# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S264 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 264 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION respect this decision, and the District involved shall take action with respect to the congregation as it may deem appropriate. A. Informal and Formal Reconciliation 8.11 Procedure for Reconcilers a. If any party to a case is of the opinion that informal reconcil- iation efforts (face-to-face meetings) have failed. or if any party to a case refuses to meet to assist in effecting reconciliation, any party to a case shall submit a request to the Secretary of the Synod or District, as appropriate. that a reconciler be appointed to assist in seeking reconciliation. Such request shal] be accompanied by (a) a written statement of the matter in dispute and (b) a written state- ment setting forth, in detail, the efforts that have been made to achieve informal reconciliation. b. The Secretary of the Synod or District, as appropriate, shall promptly select the reconciler in the manner hereinafter set forth and then notify the parties to the dispute as to the name and address of the reconciler. He shall also forward to the chosen reconciler and to the parties of the case, the statement of the matter in dispute and the written statement of informal reconciliation efforts. c. If the reconciler determines that informal reconciliation ef- forts have been inadequate, the reconciler shall direct the parties to engage in further reconciliation efforts. Such additional time shall not exceed 60 days. d. If informal reconciliation efforts (face-to-face meeting) do not resolve the matter, the reconcilers shall direct the com- plainant[s] and the respondent[s] to submit to the reconciler a writ- ten reply stating or responding to the statement of the matter in dis- pute. The reconciler shall simultaneously arrange a formal reconciliation meeting with the parties to the dispute. Such meeting shall be scheduled by the reconciler at the earliest reasonable date possible, at a location that will minimize travel for the parties to the dispute. e. Upon conclusion of the formal reconciliation meeting or meetings, the reconciler shall prepare a written report that contains the actions of the reconciler, the facts agreed to, the facts remaining in dispute, and whether reconciliation has been achieved. Attached to the report shall be 1. the statement of the complainant as to informal reconcilia- tion efforts; 2. the statement of the matter in dispute; 3. any reply by the respondent. The report and the attachments shall be forwarded to the par- ties to the dispute and the Secretary of the Synod or District as ap- propriate. g. If the parties with the assistance of the reconciler have achieved reconciliation or have been unable to achieve reconcilia- tion, the reconciler shall notify the Secretary of the Synod in a writ- ten report as to the status of the case within 30 days after reconcil- iation meetings have been formally concluded. h. If formal reconciliation has failed, either party to the case may request an appearance before a Commission on Adjudication to hear the case within 30 days after formal reconciliation meet- ings have concluded. Either party may request an appearance be- fore a Commission on Adjudication by writing to the Secretary of the Synod, who will then forward a copy of the report of the rec- onciler with its attachments to the Commission on Adjudication. 8.13 District Reconcilers a. Within three months after the synodical convention, each Dis- trict Board of Directors shall appoint a District roster of four rec- oncilers, no more than two of whom shall be pastors, from a list supplied by the Circuit Counselors of the District. The term of ser- vice shall be six years, renewable once. They shall be people “of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” (Acts 6:3). Vacancies for an unexpired term shall be filled in the same manner by the District Board of Directors within 30 days following their occurrence. 2001 Convention Workbook b. One of the four shall be chosen by blind draw by the Secre- tary of the District to serve as reconciler in the following situations arising in the District: 1. Procedural questions involved in excommunication cases; 2. Cases in which a member of the Synod shall have been re- moved from the position that member holds in a congregation that is a member of the Synod; 3. Cases in which a person, whether or not a member of the Synod, is removed from the position that the member holds in the District in cases involving differences between congregations within the same district or between a congregation and its District; c. The members of the District roster of reconcilers of all the Districts shall comprise the synodical roster of reconcilers. One member of the synodical roster of reconcilers shall be chosen by blind draw by the Secretary of the Synod in all disputes except those (1) enumerated in section b above, or (2) cases under Art. XIII of the Constitution, which shall follow the procedure set forth in 2.27 of the bylaws. d. Limitations on holding multiple offices do not apply to rec- oncilers. e. [f a reconciler moves from the District where appointed, such reconciler shal] remain as a member of the synodical roster of rec- oncilers until the term of service of the reconciler expires. f. If all of the District reconcilers are unavailable for a particular matter, the Secretary of the Synod shall select a reconciler by blind lottery from two adjacent Districts. B. Structures for Adjudication and Appeal 8.15 Commission on Adjudication There shall be one District Commission on Adjudication for each District of the Synod, and one synodical Commission on Ad- judication. Commissions on Adjudication shall be constituted, have jurisdiction, and follow the procedures set forth or authorized in this chapter. 8.17 Commission on Appeals There shall be one Commission on Appeals, which shall be con- stituted, have jurisdiction, and follow the procedures set forth or authorized in this chapter. 8.19 Membership a. Each District Commission on Adjudication shall be elected by its District, and the synodical Commission on Adjudication shall be elected by the Synod. Commissions on Adjudication shal] con- sist of four ordained ministers and three Jaymen, at least two of whom shall be lawyers. The Commission on Appeals shall be elected by the Synod and shall consist of five ordained ministers and four laymen, at least two of whom shall be lawyers. Terms of office shall be six years in length and shall otherwise be in accor- dance with Section 3.61 of these bylaws. b. On any commission one commissioned minister on the syn- odical membership roster may be elected in the place of an or- dained minister. c. With the exception of members of the faculties of the educa- tional institutions of the Synod, no individual holding any position in the Synod, in any of its Districts, or in any other organization owned and controlled by the Synod, shall be eligible for member- ship on a Commission on Adjudication or the Commission on Ap- peals. 8.21 Officers Each Commission on Adjudication and the Commission on Ap- peals shall elect a chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary, and may elect such other officers as it may determine. 8.23 Vacancies a. Vacancies on the synodical Commission on Adjudication or the Commission on Appeals shall be filled by the respective com- mission. Consideration should first be given to individuals who