LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 219

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

10. ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

To Speak to Spiritual Care
of Victims of Sexual Misconduct
by Individual Members of the Synod
RESOLUTION 10-05A
Overture 10-10 (CW, 406)
Whereas, The sin of sexual misconduct is an ongoing and
serious concern, particularly when allegedly committed by an
individual member (rostered worker) of the Synod; and
Whereas, The Synod takes all accusations of sexual
misconduct alleged against individual members of the Synod
seriously; and
Whereas, The Synod also seeks to provide guidance and
support for those who would provide spiritual care for both
the victims and members of the Synod within Christian love
and care; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Council of Presidents work diligently
with legal counsel and an external group of both women and
men, who are well-versed in the field of sexual misconduct,
and be encouraged to include victims of sexual misconduct, to
evaluate, review, and develop advisory procedures and
guidelines to address the spiritual needs of both the victims
and the individual members of the Synod.
Action: Adopted (4)

Upon immediate closure of debate, as suggested by the chair, the
resolution was adopted by voice vote.

To Amend Bylaw 2.11.2.2
regarding Candidate Status
RESOLUTION 10-06
Overture 10-06 (CW, 404–5)
WHEREAS, Candidates are valuable members of the Synod,
and having such members automatically removed from the
roster would be a detriment both to the members and to the
Synod, especially when there are more congregations
requesting a candidate from the seminary than there are
seminary candidates available; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has a duty out of Christian love and
charity to care for and support these valued members; and
WHEREAS, Candidates are currently required to file an
annual report with their district president by Jan. 31, which
leads to inactive—candidate status letters being exchanged
around Christmas, a busy time for members and district

Resolutions

presidents alike; while a summertime reporting period will
provide more time for a thoughtful exchange; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.11.2.2 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Candidate
2.11.2.2
A “candidate” member is one who is eligible to
perform the duties of any of the offices of ministry specified
in Bylaw section 2.11 but who is not currently an active
member or an emeritus member.
(a) A candidate may be continued on the roster for a
period not to exceed ten years by act of the president of
the district through which the person holds
membership. A candidate may be further continued on
the roster for a periods not to exceed of five additional
years at a time upon recommendation of the applicant’s
district president and approval of three fourths (75%) of
the Council of Presidents.
(b) While a member is a candidate, the district
president shall minister to that member either directly
or through others, concern himself with the spiritual
well-being of that member, and continue efforts to
return that member to active service.
(bc) The candidate shall, by January July 31, make an
annual report to the district president who shall
determine the member’s eligibility to remain on
candidate status. The candidate’s report shall include
current contact information and address the criteria for
remaining on candidate status.
(cd) The district president shall determine whether or
not to grant or, upon annual review, continue candidate
status based on the following criteria:
(1) The member’s health;
(2) The member’s efforts to address any unresolved
issues involving fitness for ministry;
(3) The member’s current involvement in ministry;
and
(4) The member’s written statement addressing any
impediments to consideration and acceptance of a call
to any of the offices of ministry specified in Bylaw
section 2.11; and
(5) The member’s cooperation in keeping personnel
documents up to date.
Action: Adopted (8)

An amendment was declined, to replace the proposed Bylaw
2.11.2.2 (a) with the following: “(a) A candidate may be
continued on the roster by act of the president of the district
through which the person holds membership.” The chair
proceeded to a voice vote on the resolution, which was adopted.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 219