# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1998_S151
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION
4. It was suggested that the trained reconciler or Dispute Resolution Panel might bring in others to assist in
sensitizing the reconciler or the panel to certain issues
which might be involved. In order to provide for this, in
Bylaw 8.07 e the following words shall be added: “The reconciler may draw upon persons and resources which the
reconciler deems necessary to assist in the reconciliation
process,” and Bylaw 8.15 d be added stating, “The chairman of the panel may draw upon persons and resources
which he deems necessary for conducting a hearing in a fair
and equitable manner.”
In addition, in the glossary, Bylaw 8.03, the second sentence of the definition of witness shall be changed to read,
“A reconciler appointed to assist parties in dispute resolution or a person called upon by a reconciler at the formal
reconciliation meeting shall not testify as a witness before a
Dispute Resolution Panel in the same dispute.”
5. The question has arisen as to whether a reconciler
who moves from one District to another may be allowed to
serve as a reconciler in the District to which he/she moved.
In order to deal with this issue, the following changes shall
be made:
After the last sentence of Bylaw 8.13 a, add the following: “A District board may add to the District roster of reconcilers a reconciler who moves into the District from the
District where appointed.”
Also add as 8.13 f: “If all of the District reconcilers are
unavailable for a particular matter, the Secretary of the
District shall request that a reconciler from another District be chosen in the prescribed manner by the Secretary of
the other District.”
Action: Adopted (5)
(The resolution was amended by removing the reference to
“adjacent” District in the final resolve.)

To End Dual Membership in ELCA
and LCMS
RESOLUTION 7-12
Overtures 7-27, 7-88, 7-139–40 (CW, pp. 247–48, 266,
281)
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has a
few congregations and professional church workers that are
presently members both in the ELCA and the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has been very patient in dealing
with these situations speaking to them as early as the 1977
Dallas convention in Res. 5-01; and
WHEREAS, The ELCA has joined in confession with
church bodies that teach false doctrine; and
WHEREAS, It is not possible to make confession in two
church bodies at the same time; and
WHEREAS, It is a requirement of membership in the
LCMS to “renounce unionism and syncretism of every description” (LCMS Constitution, Art. VI); and
WHEREAS, Our Synod takes no pleasure in the loss of
members but desires that they join us in a free and genuine
confession of the doctrine of our church; and
WHEREAS, District presidents are charged with the supervision of District congregations and professional church
workers in accordance with Article XII of the Synod’s constitution; therefore be it

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Resolved, That the Secretary of the Synod ascertain
which individual members of the Synod, and which congregational members of the Synod are, in fact, holding “dual
membership” in the LCMS and ELCA and communicate
this to the respective District President of that District who
shall within 90 days from the end of this 1998 synodical
convention notify them that this arrangement must be
brought to an end; and be it further
Resolved, That the District President exercise his supervisory responsibilities as he works with these congregations
and individuals to help them come to a resolution of this
situation and if they do not resign their membership from
the ELCA within 18 months after the conclusion of the
1998 synodical convention, they shall have forfeited their
membership in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod;
and be it finally
Resolved, That said forfeiture will be communicated to
them by their District President.
Action: Adopted (5)
(An amendment to end the second resolve after the word situation and add a different final resolve was declined.)

To Clarify CCM Review Process
Regarding Bylaw Changes
RESOLUTION 7-13A
Overture 7-135 (CW, p. 279)
Rationale:
Questions have arisen regarding the possible conflict between Bylaw 3.905 a and Bylaw 15.01 d. The former calls
upon the Commission on Constitutional Matters to “examine all reports and overtures to the Synod asking for
amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod
or which in any manner affect the Constitution and Bylaws,
to determine their agreement in content and language with
the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.” The latter requires that amendments to the Bylaws be “submitted to the
Commission on Constitutional Matters for clearance” and
has been interpreted by some to mean that a special action
of “submission” of proposed amendments is required, an action not covered in Bylaw 3.905 a. This possible conflict
should be eliminated; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 15.01 d be amended to read as follows:
d. examined by the Commission on Constitutional Matters prior to presentation to the convention to determine
that they are not in conflict with the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod.
Action: Adopted (9)

To Address Nomenclature
of Church Workers
RESOLUTION 7-14A
Overtures 7-118–31 (CW, pp. 275–78)
WHEREAS, The Pittsburgh convention in 1992 passed a
resolution to study the nomenclature of professional church
workers in light of the Doctrine of the Ministry and present
a report to the Synod in convention; and