LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 143

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5. Structure and Organization

To Adopt New Process
for Conflict Resolution

RESOLUTION 5-01B
Overtures 5-01-21, 8-44 (CW, pp. 231-44, 308)

Preface. Since early 1980 the Synod has attempted in
numerous ways to clarify procedures that it felt would be
most useful in resolving conflicts at various levels within
the Synod. In recent years our present system of adjudi-
cation and appeals has proven to be extremely costly with
regard to the expenditure of money and time. In January
of 1990 the President of the Synod appointed a task force
to study the matter of conflict resolution and to make ap-
propriate recommendations. The task force, consisting of
members of the Council of Presidents, the Commission! on
Appeals, the Commission on Adjudication, and the Com-
mission on Constitutional Matters, has worked to develop
a process for conflict resolution that is based upon the
scriptural principles of reconciliation (Matt. 18 and 2 Cor.
5).

The Floor Committee on Structure and Organization
believes that the process presented by the task force offers
the Synod a new procedure for conflict resolution that:

a, is thoroughly biblical;

b. stresses the reconciliation of members within the
family of God (encouraging a win-win rather than win-lose
resolution of conflict); ' ,

c. presents a positive witness to-the secular community
as to how Christians resolve their conflicts;

d. provides for final resolution of disputes in a timely
manner;

e. is less costly in terms of money and time,

f. discourages the secular approach of adversarial hiti-
gation; and

g. requires a face-to-face meeting of the complainant
and respondent in a spirit of Christian reconciliation.

Therefore, the following revision of chapter VIII of the
Synod’s Bylaws is presented for adoption and imple-
mentation.

Resolved, That the following Bylaws be adopted as a
complete revision of chapter VIII.

PROPOSED WORDING
VILL Synodical Dispute Resolution
Preamble

When disputes, disagreements, or offenses arise

among members of the body of Christ, it is a matter, of
grave concern for the whole church. Conflicts which oc-
cur 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, i in-
dividuals, congregations, and various entities within the
Synod are urged to reject a “win-lose” attitude that ty-
pifies secular conflict. For thé sake of the Gospel, the
church should spare no resource in providing assistance.
The Holy Scriptures (1 Cor. 6:1-7) urge Christians
to settle their differences by laying them before the “mem-

Committes 5 Chairman Loren T. Kramer

bers of the brotherhood.” Therefore, the Synod in the
spirit of I Corinthians 6 calls upon all parties to a dis-
agreement, accusation, controversy or disciplinary ac-
tion to rei ly exclusively and fully on the Synod! ’s system
of reconciliation and conflict resolution. The use of the
Synod’s conflict resolution procedures shall be the ex-
clusive and final remedy for those who are in dispute.
Fitness for ministry and other theological matters must
be determined within the church. Parties are urged, in
matters of a doctrinal nature, to follow the procedures
as outlined in Bylaw 2.39 c.

The words of Jesus in Matt. 18:15-20 provide the
basis for church discipline for the local congregation.
The same passage also grants Christ’s guidance to all
Christians in seeking to settle other disputes, many of
which fall outside the purview of church discipline in-
volving the congregation. In either fase, the steps of Mat-
thew 18 should be FE plied lovingly in both formal and
informal settings. The parties a: P others attempting to
effect resolution of a dispute must always remain mind-
ful that the church has been given the “ministry of rec-
onciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18), Hence, conflict resolution in
the church is to lead to reconciliation, restoring the er-
ring member in a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1). Its aim
ts to avoid the adversarial system practiced in society:

The heart and center of all Christian conflict reso-
lution is the justification of the sinner through grace in
Christ Jesus. Biblical reconciliation of persons in con-
flict begins with God's truth that we are all sinners who
have been reconciled to God through the death and res-
urrection of Christ Jesus. Christ's “ministry of reconcil-
tation” is one of the church's foremost priorities.

Christian conflict resolution seeks to resolve disputed
issues in a manner pleasing to God. Those in conflict are
urged to proceed prayerfully in good faith and trust. Dis-
putes are more likely to be resolved harmoniously if those
involved in the conflict recognize one another as re-
deemed children of God. -

Christians involved in conflict must always stand
ready to ask for or extend forgiveness in accordance with
Scripture. As the church endeavors to help bring about
peace, truth, justice, and reconciliation, it always seeks