LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 110

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110

SYNOD REPORTS

“commence a thorough evaluation of the SMP program,” his “deepest concern” being the need by the Synod to “be very deliberate about
the nature, size, and growth of this program” lest it “jeopardize residential seminary education altogether and severely compromise
the integrity of the ministerium of the LCMS in the long term.” I
was pleased to work with Rev. Randall Golter (then-President of the
Rocky Mountain District) and Rev. Timothy Mech (parish pastor from
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, with experience with the SMP program). Our
report, printed elsewhere in this Convention Workbook, is the product of numerous interviews with SMP faculty, staff, mentors, and
students; extensive reading of recommended books and articles; the
research provided by the current SMP Committee in a 2012 white
paper, and the ready and able assistance of Rev. Dr. Glen Thomas of
the Synod’s Office of Pastoral Education.
Assignment by 2010 Convention

The 2010 convention, in response to Overture 7-17 “To Consider
Adding Time Limitations to Dispute Resolution Process” submitted
by the Northern Illinois District, resolved “That the Secretary of the
Synod be directed to study this issue in consultation with the Council
of Presidents and report to the next convention of the Synod, making
any recommendations which would address this situation and improve
the dispute resolution process” (2010 Res. 7-08).
The issue in question, stated in the “Whereas” paragraphs of the
resolution: that the “present process [for dispute resolution] does not
require either side in a dispute to initiate the formal process of dispute resolution within a specific time frame, thus possibly placing the
potential respondent in a position of never knowing if the dispute has
been resolved or if action may be taken at some undetermined date
in the future,” also adding: “Delays in resolving disputes can inflict
harm upon individuals and organizations.”
As required, this issue and a proposed recommendation to the
2013 convention were discussed with the Council of Presidents in
light of Matthew 5:23–25 (“So if you are offering your gift at the altar
and there remember your brother has something against you, leave
your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your
brother, and then come and offer your gift”) and Ephesians 4:25–27
(“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak
the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be
angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and
give no opportunity to the devil”).
It was agreed that delaying reconciliation between fellow
Christians is a serious matter. Possible required time frames for initiating efforts at dispute resolution (e.g., two years, five years) and
other requirements were discussed, but such approaches to the matter
were also recognized to be open to abuse, questionable in light of the
urgency advocated in the Scriptures, and might also provide a way to
avoid using the Synod’s dispute resolution process. At the same time,
there was agreement that something more should be included in the
Synod’s governing documents regarding such urgency.
After such consultation with the Council of Presidents, and given
the provision of 2010 Res. 7-08 that I “report to the next convention
of the Synod, making any recommendations which would address
this situation and improve the dispute resolution process,” I offer the
following suggested addition to the dispute-resolution bylaws of the
Synod to underscore the urgency of becoming reconciled, also providing a bylaw resource for district presidents to use when consulting
with accusing parties in the initial consultation phase of dispute resolution (with possible application also to other dispute processes of
the Synod):
1.10.1.1
The Holy Scriptures (Matt. 5:23–25; Eph. 4:25–27) urge
Christians to settle their differences as soon as they occur, accuser
and accused speaking the truth and reconciling their faults. To do
otherwise is to give opportunity to the devil and allow sin to reign in

2013 Convention Workbook

their hearts (Rom. 6:12). Reconciliation of a grievance with a fellow
Christian must be a first and immediate priority for every Christian,
“for we are members one of another” (Eph. 4:25).
1.10.1.2
1.10.1.1 When Christians are unable to settle their differences “between you and him alone” (Matt. 18:15) as soon as they
occur, the The Holy Scriptures (1 Cor. 6:1–7) urge Christians to
settle their differences “quickly” (Matt. 5:25) by laying them before
…”
In Summary

I have appreciated very much this opportunity again to serve our
Synod as its Secretary for these past three years. Such service is quite
different from what I thought I would be doing as a pastor when I first
entered the ministry, but it offers unique challenges to keep things
interesting every day—in addition to the great privilege of service in
our Lord’s kingdom. For all of this, I am thankful.
Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary
R6-03

Board of Directors
The Constitution of the Synod is quite clear in conveying the
responsibility and authority the Synod gives to the Board of Directors:
The Board of Directors is the legal representative of the Synod. It
is the custodian of all of the property of the Synod, directly or by its
delegation of such authority to an agency of the Synod. It shall exercise
supervision over all the property and business affairs of the Synod except in those areas where it has delegated such authority to an agency
of the Synod or where the voting members of the Synod through the
adoption of bylaws or other convention action have assigned specific
areas of responsibility to separate corporate trust entities, and as to those
the Board of Directors shall have general oversight responsibility as set
forth in the Bylaws. (Constitution, Art. XI E 2)

Legal, property, and business matters are included in its responsibility and have been given attention throughout the past triennium.
New Structure

The delegates to the 2010 convention of the Synod adopted a massive change in structure of/for the Synod. Under the capable efforts of
President Matthew Harrison, his staff, other officers, executives, and
all employees, the changes were initiated in 2011 and were almost
all completed by early in 2012. These workers of the LCMS put forth
an inordinate amount of time and energy to accomplish this in a relatively short period of time. This put budget planning, personnel shifts,
responsibilities, and relationships into continuous flux and adjustment. This adjustment continues even to the present as the work of
the Synod moves forward. As the new triennium approaches, more
attention can be given to operation and less to adjustment.
New Positions and Personnel

The new structure of the Synod called for reorganization under
National Missions and International Missions. Subsequently, Chaplain
Gregory Williamson was called as the Synod’s Chief Mission Officer
in early 2012. Additionally, the Board of Directors has been able to
welcome and work with the Rev. Bart Day, executive director of the
Office of National Mission and the Rev. Randall Golter, executive
director of the Office of International Mission. With new leadership
positions being filled, the work of the Synod moves forward under
the theme of Witness, Mercy, Life Together.
Financial Condition of the Synod

Rather than go into detail, I would merely refer the reader to the
report of the Chief Financial Officer of the Synod. Please note especially that the unrestricted budget for 2012–13 is about $19 million