# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S26 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 26 SYNODICAL REPORTS Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to address them and propose solutions for problems which existed. Those appointed were Dr. John Brunner, President of the Easter District and Chairman of the Committee of the Council of Presidents (appointed as a result of the adoption of Resolution 7-19 of the 2001 convention); Rev. Phil Esala, also attorney and member of the Board of Managers of Worker Benefit Plans; Dr. Walter Rosin, former Secretary of the Synod; and Dr. Wilbert Sohns, member of the Commission on Constitutional Matters and former President of the Wyoming Dis- trict. Rev. Jon Braunersreuther, Assistant to the President was ap- pointed to serve as staff liaison to the Task Force. In his appoint- ment letter the President noted that under present Bylaws ecclesiastical supervision and Dispute Resolution intersect at a number of points in Chapters II, VI, and VIII, and that these inter- sections “‘experientially have resulted in confusion, consternation, conflict, and even collisions.” Objectives The objectives of the Task Force were outlined as follows: 1. Carefully consider and offer proposed amendments to the specific procedures involved in both the process of ecclesiastical supervision and that of dispute resolution. 2. Carefully review the relationship between ecclesiastical supervision and dispute resolution as delineated in Chapters II, VI and VII of the 2001 Handbook and offer proposed amendments that have as their goal the clarification and coordination of the two processes, particularly at their points of intersection. Specific attention shall be given to Bylaws 2.23, 2.25, 2.27, 2.29, 6.47 and the entirety of Chapter VIII. 3. Carefully coordinate the work of the task force with the LCMS Council of Presidents which has been tasked by Resolution 7- 19 of the 2001 convention “To . . . Discuss and Report on Bylaw 2.27 g” and with the Commission On Structure. 4. Prepare a report and recommendations of Bylaw amendments ar 7004 convention of the Synod, in accord with Bylaw 19 al. In its initial telephone conference meeting Dr. John Brunner was chosen as Chairman of the Task Force with Dr. Walter Rosin serving as Secretary. During the first face-to-face meeting of the task force members it was determined that the group would seek information and views from persons who had been involved in issues of ecclesiastical su- pervision and dispute resolution in the past as well as the present. Consequently, the task force requested and received responses in person or in writing from former synodical Presidents Dr. Ralph Bohlmann and Dr. Robert Kuhn; Synod Secretary, Dr. Raymond Hartwig; Dr. Wm. Meyer, Executive Director of the Board for Higher Education and President of the Concordia University Sys- tem; Dr. Albert Marcis, Member of the Commission on Constitu- tional Matters and chairman of the group which had developed the Dispute Resolution Process, and author of the Council of Presidents response to the 2001 convention resolution. Also invited to respond were Dr. Wallace Schulz, Dr. David Benke, Dr. Lowell Schorr (Chairman of the Commission on Structure) and Mr. Walter Tesch (Chairman of the Commission on Constitutional Matters), and the legal counsel of the Synod. The task force also reviewed resolutions adopted by 2003 Dis- trict conventions related to the issues involved in the assignment which had been given to it, all Opinions of the Commission on Constitutional Matters related to Dispute Resolution and Ecclesi- astical Supervision, C. F. W. Walther’s essay to the 1879 Iowa Dis- trict convention (Duties of an Evangelical Lutheran Synod), The Episcopal Dimensions of Partners in Holy Ministry (Council of Presidents, 1988) and various documents on ecclesiastical supervi- sion in the LCMS. Following the presentations and review of the documents re- ceived, the task force identified those issues it felt needed to be ad- dressed. 2004 Convention Workbook Core Values The task force identified a number of “Core Values” which it felt must be kept in mind in the review of any present Bylaws and procedures as well as any revisions which would be proposed. In- cluded among these were the following: 1. The guidelines found in Matthew 18 are to govern with respect to matters of dispute and to charges which may be brought against members of the Synod. An offended person must notify the person perceived to have given offense about the problem and state that he/she is initiating the procedures of Matthew 18. Face-to-face meetings are an absolute must when charges are brought against a member of the Synod by another member. These guidelines governing charges against an individual are also reflected in 1 Timothy 5:10 ff. which note that an accusation against an elder should not be entertained unless it is brought by two or three witnesses and that those who sin are to be rebuked publicly so that others may take warning. 2. A member of the Synod is to be presumed innocent unless proved otherwise when charges are brought against the member. Article III 8 and 9 of the Constitution of the Synod, calling for evangelical] supervision, counsel, and care for church workers and protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and other church workers in the performance of their official duties and the maintenance of their rights is of vital importance. 3. Being proactive rather than reactive in dealing with members is to be the position taken by all involved when charges are being considered. Galatians 6:1-3 is the governing directive as it requires that when a member is overtaken in a sin every effort should be made to restore that member in a spirit of gentleness. 4. The Synod has identified those who are responsible for the ecclesiastical supervision of its members. Those to whom it has not been given should not assume the responsibility of ecclesiastical supervision. 5. Action to resolve issues should be taken on a timely basis. Delay in seeking to resolve issues should not be tolerated. 6. Where possible, without jeopardizing the integrity of the process, simplification should be promoted. 7. The impartiality of the processes for dispute resolution (Chapter VIII) and expulsion of membership (Chapter II) should be upheld and promoted. 8. Charges are not to be filed against a member until the initial steps outlined in Matthew 18 have been taken. 9. The public that is aware of a sin is not to be expanded by improper publicity. ' 10. When charges are proved to be false, every effort must be made to repair and/or restore the reputation of the accused if it has been damaged. Conceptual Assumptions of Bylaw Change Recommendations Regarding Supervision, Expulsion of Membership, and Dispute Resolution A. Ecclesiastical Supervision Principles. 1. A valued element of our polity since the Synod’s inception has been evangelical supervision (Constitution Article III 8). Its value should be protected and promoted so that ecclesiastical supervisors can better counsel and care for those whom they have been elected and given the duty to supervise. Therefore, the Synod adheres to and practices the ecclesiastical supervision process established by the Synod (i.e., those elected to supervise are to supervise; those not elected to supervise are not to supervise). 2. Define ecclesiastical supervision and promote its positive (Gospel) use and not merely its negative (Law) use. 3. Ecclesiastical supervisors not only regularly supervise members of Synod, they also should best know (and can be trained to best know) when cases should be brought under the various Bylaws of Chapters II, VI, and VIII. Therefore, ecclesiastical supervisors should be consulted as to which procedure is appropriate to use when one over whom they