LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 254

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254 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION

1. immediately inform the member of the complaint, allega-
tions, or charges against the member and provide the member
with a copy of the complete documentation concerning the mat-
ter.

2. + thoroughly investigate whether the allegations can be
substantiated. In the event the District President is disqualified
because he is a party to the matter in dispute, has a conflict of in-
terest, or is unable to act, the First Vice-President or the next
qualified District officer to function in this instance shall act in
the place of the District President. Any challenge to the eligibil-
ity of the District President to act, which is not agreed to by the
District President, shall be determined by the Praesidium of the
Synod.

3. 2 follow guidelines of Matt.18:15~16 and may appoint a
small committee to assist in reconciliation efforts. [f the District
President is able to ascertain that the guidelines of Matt.
18:15-16 have not been followed on the local level where the
complaint arose, he shall refer the matter back to the com-
plainants until such guidelines have been followed.

b. If the District President declines to suspend the member
or fails to act within 90 days after receipt of the written com-
plaint, the complainant may request an appeal to the Praesidium
of Synod within 15 days of the date of the District President's
action or the 90-day deadline for action.

1. Such an appeal request shall be mailed to the Secretary of
the Synod, the District President, and the member who was
charged, and shall be accompanied by a written memorandum
stating the basis for the request.

2. Within 30 days after the receipt, an Appeal Panel shall
be selected in the prescribed manner, and the Secretary of
Synod shall send the request for an appeal to each panel mem-
ber.

3. The Appeal Panel shall issue in writing its decision as to
the request for an appeal within 30 days of receipt of the appeal
request.

4. If an appeal is granted, the complainant shall present the
written complaint to the Praesidium of the Synod, which con-
sists of the President and the Vice-Presidents of the Synod.

5. The Praesidium shall immediately inform the member of
the appeal and provide the member with a copy of the complete
documentation concerning the appeal.

6. If after investigation the Praesidium concludes that the
facts form a basis for expulsion of the member under Article
XIII of the Constitution, the Praesidium shall proceed in the
same fashion as hereafter required of the District President.

7. If the Praesidium determines not to proceed, it shall in
writing so inform the complainant and the involved member,
which shall terminate the matter.

8. If the Praesidium fails to act within 180 davs of receipt
of the written complaint the matter shall be terminated.

Redeemer, Wayzata, MN; Suburban Lakes Circuit,
Minnesota South District

To Make Clear Reasons a Pastor
May be Validly Dismissed from His Call

Wuereas, The Holy Scriptures set forth clearly God’s gift of
the office of the holy ministry (Eph. 4:11; Heb. 13:7, 17; 2 Tim.
4:2; 1 Tim. 3:2-4; Titus 1:9); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Confessions set forth the preaching of-
fice with this same scriptural clarity (Art. V, XIV, and XXVIII of
the Augsburg Confession and Apology); and

Wuereas, The Table of Duties of the Small Catechism clearly
sets forth the duties of both pastors and their hearers; and

WHEREAS, This gift of God is increasingly violated by pastors
who deal with their congregations in autocratic and quarrelsome
ways and by congregations who treat their pastors as employees;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention clearly restate its his-
toric understanding of the work of the pastoral office as drawn from
the Scriptures; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod hold its pastors accountable for doc-
trinal faithfulness, for diligence in the ministry of Word and Sacra-
ment, and for godliness of life; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention advise its member con-
gregations of their duty to honor the public ministry of the Word of
God and the Sacraments through their pastors in a way not gov-
erned by business methods or worldly standards; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention call upon its officers,
District Presidents, and congregations to dismiss those false shep-
herds, and only those, who (1) persist in false doctrine (2) are un-
able or unwilling to teach God’s Word or administer His Sacra-
ments or (3) are involved in public immorality; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention call upon both pastors
and congregations to lovingly fulfill the unique responsibilities He

has given to each of them even in the midst of struggle and even in
the midst of suffering.

Luther Memorial
Shorewood, WI

7-47

To Respond to Unjustified Reproaches against Pastors

WuerEaS, According to Art. V of the Augsburg Confession,
God instituted the Office of the Holy Ministry, i.e., the Preaching
Office (Predigtamt), in order that by means of the Gospel and
sacraments we may obtain the faith; and

Wuereas, The provisions set forth in the synodical Constitu-
tion, Art. VI and XIII, allow for removal from office only in cases
of inability to carry out one’s duties, false teaching, or offensive
conduct (i.e., public sin); and

WHEREAS. It is therefore regrettable that in recent times
throughout the Synod faithful ministers, in spite of their faithful-
ness in preaching, administering the sacraments, and decency of
life, are being banished from office by their congregations for fail-
ure to meet the congregations’ expectations; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention reaffirm the true vocation of the Holy Ministry (Predigt-
amt) by requiring District Presidents to admonish and, if they per-
sist, suspend those congregations who have rejected and removed
pastors who are faithful (i.e., of whom Art. VI and XIII do not per-
mit the removal from office); and be it further

Resolved, That the synodical President be directed and empow-
ered to admonish and, if they persist, suspend District Presidents
who do not abide by this requirement; and be it further

Resolved, That the synodical President be directed and empow-
ered to admonish, and, if they persist, suspend District Presidents
who have wrongly placed faithful pastors on restricted status (1.e.,
for reasons other than those set forth in Art. VI and XIII); and be it
finally

Resolved, That we affirm and thank our gracious God for the
doubly honorable service of those pastors who under such duress
have nonetheless exhibited steadfast faithfulness to the Word of
God.

Rock Island Circuit Forum
Central Illinois District

7-48

To Establish and Maintain Synodwide Program
to Evaluate Pastors Who Have Left Their Calls

WHEREAS, Pastors in our church should be encouraged with
grace; and

Wuereas. Increasing numbers of pastors are experiencing dif-
ficulties in the parish severe enough to lead them to either resign
their call or have their call rescinded; and