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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 517

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

ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Synod, in seeking to be faithful to this high
calling, has established ecclesiastical supervisory structures for the
oversight and discipline of church workers; and
WHEREAS, Allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment,
assault, or other forms of pastoral boundary violations demand
serious investigation and just resolution for the sake of the Gospel,
the victims, and the Church’s witness to the world; and
WHEREAS, The Synod has historically used the term sexual
misconduct to describe a range of behaviors that, in cases involving
pastors or other church workers, constitute sexual abuse because of
the inherent power imbalance in relationships where spiritual,
educational, or institutional authority is exercised; and the absence
of precise terminology has hindered appropriate accountability and
transparency in ecclesiastical proceedings; and
WHEREAS, Such abuse involves not only moral failure but also
the misuse of spiritual authority, which violates the trust inherent in
the pastoral office and inflicts deep spiritual, emotional, and
psychological harm on victims; and
WHEREAS, Current practice allows a rostered worker to resign at
any point during an ecclesiastical investigation, effectively halting
the process and leaving the matter unresolved; and
WHEREAS, Such resignation may enable a person credibly
accused of abuse or other disqualifying sin to avoid accountability,
obscure the nature of the resignation, and attach themselves to other
ministries or parachurch organizations without warning or
consequence; and
WHEREAS, Victims, congregations, and the broader church are
best served by a completed investigation that speaks the truth in love
and justice (Eph. 4:15; Micah 6:8); and
WHEREAS, There is currently no mechanism to publicly identify
those who have resigned while under ecclesiastical investigation,
potentially putting others at risk and undermining confidence in the
integrity of the Office of the Holy Ministry; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod direct the chairman of the Council of
Presidents to appoint a task force to review current bylaws,
manuals, opinions from the Commission on Constitutional Matters
(CCM), and procedures for addressing sexual misconduct, with the
purpose of clarifying and revising applicable bylaws and
supervisory procedures so that ecclesiastical investigations of
alleged misconduct or abuse is completed even if the accused
resigns from the roster; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force include a minimum of three women
as members so that all potential victims are represented throughout
the review and revision process; and be it further
Resolved, That district presidents be directed and empowered, as
those entrusted with ecclesiastical supervision, to carry forward all
such investigations to completion regardless of resignation status,
ensuring proper documentation, reporting, and closure; and be it
further
Resolved, That the Synod develop and maintain a publicly
accessible classification or designation (e.g., Resigned Under
Ecclesiastical Investigation) for all rostered workers who resign
before the completion of an investigation into credible allegations
of misconduct or if a rostered worker is removed due to a
substantiated allegation of clergy sexual abuse; and that it be
reported publicly; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force, if deemed appropriate, revise
Bylaw section 2.17 in consultation with the Secretary of Synod, the

517

Commission on Handbook, and the CCM to make the process more
transparent for both the victim and the accused, and to emphasize
pastoral care for victims, their families, and the congregations
impacted by sexual misconduct; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod define and distinguish the terms sexual
abuse, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and sexual assault in
alignment with recognized pastoral care, legal, and psychological
standards, and affirm that clergy sexual misconduct constitutes
sexual abuse by virtue of the authority entrusted to the pastoral
office; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod require all rostered workers and all
students preparing for the ministry to receive regular education and
training in clergy-sexual-abuse prevention, boundary awareness,
and appropriate pastoral care; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod call upon all district presidents to
prioritize the pastoral care of victims and those impacted by clergy
sexual abuse, ensuring that justice is pursued with both transparency
and compassion; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that those who hold the Office
of the Ministry must live above reproach, and that the Church bears
responsibility to exercise faithful oversight for the sake of Christ’s
name and His beloved flock.
St. Paul, Fremont, WI; Woodbury, Woodbury, MN
Ov. 10-30

To Require Completion of Ecclesiastical
Investigations and Strengthen Response to Sexual
Misconduct/Abuse by Rostered Church Workers
Preamble
This overture seeks to close a critical gap in the Synod’s current
supervisory process regarding sexual abuse. Under present bylaws,
a minister of religion—ordained and commissioned (rostered
worker) under ecclesiastical investigation may resign at any time,
thereby halting the process and leaving the matter unresolved. Such
resignation denies closure for the victims, weakens accountability,
damages the Church’s public witness, and allows the possibility of
further harm in future ministry contexts.
By requiring completion of investigations even after resignation,
establishing clear public designations, introducing standardized
terminology, and providing for preventive education, this overture
aims to protect victims, preserve the integrity of the Church’s
ministry, and strengthen the Church’s witness to the world.
WHEREAS, The Office of the Holy Ministry is established by God
(Jer. 3:15; 1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9) and entrusted to fallible men
who must remain above reproach for the sake of Christ’s Church;
and
WHEREAS, Auxiliary offices to the Office of the Holy Ministry
have been established by the Church and entrusted to fallible men
and women who must remain above reproach for the sake of
Christ’s Church; and
WHEREAS, The Synod, in seeking to be faithful to this high
calling, has established ecclesiastical supervisory structures for the
oversight and discipline of rostered workers; and
WHEREAS, Allegations of sexual misconduct, harassment,
assault, or other forms of boundary violations by rostered workers
demand serious investigation and just resolution for the sake of the
Gospel, the victims, and the Church’s witness to the world; and
2026 Convention Workbook