# LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters Minutes_St. Louis Missouri_February 23 2013_S19
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

The administrator of the dispute resolution process surfaced the issue of the absence of a provision in
the Bylaws for the removal of district-appointed dispute resolution process reconcilers (Bylaw section
1.10). Strict adherence by reconcilers to the instructions provided in the Bylaws and Standard Operating
Procedures Manual is essential for uniformity and good order as reconcilers do their important work.
Given the absence of any bylaw provision to allow a reconciler to be removed for cause, the Commission
on Handbook proposes the following bylaw addition for adoption by the 2013 convention of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
1.10.10.4 A reconciler may be removed for cause from a district’s roster of reconcilers by that district’s
board of directors upon report of the administrator of the dispute resolution process after
consultation with the president of the district.

(G) Composition of Dispute Resolution and Appeal Panels
(Bylaws 1.10.13.1, 1.10.13.2, 1.10.15.1, 1.10.15.2)
Rationale
In order to broaden district representation and to avoid the appearance of unfairness or the potential
for undue influence, the Commission on Handbook proposes the following changes to the bylaws
governing the composition of dispute resolution and appeal panels, for adoption by the 2013 convention
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
1.10.13.1 Each Dispute Resolution Panel shall consist of three voting members, at least one of whom
shall be a pastor and one a layperson.
(a) Nine names shall be selected by a blind draw from the dispute resolution roster.
(b) No member of a panel shall be from the district in which the dispute arose or, if it is a
Synod question, from any district in which a party holds membership. No two members of
a panel shall be from the same district.
(c) The list….
1.10.13.2 The hearing facilitator shall be selected as follows:
(a) Three names shall be selected by a blind draw according to the SOPM from the hearing
facilitator roster.
(b) No hearing facilitator shall be from the district in which the dispute arose or from any
district in which a party holds membership or from any of the panel members’ districts.
(c) The list….
1.10.15.1 Each Review Panel shall consist of three voting members, at least one of whom shall be a
pastor, and at least one layperson.
(a) Nine names shall be selected by a blind draw according to the SOPM from the roster of
reconcilers of the Synod.
(b) No member of a panel shall be from the district in which the dispute arose or, if it is a
Synod question, from any district in which a party holds membership. No two members of
a panel shall be from the same district.
(c) The list….
Page 89 – 02.23.13 – COH Minutes