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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 507

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

ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

507

and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.14.7.1 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

Matthew 18:15 a nonpublic one done only in the presence of
individuals is a sin against them. Thus, as in the latter case,
reconciliation through apology is likewise necessary in the first
one—but [in this case] a public one.” (ibid., 389); and
WHEREAS, This distinction is not adequately maintained in the
current dispute resolution process of the Synod, but all sins are
treated as if they were private sins according to Bylaw 2.14.3 (c);
and
WHEREAS, The failure to deal with a public sin through public
church repentance gives the impression that the respective sin is
tolerated in the Church of God, thereby endangering souls who
support and persist in such a sin; therefore be it
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.14.3 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

and be it finally
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.14.10 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING

Consultation

General Regulations

2.14.3
When a member congregation or individual member of the
Synod is aware of information which could lead to the expulsion of
a member from the Synod under Article XIII of the Constitution,
prior to any formal written complaint or accusation the member shall
consult with his or her respective district president to seek advice
and also so that it can be determined whether this is the appropriate
bylaw procedure (Bylaw section 2.14) or whether the matter falls
under Bylaw sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17, or 1.8; Bylaws 3.10.5.7.9 or
3.10.6.9.6; or dispute resolution under Bylaw section 1.10. In regard
to this consultation:
…
(c) If Bylaw section 2.14 applies and the matter is a private
dispute between two individuals, the district president shall
ensure that the accuser has met face-to-face with the accused in
the manner described in Matthew 18:15. Even if the alleged
violation of Article XIII of the Constitution is considered to be
“public,” this provision of Matthew 18:15 shall be followed. The
reputation of all parties is to be protected as commanded in the
Eighth Commandment. However, if the matter is a public sin that
has caused scandal to an entire congregation, circuit, or district,
then the respective district president shall commence action
according to 1 Timothy 5:20 and Bylaw 2.14.4. In the case of
such a public sin or scandal, the stages of admonition for private
sin outlined in Matthew 18:15–16 shall not apply, as stated in the
Lutheran Confessions (LC I [Eighth Commandment] 284).
…

2.14.10
The district president of the accused/suspended member
and the district president of the accuser shall take those steps
necessary to attend to the spiritual needs of all those affected and
shall continue efforts to resolve those matters which led to the
commencement of the formal action against the accused member.
(a) In the case of a public sin involving an ordained or
commissioned minister who has promoted false doctrine or who
has introduced a practice contrary to Holy Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions, and has thereby scandalized a circuit,
district, or Synod, the respective district president shall issue a
public statement in cooperation with the President of Synod,
Council of Presidents, and the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations. The statement shall address how the false
doctrine or practice is not to be tolerated in the Church of God
and in the congregations of the Synod. Such statement shall be
issued through regular mail and through digital communication
(e-mail, the district newsletter, etc.).

and be it further
Resolved, That Bylaw 2.14.4 be amended as follows:
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Commencing an Action
2.14.4
Under this bylaw (Bylaw section 2.14) the district
president of the accused shall commence the following action when
he becomes aware of information or allegations that could lead to
expulsion of a member from the Synod under the provisions of
Article XIII of the Constitution. The district president may become
aware of such information by his own personal knowledge. Such
information or allegations may also be conveyed to him in a formal
written complaint or accusation made by a member of the Synod
who has carried out the above provision (Bylaw 2.14.3). In
commencing such action, the district president of the accused:
…
(b) Shall proceed in the manner described in Matthew 18:15–16
for private sins or 1 Timothy 5:20 for public sins as the required
admonition in Article XIII of the Constitution, if applicable,
continues to be carried out.
…

Hearing Panel
2.14.7.1
At the time that the request for hearing is made, the
suspending ecclesiastical supervisor shall forward to the Secretary
of the Synod the statement of the matter and a written memorandum
describing the manner in which there was compliance with the
guidelines provided in Matthew 18:15–16 or 1 Timothy 5:20,
“previous futile admonition” (Constitution Art. XIII 1), as well as all
of the provisions of Bylaws 2.14.3–2.14.6.1.

Mission of the Cross
Crosslake, MN
Ov. 10-13

To Replace Dispute Resolution Process with
Biblical, Workable, and Effective System for
Ecclesiastical Supervision
Preamble
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is united in a common
confession of Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions and is
called to maintain unity in doctrine and judgment while addressing
disputes in a fraternal and timely manner (1 Cor. 1:10; Matt. 5:24).
Such reconciliation serves both the Gospel and the well-being of the
church.
The current dispute resolution process, codified in Bylaw section
1.10, was established to resolve disputes within the church while
avoiding secular litigation. In practice, however, the process has
become lengthy, complex, and costly. Its extensive procedural
requirements and frequent reliance on in-person meetings can cause
disputes to take years to address, or to remain unresolved altogether.
When disputes concerning doctrine, practice, or church life are not
resolved in a timely and meaningful way, the unity of the church
suffers and confidence in ecclesiastical supervision is weakened. A
process that is difficult to use in practice does not adequately serve
congregations, pastors, or those charged with supervision.

2026 Convention Workbook