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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 307

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

X. TASK FORCE ON DISPUTE RESOLUTION REPORT
following changes developed upon consideration of the opinion by
the Commission on Constitutional Matters in its August 2013 meeting (Opinion 13-2665).
Proposed Action
Therefore be it
Resolved, that Bylaw section 1.8 “Dissent” be expanded to address
current concerns by adding additional wording:
PROPOSED WORDING
1.8 Dissent
1.8.1 While retaining the right of brotherly dissent, members of the
Synod are expected as part of the life together within the fellowship of
the Synod to honor and uphold the resolutions of the Synod.
1.8.2 Dissent from the doctrinal position of the Synod as expressed
in its resolutions and doctrinal statements is to be expressed first within
the fellowship of peers (that is, with those who are competent to evaluate the issue critically) and then brought to the attention of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations before finding expression as an
overture to the Synod in convention calling for revision or recision. The
discussion among the fellowship of peers is to be conducted privately
and confidentially among those who are competent rather than a public forum. While the conscience of the dissenter shall be respected, the
consciences of others, as well as the collective will of the Synod, shall
also be respected.
1.8.3 This right of brotherly dissent does not allow a member of
the Synod publicly to teach contrary to the established position of the
Synod. Any such public teaching shall place in jeopardy membership
in the Synod.

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H. To Add Bylaw Provisions re Ethical Conduct
Rationale
When the Synod had the benefit of a public relations department, it
articulated the importance of Christian ethics. One of its stated objectives was to encourage “a clear and faithful witness to the Christian
ethic in the marketplace of business, finance, and labor as well as in
the halls of government” (1966 Handbook, p. 203). Attorneys who
work with legal matters are subject to ethical standards requiring them
to avoid the appearance of impropriety as they carry out their responsibilities or suffer certain disciplinary consequences. Such a standard
for behavior is certainly appropriate for those who have responsibilities in the church, as already articulated in Bylaw 1.5.1.3.
Adding requirements regarding standards for ethical conduct to
existing conflict of interest and disciplinary bylaws is appropriate to
underscore its importance.
Proposed Actions
Therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 1.5.2 be amended as follows to underscore
the importance of ethical conduct:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest and Ethical Conduct
1.5.2 Every board or commission member, officer, and all staff of
corporate Synod and every agency of the Synod shall avoid conflicts of
interest and shall conduct themselves in an ethical manner as described
in this bylaw.
(a) Every agencyAll agencies shall implement the synodwide

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conflict of interest policies, conflict-of-interest policy, and that
policy which shall be applicable to themthose agencies and
all staff operating under them. This policy Conflict of interest
policies shall include the following provisions:
(1) Every board or commission member shall disclose to
the chairman of the agency and all staff shall disclose to
the chief executive or executive director of the agency
any potential conflicts of interest. Each chairman or chief
executive or executive director shall disclose personal
potential conflicts of interest to the appropriate board or
commission.
(2) Such disclosures shall include board membership on, a
substantial interest in, or employment of the individual or a
relative by any organization doing business with corporate
Synod or any of the agencies of the Synod.
(3) Every board or commission member, officer, and all staff
of corporate Synod and every agency of the Synod who
receives honoraria or payments for any sales or services
rendered to corporate Synod or any of the agencies of the
Synod shall disclose such information.
(4) All such disclosures shall be reported to the respective
board or commission to determine by a vote of its
remaining impartial members whether an inappropriate
interest exists, and such vote shall be recorded in its official
minutes. In the case of officers, all such disclosures shall be
reported to the President of the Synod to determine whether
an inappropriate interest exists.
(b) All agencies and corporate Synod shall implement ethical
conduct policies, which shall be applicable to those agencies
and all staff operating under them. Ethical conduct policy shall
include provisions addressing the following:
(1) In general, Rresponsibilities shall be carried out in
a manner reflecting the highest degree of integrity and
honesty consistent with the Scriptures, the Lutheran
Confessions, the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of
the Synod, the policies of corporate Synod and the agencies
of the Synod, and civil laws.
(2) All who become involved in the work of the church,
especially those who are called into positions of oversight
and supervision, are expected to conduct themselves
according to the highest standards, to be above reproach
avoiding even the appearance of impropriety (1 Thess. 5:22
and 1 Tim. 3:2), and thus avoid involvement in actions or
activities which would call into question their capacity to
perform or deem their actions or behavior unethical within
the measure of these standards.
(1) Activities shall not be entered into which may be detrimental
to the interests of the Synod. Any inappropriate activity
shall cease or the position will be vacated.
(2) Information acquired in the course of carrying out duties
of the Synod shall not knowingly be used in any way that
would be detrimental to the welfare of the Synod.
(3) No one shall vote on any transaction in which the individual
might receive a direct or indirect financial gain.
(4) The Board of Directors shall establish policy regarding
the acceptance of gifts, entertainment, or favors from any
individual or outside concern which does or is seeking to do
business with corporate Synod or the agencies of the Synod.
(c) Individuals, prior to accepting elected, appointed, or staff
positions, shall initially and annually thereafter sign statements
stating that they have received, understand, and agree to abide
by this bylaw reflecting the Synod’s conflict of interest and
ethical conduct policy.

Raymond L. Hartwig, Chairman

2016 Convention Workbook