call upon all district presidents to 
prioritize the spiritual care of victims and those impacted by 
rostered worker sexual abuse, ensuring that justice is pursued with 
both transparency and compassion; and be it further 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that those who hold the Office 
of the Holy Ministry and offices auxiliary to it must live above 
reproach; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that the Church bears 
responsibility to exercise faithful oversight for the sake of Christ’s 
name and His beloved flock. 
St. Paul 
Manawa, WI 
Ov. 10-31 
To Certify Accuracy and Trustworthiness  
of Call Documents 
WHEREAS, The Synod C onstitution states the following as 
objectives of the Synod: 
• to “provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for 
pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers of 
the Synod in the performance of their official duties” (Const. 
Art. III 8); and 
• to “provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, 
and other church workers in the performance of their official 
duties and the maintenance of their rights ” (Const. Art. III 
9); and 
• to “aid in providing for the welfare of pastors, teachers, and 
other church workers, and their families in the event  of 
illness, disability, retirement, special need, or death” (Const. 
Art. III 10);  
and 
W
HEREAS, The Constitution defines membership in the Synod as 
follows: “membership in the Synod is held and may be acquired by 
congregations and individuals, ministers of religion—ordained and 
ministers of religion— commissioned, of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church who confess and accept the confessional basis of Article II” 
(Const. Art. V), and “all organized congregations that have joined 
the Synod hold voting membership ” (Const. Art. V A), and 
“individual members of the Synod, who are  nonvoting except for 
those pa stors exercising the vote of a member congregation and 
installed to a  member congregation, are the following : 1. Pastors, 
ordained ministers, called and installed to a member congregation,” 
etc. (Const. Art. V B; Const. Art V B 1); and 
WHEREAS, The Constitution obligates the respective district 
president, to “ sign all examination papers and certificates of 
2026 Convention Workbook
518 ECCLESIASTICAL SUPER VISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION