# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S260 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 260 SYNOD STRUCTURE AND GOVERANCE you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers (1 Cor. 6:1-8 NIV); and, WHEREAS, The Synod in walking together has agreed to abide by the sole and exclusive remedy for resolving conflict among its members provided in Bylaws: 1.10.1—When disputes, disagreements, or offenses arise among mem- bers of the Body of Christ, it is a matter of grave concern for the whole Church. Conflicts that occur in the Body should be resolved promptly (Matt. 5:23, 24; Eph. 4:26-27), Parties are urged by the mercies of God to proceed with one another with “the same attitude that was in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5). In so doing, individuals, congregations, and various agencies within the Synod are urged to reject a win-lose attitude that typifies secular conflict. For the sake of the Gospel, the Church should spare no resource in providing assistance. 1.10.1.1—The Holy Scriptures (1 Cor. 6:17) urge Christians to settle their differences by laying them before the “members of the brother- hood.” Therefore, the Synod, in the spirit of 1 Cor. 6, calls upon ail par- ties to a disagreement, accusation, controversy, or disciplinary action to rely exclusively and fully on the Synod’s system of reconciliation and conflict resolution. The use of the Synod’s conflict resolution pro- - cedures shall be the exclusive and final remedy for those who are in dis- pute. Fitness for ministry and other theological matters must be deter- mined within the church. Parties are urged, in matters of a doctrinal nature, to follow the procedures as outlined in Bylaw 1.8; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS Southern District encourage its mem- bers to utilize the Synod’s dispute resolution process to resolve any disagreements within the Synod; and be it further Resolved, That the Southern District discourage its members from utilizing lawsuits as a means of internal conflict resolution among its members; and be it further Resolved, That we learn to live with Christian grace, speak to each other with verbal care (speaking the truth in love) and know that the Holy Spirit will provide comfort and truth for all concerned as we seek to do His will and remain faithful to His Word (Eph. 4:1-6); and be it finally Resolved, That the Southern District memorialize the 2007 LCMS convention of the Synod to affirm the principles and en- couragement contained in this resolution. Southern District; North Circuit Forum, Southern Illinois District 8-08 To Not Turn to Civil Courts to Resolve Differences WHEREAS, Conflict does and always will occur this side of eter- nity; and WHEREAS, Hard hearts make it difficult to resolve conflict; and WHEREAS, Lawsuits have, on occasion, been brought by one brother against another within our Synod when a decision was felt to be wrong; and WHEREAS, Actions within the Church should never be to gain power and control (Matt. 20:25—28), but in seeking to be true to God’s Word; and WHEREAS, Our only weapon within the Church should be the sword of the Word of God (Eph. 6:10—20); and WHEREAS, Scripture states that brother should not go to court against brother before those of the world, but rather judge among themselves, even if it means that we suffer wrong (1 Cor. 6:1—11); and WuEREAS, We cannot and should not attempt to force either faith or actions, but simply trust that God alone can work faith and obedience through His Word; therefore be it Resolved, That we will not turn to civil courts to resolve our differences, but work through the means that the Church has estab- lished to judge our differences beginning with the guidance of our Lord in Matt. 18:15-18; and be it further Resolved, That we will use Scripture to determine the correct actions and to work toward reconciliation. Immanuel Seward, NE 8-09 To Assert Lawsuit to Be Contrary to Scripture WHEREAS, God has clearly stated in 1 Cor. 6 His intent that brothers in the faith not enter into lawsuits against one another: “If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between be- lievers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers” (1 Cor. 6:1-8, NIV); and WHEREAS, Some members of our Synod have initiated a law- suit against our church and our elected leaders; and WHEREAS, This lawsuit was filed without making, use of the Synod’s dispute resolution process; and WHEREAS, This is an unscriptural action for Christians, offends many Christians, and detracts from the mission of the church; and WHEREAS, There is deep concern for the spiritual well-being of those individuals and congregations who have entered into this lawsuit against the Synod; and WHEREAS, It is reported that a proposed agreement has been reached between the Synod and the plaintiffs that upon ratification would result in the dismissal of the lawsuit; therefore be it Resolved, That the 2006 Texas District convention assert that the class action lawsuit against our church is contrary to Scripture; and be it further Resolved, That out of Christian love we call the pastors and con- gregations who are party to this lawsuit to repent of their error, ac- cept and sign the proposed settlement, and truly “to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, NIV); and be it further Resolved, That these fellow Christians utilize the Synod’s dis- pute resolution process to resolve any disagreements in the Synod; and be it further Resolved, That while Christian repentance is desired, if no re- pentance is forthcoming, the Texas District President is encouraged to take appropriate actions for ecclesiastical supervision of mem- bers of the Texas District; and be it finally Resolved, That the 2006 Texas District convention petition the 2007 LCMS convention to do the same. Texas District 8-10 To Decry Lawsuit and Encourage Use of Dispute Resolution Process WHEREAS, God has clearly stated in 1 Cor. 6 His intent that brothers in the faith not enter into lawsuits against one another: If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it be- fore the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial