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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 502

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

502

ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Resolved, That the Oklahoma District address its church workers
and laity who use social media accounts to create strife and division
in violation of the Eighth Commandment and call them to repent of
their actions and sins; and be it further
Resolved, That the district call its church workers and laity to
remove posts in violation of the Eighth Commandment and those
who operate anonymous accounts to delete the anonymous account
as a sign of repentance; and be it further
Resolved, That the district call on those who operate social media
accounts to create strife and division to seek private Confession and
Absolution so they can hear the pure Gospel in light of their
repentance; and be it finally
Resolved, That the district memorialize the Synod to pass this
resolution in convention in 2026.
Oklahoma District
Ov. 10-04

To Request Theological and Pastoral Statement
and Bylaw Review regarding Social Media,
Partisan Media, and Eighth Commandment
in Ecclesiastical Proceedings
WHEREAS, The Eighth Commandment forbids bearing false
witness against our neighbor and commands that we defend him,
speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way; and
WHEREAS, Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment in
the Small and Large Catechisms warns against gossip and slander
and calls for appropriate, orderly channels when confronting sin;
and
WHEREAS, Our Lord’s words in Matthew 18:15–20 provide a
pattern for addressing sin first privately, then with one or two
witnesses, and finally, if needed, before the Church; and
WHEREAS, In our time, social media, blogs, podcasts, and other
informal online platforms provide unprecedented means to spread
accusations, insinuations, and commentary about pastors and
congregations, often without accountability and without following
the Lord’s pattern; and
WHEREAS, While legitimate concerns sometimes come to light
through such channels, the Church must take great care lest
unverified, anonymous, or partisan online content be treated as the
equivalent of properly received testimony in ecclesiastical
proceedings; and
WHEREAS, There is growing concern in the Synod that highly
partisan or coordinated online campaigns can exert undue pressure
on ecclesiastical supervisors and shape outcomes in ways that are
not conducive to sober, evangelical judgment; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod direct the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations (CTCR), in consultation with the Council of
Presidents, to prepare a theological and pastoral statement
addressing:
• the Eighth Commandment in the digital age;
• the proper handling of accusations against pastors and
congregations;
• the appropriate and inappropriate uses of social media,
blogs, podcasts, and similar media in relation to
ecclesiastical supervision and discipline; and

2026 Convention Workbook

the distinction between information that may prompt
investigation and evidence that may justly be used in
reaching judgments;
and be it further
Resolved, That the CTCR statement include guidance on:
• the dangers of anonymous or pseudonymous attacks;
• the responsibility of Christians to refrain from sharing
unverified accusations; and
• the need for church leaders to resist allowing online outrage
or partisan media pressure to drive disciplinary decisions;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Commission on Handbook, in light of such a
statement, be requested to review and, where appropriate, propose
bylaw language or official guidelines making clear that:
• anonymous or partisan online content may be a prompt for
further inquiry but may not be treated as inherently reliable
evidence;
• ecclesiastical investigations must seek firsthand testimony
and properly documented facts; and
• decisions in disciplinary cases are to be based on evidence
gathered through appropriate, churchly procedures, not on
the volume or intensity of online commentary;
and be it further
Resolved, That districts be encouraged to provide teaching
resources for congregations on the Eighth Commandment and
digital communication, to help members understand how to use
social media in a manner befitting Christians; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod encourage all pastors and laypeople to
commit themselves anew to guarding their tongues and keyboards,
that we may “speak the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15) and avoid harming
Christ’s flock through uncharitable or disorderly speech.
•

Our Savior, Arlington, VA; St. John’s, Alexandria, VA;
Trinity, Lexington Park, MD;
Circuit 8 (Washington, South), Southeastern District
Ov. 10-05

To Uphold Eighth Commandment in Digital
Communication and Ecclesiastical Proceedings
WHEREAS, The Eighth Commandment forbids bearing false
witness against our neighbor and commands that we “defend him,
speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way” (SC
I, Eighth Commandment); and
WHEREAS, Luther’s explanation of the Eighth Commandment in
the Small and Large Catechisms warns against gossip and slander
and calls for appropriate, orderly channels when confronting sin;
and
WHEREAS, Our Lord’s words in Matthew 18:15–20 provide a
pattern of addressing sin first privately, then with one or two
witnesses, and finally, if needed, before the Church; and
WHEREAS, In our time, social media, blogs, podcasts, and other
informal online platforms provide unprecedented means to spread
accusations, insinuations, and commentary about pastors and
congregations, often without accountability and without following
the Lord’s pattern; and
WHEREAS, While legitimate concerns sometimes come to light
through such channels, the Church must take great care lest