LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 261

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SYNOD STRUCTURE AND GOVERANCE 261

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 law-
suits 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);
and

Wrereas, A lawsuit has been initiated against our church body
and our elected leaders by members of our Synod suggesting that
not only our President and First Vice-President but also many
members of the Council of Presidents and district boards of direc-
tors (including by inference the president and board of directors of
the Eastern District) have conspired together to defraud the elec-
tion and voting process of our Synod; and

WHEREAS, The procedures for granting exceptions for circuit
representation followed by President Kieschnick were the same as
those followed by previous Synod presidents and are in accordance
with the LCMS Bylaws; and

WHEREAS, The filing of this lawsuit is not only an unscriptural
action, but also has required the use of Synod funds that could have
been better allocated for Gospel outreach and missions, and has
compelled our church body into an unhealthy and unnecessary in-
ward focus; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2006 convention of the Eastern District
decry the lawsuit against our church and its elected officials; and be
it further

Resolved, That those pastors and congregations who are plain-
tiffs be encouraged to remove themselves from the lawsuit
and begin to “build the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
(Eph. 4:12) as brothers in Christ Jesus; and be it further

Resolved, That these fellow Christians be encouraged to work
within our dispute resolution process to resolve any disagreements
they have with the decisions the majority of our delegates made in
the 2004 convention; and be it finally

Resolved, That the 2006 convention of the Eastern District peti-
tion the 2007 LCMS convention meeting in Houston to do the same.
Eastern District

8-11

To Affirm 2004 Res. 8-01A re Ecclesiastical Supervision

Wuereas, An expressed reason for stagnation in evangelistic
outreach and congregational membership growth in the LCMS as
cited by the Synod President’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on Funding
the Mission is “bickering and infighting”; and

Whereas, An ecclesiastical supervision methodology was

passed by a large margin at the 2004 convention of the LCMS
(Res. 8-01A); and

WHEREAS, This new supervisory structure has resulted in fewer
cases of cross-country doctrinal complaints; and

WHuerEAS, Complainants in doctrinal matters are advised in the
new structure to hold face-to-face meetings as per our Lord’s in-
structions in Matt. 18; and

WHEREAS, This process is proving both God-pleasing and pro-
ductive of greater harmony in the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Atlantic District in convention affirm eccle-
siastical supervision as codified in convention Res. 8-01A (2004)
and its subsequent bylaw applications; and be it further

Resolved, That the Atlantic District forward this resolution of
affirmation to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as an over-
ture for the 2007 Synod convention.

Atlantic District

8-12

To Affirm LCMS Process for Dispute Resolution
and Expulsion from Synod

Wuereas, Bylaw 1.10 (previously chapter 8), in existence since
1992, and Bylaw 2.13 (previously 2.27) have included the require-
ment of following “Matthew 18:15 as procedure when addressing
expulsion from membership in the Synod and dispute resolution”
(2004 Convention Proceedings, p. 42); and

WHEREAS, The provisions for dispute resolution and expulsion
adopted by the 2004 Synod convention in no way prohibit dealing
with public sin and admonition in other circumstances according
to the explanation of the Eighth Commandment in the Large Cate-
chism (2004 Convention Proceedings, p. 42); and

WHEREAS, The provisions in Res. 8-01A adopted by the 2004
LCMS convention describe a process for the removal from office
of the Synod President other than by the Synod meeting in con-
vention; and

WHEREAS, The practice of “face-to-face” meetings (Matt.
18:15-17) in these procedures reflect a faithfulness to Scripture and
desire for fraternal and evangelical relations among members of
Synod (2004 Convention Proceedings, p. 42); therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2006 Eastern District convention affirm the
dispute resolution and expulsion from membership processes
agreed to by the 2004 convention; and be it further

Resolved, That we thank God for the institution of a more bibli-
cal process for dispute resolution; and be it finally

Resolved, That the 2006 Eastern District convention petition the
2007 LCMS convention to affirm our current process for dispute
resolution and expulsion from membership.

Eastern District

8-13

To Affirm Process for Dispute
Resolution and Expulsion

Whereas, The Synod has included in its objectives, under
Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, to “[p]rovide evangelical
supervision, counsel, and care for pastors, teachers, and other pro-
fessional church workers in the performance of their official du-
ties” and to “[p]rovide protection for congregations, pastors, teach-
ers, and other church workers in the performance of their official
duties and the maintenance of their rights” (Art. III 8, 9); and

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has identified those re-
sponsible for ecclesiastical supervision of its members, including
such matters as advice, counsel, and protection, as well as suspen-
sion of membership and forfeiture of it for failure to continue to
meet membership requirements; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has established a process whereby those
responsible for ecclesiastical supervision are elected by both the
laity and clergy of the church, giving voice to the priesthood of all
believers in this ecclesiastical process; and

WuereaS, Those who are responsible for ecclesiastical super-
vision are accountable to those who have granted them this charge
to faithfully carry out their assigned duties, which duties should not
be assumed by those who have not been granted this responsibility;
and

WHEREAS, For the protection of the rights of its members, the
Synod has established provisions for challenging those decisions
by ecclesiastical supervisors that result in suspension or loss of
membership and for restoration of membership when necessary
conditions are met; and

Wuereas, The Synod in convention adopted 2004 Res. 8-01A,
establishing procedures for ecclesiastical supervision and dispute
resolution consistent with the objectives of the Synod regarding the
evangelical supervision and protection of its workers; and

Whereas, A “face-to-face” meeting, as adopted in the proce-
dures in 2004 Res. 8-01A, does not preclude one from exercising