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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 406

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

406

ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The COP, acting as the Board of Assignments of the
Synod, has a crucial role in the Divine Call and placement of
candidates in our Synod, and such role should be carried out with
the prayerful deliberation and discussion of the entire body; and
WHEREAS, Bylaw 3.10.1.3 currently allows the responsibility of
interim placement of candidates to rest in the hands of one man
alone, or to the placement committee of the COP; and
WHEREAS, The COP is able to meet electronically between its
regular meetings to conduct the important work of placements of
candidates and vicars in our Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.10.1.3 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
3.10.1.3
The Council of Presidents shall serve as the Board of
Assignments of the Synod. It shall assign first calls to candidates for
the offices of ordained and commissioned ministers and handle or
assist with placement of other professional church workers. The
Council of Presidents may in its policies delegate authority for
interim placement (between its regular meetings) to a committee of
its own members or the chairman of that committee.

Circuit 3
Southern Illinois District
Ov. 10-10

To Appoint Task Force to Review
and Recommend Revisions to Bylaw Section 2.17
WHEREAS, Sexual misconduct by clergy is a serious and unique
problem facing the church today, requiring investigation of charges,
discipline of those who fail to live a life “above reproach” (1 Tim.
3:2–3), as well as pastoral care for victims, abusers, their families,
and congregations; and
WHEREAS, Sexual misconduct by clergy is a betrayal of the trust
expected from our Lord’s under-shepherds and an abuse of power
(“But it shall not be so among you.” [Mark 10:41–45]), causing
spiritual harm to victims; and
WHEREAS, The lack of transparency in and mishandling of cases
of clergy sexual misconduct by various church groups and
institutions has compromised the church’s witness to the saving
message of Jesus Christ in the world; and
WHEREAS, Some of the language and processes governing
Synod’s approach to such matters merit review and revision, such
as:
• the current bylaw governing sexual misconduct and criminal
behavior of individual members of Synod (Bylaw section
2.17), mirrors closely Bylaw section 2.14 (“Expulsion of
Congregations or Individuals from Membership in the
Synod”) when in practice these issues require radically
different approaches;
• the motive and state of mind of “the accuser” (often the
victim) in cases governed by Bylaw section 2.17 are vastly
different from that of the “accuser” in cases governed by
Bylaw section 2.14;
• Bylaw section 2.17 provides no right of appeal to victims of
sexual misconduct if formal proceedings are not initiated,
when Bylaw section 2.14 provides for the “accuser” to
appeal to the President of Synod; and
• the Standard Operating Procedures Manual (SOPM) for
Bylaw section 2.17 (more than 50 pages) is more about

2023 Convention Workbook

processes and procedures than ensuring pastoral concern for
victims, which can cause further trauma and spiritual harm
to a victim when no advocate is designated to assist them in
navigating the process or manual. For example, item 1.1 on
the flowchart for Bylaw section 2.17 requires that the
accuser simply be provided with a copy of the SOPM at the
initial consultation with the district president;
and
WHEREAS, Periodic review and revision of the process for
addressing sexual misconduct of clergy assures the victim, the
perpetrator, the church, and the wider public, that our Synod takes
these matters seriously, even as we modify and improve our process
amid difficult circumstances, and work to provide substantive care,
support, and discipline to those involved, all as part of our faithful
witness to Christ; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the President of Synod, in consultation with the
Council of Presidents (COP) appoint a task force to review our
current bylaws, manuals, Commission on Constitutional Matters
(CCM) guidelines, and procedures for addressing sexual
misconduct of clergy; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force include a minimum of two women
as members so that all potential victims will be represented
throughout the review and revision process; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force report its recommendations to the
President, COP, and CCM; and be it finally
Resolved, That the task force, if deemed appropriate, revise
Bylaw section 2.17 in consultation with the Secretary of Synod,
Commission on Handbook, and CCM, in order to make the process
more transparent for both the victim and the accused, and to
emphasize the need for pastoral care of victims, their families, and
congregations impacted by sexual misconduct.
Board of Directors
Minnesota South District