LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 40

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40 SYNODICAL REPORTS

spect this decision, and the District involved shall take action with
respect to the congregation as it may deem appropriate.

8.13 District Reconcilers

a. Within three months after the synodical convention, each Dis-
trict Board of Directors shall appoint a District roster of four rec-
oncilers, no more than two of whom shall be pastors, from a list
supplied by the Circuit Counselors of the District. The term of ser-
vice shall be six years, renewable without limit. They shall be peo-
ple “of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom” (Acts
6:3). Vacancies for an unexpired term shall be filled in the same
manner by the District Board of Directors within 30 days following
their occurrence. A District Board of Directors may add to the Dis-
trict roster of reconcilers a reconciler who moves into the District
from the District where appointed.

b. One of the four shall be chosen by blind draw according to
the procedures set forth in the Standard Operating Procedures Man-
ual (hereafter referred to as SOPM) by the Secretary of the District
to serve as reconciler in the following situations arising in the Dis-
trict:

1. Procedural questions involved in excommunication cases

2. Cases in which a member of the Synod shall have been re-
moved from the position which that member holds in a congrega-
tion which is a member of the Synod

3. Cases in which a person, whether or not a member of the
Synod, is removed from the position which the member holds in
the District

4. Cases involving differences between congregations within
the same District or between a congregation and its District

c. The members of the District roster of reconcilers of all the
Districts shall comprise the synodical roster of reconcilers. One
member of the synodical roster of reconcilers shall be chosen by
blind draw according to the SOPM by the Secretary of the Synod in
all disputes except those (a) enumerated in section b above, or (b)
cases under Article XII of the Constitution, which shall follow the
procedure set forth in sections 2.26-2.29 of the Bylaws.

d. Limitations on holding multiple offices do not apply to rec-
oncilers.

e. If a reconciler moves from the District where appointed, such
reconciler shall remain as a member of the synodical roster of rec-
oncilers until the term of service of the reconciler expires.

f. If all of the District reconcilers are unavailable for a particular
matter, the Secretary of the District shall request that a reconciler
from another District be chosen in the prescribed manner by the
Secretary of the adjacent District.

8.14 Hearing Facilitators

a. Within three months after the Synodical convention, each
District Board of Directors shall nominate two hearing facilitators
from a list supplied by the Circuit Counselors of the District. They
shall be people “of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wis-
dom” (Acts 6:3) and whose sole interest is the proper conduct of a
fair and impartial hearing. In consultation with the District Presi-
dents, the Secretary of the Synod shall identify 45 of the nominees,
at least one from each District, to comprise the Synodical roster of
hearing facilitators, who shall be trained for such service. The term
of service shall be six years, renewable without limit. Any vacan-
cies for an unexpired term shall be filled in the same manner as de-
scribed above as needed and as requested by the Secretary of
Synod.

b. Limitations on holding multiple offices do not apply to hear-
ing facilitators. .

c. If a hearing facilitator moves from the District where nomi-
nated, such hearing facilitator, if on the roster of hearing facilita-
tors, shall remain as a member of the synodical roster of hearing
facilitators.

2004 Convention Workbook

d. A hearing facilitator shall not serve as a reconciler or as a
voting member of a panel.

8.15 Dispute Resolution Panels

a. The synodical roster of reconcilers shall comprise the list
from which Dispute Resolution Panel voting members will be se-
lected.

b. Each Dispute Resolution Panel shall consist of three voting
persons, at least one of whom shall be a pastor and one a layman,
selected as follows:

1. Nine names shall be selected by a blind draw from the dis-
pute resolution roster.

2. No member of a panel shall be from the District in which the
dispute arose or, if it is a synodical question, from any District in
which a party holds membership.

3. The list shall be mailed simultaneously to each party, who
shall be entitled to strike three names and return the list to the Sec-
retary of the Synod within one week.

4. The Secretary of the Synod shall correct any problem with
the panel from the remaining names by blind draw according to the
SOPM. In the event additional names are needed, three names will
be selected in the manner set forth above and those names submit-
ted to each party who shall have the right to strike one. In the event,
there is more than one remaining, the Secretary shall determine the
final member by a blind draw according to the SOPM from that re-
mainder.

c. The synodical roster of hearing facilitators who shall com-
prise the list from which hearing facilitators for Dispute Resolu-
tion Panels will be selected, shall be selected as follows:

1, Three names shall be selected by a blind draw according to
the SOPM from the hearing facilitator roster.

2. No hearing facilitator shall be from the District in which the
dispute arose or, if it is a synodical question, from any District in
which a party holds membership.

3. The list shall be mailed simultaneously to each party, who
shall be entitled to strike one name and return the list to the Secre-
tary of the Synod within one week.

4. The Secretary of the Synod shall correct any problem with
the panel from the remaining names by blind draw according to the
SOPM. In the event additional names are needed, two names will
be selected in the manner set forth above and those names submit-
ted to each party who shall have the right to strike one. In the event,
there is more than one remaining, the Secretary shall determine the
final member by a blind draw according to the SOPM from that re-
mainder.

d. The hearing facilitator, who shall conduct the hearing and
who shall serve as chairman of the panel, may draw upon persons
and resources which he deems necessary for conducting a hearing
in a fair and equitable manner.

e. Under the chairmanship of the hearing facilitator, the panel
shall elect a secretary.

8.16 Appeal Panels and Review Panels

a. The Appeal Panel shall be made up of three District Presi-
dents who shall be trained for such service; one selected by the
complainant, one selected by thie respondent, and the third selected
by the two Appeal Panel members so selected. If the two Appeal
Panel members cannot agree on a third, the Secretary of the Synod
shall select the third member by blind draw according to the SOPM
from the remaining District Presidents.

b. The synodical roster of reconcilers shall comprise the list
from which Review Panel members will be selected.

c. Each Review Panel shall consist of three persons, at least one
of whom shall be a pastor, and at least one layman, selected as fol-
lows: