LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 222

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31–32). 1992 Res. 5-02A (Proceedings, pp. 144–147) adapted that provision to the new
dispute resolution framework (1992 Bylaw 2.27, Handbook, pp. 30–31). Finally, 2004 Res.
8-01A (Proceedings, pp. 165–184) removed the bylaw provision for the Praesidium to act
when a district president would not instead allowing an accuser, in case of district president
inaction, to request formation of a Referral Panel, which request the district president must
grant (2004 Bylaws 2.14.5­–2.14.5.3, Handbook, p. 66). With none of these changes did the
convention speak as to the constitutionality of the pre-1989 provision, by which the President of Synod had authority to initiate proceedings in case of a district president’s inaction.
On that matter, the constitutional interpretation of the 1956 convention stands.
7.
CCM Op. 02-2283, 21–22 Oct. 2002, argues similarly, regarding a vice-president acting for
the President of the Synod to suspend, reading in part:

The officer of the Synod who is required to conclude whether the facts form a basis for
expulsion from the Synod under Bylaw 2.27 c is not granted the authority of the President
of the Synod. The dispute resolution process commenced under Bylaw 2.27 designates the
individual who is to make the decision required by Bylaw 2.27 c. The individual initially
designated to make that choice is the President. If the President is a party to the matter in
dispute, has a conflict of interest, or is unable to act, the First Vice-President or the next
qualified synodical officer is designated to undertake the task. Such officer is not granted
the authority of the President to see to it that the resolutions of the Synod are carried out.
Rather, his authority has as its source Bylaw 2.27.
The responsibility of the officer who carries out the provisions of Bylaw 2.27 (c) is to determine whether the accused member of the Synod has engaged in conduct which Article XIII
of the Constitution states to be the basis for expulsion from the Synod: “Members who act
contrary to the confession laid down in Article II and to the conditions of membership laid
down in Article VI or persist in an offensive conduct shall, after previous futile admonition,
be expelled from the Synod.”

Action: Postponed Indefinitely (4)
(After Res. 12-01A was introduced in Session 3, a motion was
introduced during discussion to refer the resolution to the Council of Presidents for further study. After discussion of the motion
to refer, a motion to end debate on the motion was carried but the
motion to refer failed to carry [Yes: 495; No: 599]. Discussion of Res.
12-01A continued until a motion “to delay action until tomorrow”
was introduced and discussed. A motion to end debate was carried, but the motion to delay action failed [Yes: 521; No: 542]. The
chair called the Orders of the Day. Near the beginning of Session
7, the committee introduced new Res. 12-14, intended to take the
place of Res. 12-01A. Following the adoption of Res. 12-14, the committee introduced a motion to “postpone indefinitely” any action
on Res. 12-01A, which met with no objection from the assembly.)

To Encourage Calling Church Workers
on Candidate Status
RESOLUTION 12-02A
Overtures 12-03–04, 12-06, 12-09 (CW, pp. 416–418)
Whereas, There are ordained and commissioned church workers on candidate status, that is, rostered church workers without
calls but who are available for calls and service to the church; and
Whereas, The Synod wishes to be diligent in its care for these
workers and their families; and
Whereas, The Synod desires to be a good steward of these gifts
from God; and
Whereas, District presidents are charged with ecclesiastical
supervision, which “includes visitation, evangelical encouragement and support, care, protection, [and] counsel” (Bylaw 1.2.1
[i]) of the rostered church workers in their districts; and
Whereas, The congregation has the sole authority to call workers; therefore be it
Resolved, That district presidents continue to provide pastoral
care for these workers and their families; and be it further
Resolved, That district presidents regularly report to their
vice-presidents and circuit visitors their efforts to provide such
pastoral care; and be it further
Resolved, That district presidents publish annually in a district
publication the names of these candidates; and be it further
Resolved, That district presidents shall report annually to the
Council of Presidents the names of all the ordained ministers of
religion on candidate status in each district and shall review with
the full Council of Presidents his efforts to help these men either to
be prepared and available for a call or understand the need to seek
another vocation; and be it further
Resolved, That as part of this review process, district presidents
shall report annually to the Council of Presidents the names of candidates who are prepared and available for a call; and be it further
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be directed at each of
its regular meetings to review in the above manner at least 25% of
the list of ordained ministers of religion on candidate status so that
at minimum each man’s situation is thoroughly reviewed by the
Council annually; and be it further
Resolved, That district presidents or their representatives shall
visit annually with each ordained worker on candidate status to
review his situation in a pastoral manner; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod’s Chief Mission Officer and Executive
Director of Pastoral Education explore with the leadership of the
seminaries and the Council of Presidents the possible development
of programs at both seminaries that would help willing candidates
be better prepared to re-enter active ministry; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations that have requested but have not
received graduating seminary candidates for ordination be encour-

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U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

“12. Ecclesiastical Supervision and Dispute Resolution”