LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 260

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260 SYNOD STRUCTURE AND GOVERANCE

you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will
judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you
have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little
account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is
nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this in front
of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means
you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be
wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and
do wrong, and you do this to your brothers (1 Cor. 6:1-8 NIV);

and,

WHEREAS, The Synod in walking together has agreed to abide
by the sole and exclusive remedy for resolving conflict among its
members provided in Bylaws:

1.10.1—When disputes, disagreements, or offenses arise among mem-
bers of the Body of Christ, it is a matter of grave concern for the whole
Church. Conflicts that occur 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, individuals, congregations, and various
agencies within the Synod are urged to reject a win-lose attitude that
typifies secular conflict. For the sake of the Gospel, the Church should
spare no resource in providing assistance.

1.10.1.1—The Holy Scriptures (1 Cor. 6:17) urge Christians to settle
their differences by laying them before the “members of the brother-
hood.” Therefore, the Synod, in the spirit of 1 Cor. 6, calls upon ail par-
ties to a disagreement, accusation, controversy, or disciplinary action
to rely exclusively and fully on the Synod’s system of reconciliation

and conflict resolution. The use of the Synod’s conflict resolution pro- -

cedures shall be the exclusive and final remedy for those who are in dis-
pute. Fitness for ministry and other theological matters must be deter-
mined within the church. Parties are urged, in matters of a doctrinal
nature, to follow the procedures as outlined in Bylaw 1.8;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS Southern District encourage its mem-
bers to utilize the Synod’s dispute resolution process to resolve any
disagreements within the Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That the Southern District discourage its members
from utilizing lawsuits as a means of internal conflict resolution
among its members; and be it further

Resolved, That we learn to live with Christian grace, speak to
each other with verbal care (speaking the truth in love) and know
that the Holy Spirit will provide comfort and truth for all concerned
as we seek to do His will and remain faithful to His Word (Eph.
4:1-6); and be it finally

Resolved, That the Southern District memorialize the 2007
LCMS convention of the Synod to affirm the principles and en-
couragement contained in this resolution.

Southern District; North Circuit Forum, Southern Illinois District

8-08

To Not Turn to Civil Courts to Resolve Differences

WHEREAS, Conflict does and always will occur this side of eter-
nity; and
WHEREAS, Hard hearts make it difficult to resolve conflict; and

WHEREAS, Lawsuits have, on occasion, been brought by one
brother against another within our Synod when a decision was felt
to be wrong; and

WHEREAS, Actions within the Church should never be to gain
power and control (Matt. 20:25—28), but in seeking to be true to
God’s Word; and

WHEREAS, Our only weapon within the Church should be the
sword of the Word of God (Eph. 6:10—20); and

WHEREAS, Scripture states that brother should not go to court
against brother before those of the world, but rather judge among
themselves, even if it means that we suffer wrong (1 Cor. 6:1—11); and

WuEREAS, We cannot and should not attempt to force either

faith or actions, but simply trust that God alone can work faith and
obedience through His Word; therefore be it

Resolved, That we will not turn to civil courts to resolve our
differences, but work through the means that the Church has estab-
lished to judge our differences beginning with the guidance of our
Lord in Matt. 18:15-18; and be it further

Resolved, That we will use Scripture to determine the correct
actions and to work toward reconciliation.

Immanuel
Seward, NE

8-09

To Assert Lawsuit to Be Contrary to Scripture

WHEREAS, God has clearly stated in 1 Cor. 6 His intent that
brothers in the faith not enter into lawsuits against one another:

“If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the
ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do you not know
that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world,
are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we
will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if
you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of
little account in the church! I say this to shame you. Is it possible that
there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between be-
lievers? But instead, one brother goes to law against another—and this
in front of unbelievers! The very fact that you have lawsuits among you
means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be
wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and
do wrong, and you do this to your brothers” (1 Cor. 6:1-8, NIV);

and

WHEREAS, Some members of our Synod have initiated a law-
suit against our church and our elected leaders; and

WHEREAS, This lawsuit was filed without making, use of the
Synod’s dispute resolution process; and

WHEREAS, This is an unscriptural action for Christians, offends
many Christians, and detracts from the mission of the church; and

WHEREAS, There is deep concern for the spiritual well-being of
those individuals and congregations who have entered into this
lawsuit against the Synod; and

WHEREAS, It is reported that a proposed agreement has been
reached between the Synod and the plaintiffs that upon ratification
would result in the dismissal of the lawsuit; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2006 Texas District convention assert that
the class action lawsuit against our church is contrary to Scripture;
and be it further

Resolved, That out of Christian love we call the pastors and con-
gregations who are party to this lawsuit to repent of their error, ac-
cept and sign the proposed settlement, and truly “to keep the unity
of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, NIV); and
be it further

Resolved, That these fellow Christians utilize the Synod’s dis-
pute resolution process to resolve any disagreements in the Synod;
and be it further

Resolved, That while Christian repentance is desired, if no re-
pentance is forthcoming, the Texas District President is encouraged
to take appropriate actions for ecclesiastical supervision of mem-
bers of the Texas District; and be it finally

Resolved, That the 2006 Texas District convention petition the
2007 LCMS convention to do the same.

Texas District

8-10

To Decry Lawsuit and Encourage Use of Dispute
Resolution Process
WHEREAS, God has clearly stated in 1 Cor. 6 His intent that
brothers in the faith not enter into lawsuits against one another:
If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it be-
fore the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? Do

you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you
are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial