Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2026 · 69th Convention, Phoenix › Page 518
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 518

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

518

ECCLESIASTICAL SUPERVISION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Synod has historically used the term sexual
misconduct to describe a range of behaviors that, in cases involving
rostered workers, constitute sexual abuse because of the inherent
power imbalance in relationships where spiritual, educational, or
institutional authority are exercised; and the absence of precise
terminology has hindered appropriate accountability and
transparency in the ecclesiastical supervisory process; and
WHEREAS, Such abuse involves not only moral failure but also
the misuse of spiritual authority, which violates the trust inherent in
the Church’s ministry 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 Church’s 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, Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM) opinions,
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 be 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
and to ensure proper documentation, reporting, and closure; and be
it further
Resolved, That the Synod develop and maintain a publicly
accessible classification and designation, “Resigned Under
Ecclesiastical Investigation,” for all rostered workers who resign
before the completion of an investigation into allegations of sexual
misconduct/abuse; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod develop and maintain a publicly
accessible classification and designation, “Removed for Sexual
Abuse,” for all former rostered workers who are removed from the
roster due to substantiated allegations of sexual misconduct/abuse;
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
Commission on Handbook, and the CCM to make the supervisory
process more transparent for both the victim and the accused and to
emphasize pastoral care for victims, their families, and the

2026 Convention Workbook

congregations
impacted
by
rostered
workers
sexual
misconduct/abuse; 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 spiritual care, legal, and psychological
standards, and affirm that sexual misconduct by a rostered worker
constitutes sexual abuse by virtue of the authority entrusted by the
Church to her rostered workers; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod require all rostered workers and all
students preparing for ministry to receive regular education and
training in sexual abuse prevention, boundary awareness, and
appropriate spiritual care; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod call upon all district presidents to
prioritize the spiritual care of victims and those impacted by
rostered worker sexual abuse, ensuring that justice is pursued with
both transparency and compassion; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that those who hold the Office
of the Holy Ministry and offices auxiliary to it must live above
reproach; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm that the Church bears
responsibility to exercise faithful oversight for the sake of Christ’s
name and His beloved flock.
St. Paul
Manawa, WI
Ov. 10-31

To Certify Accuracy and Trustworthiness
of Call Documents
WHEREAS, The Synod Constitution states the following as
objectives of the Synod:
• to “provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for
pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers of
the Synod in the performance of their official duties” (Const.
Art. III 8); and
• to “provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers,
and other church workers in the performance of their official
duties and the maintenance of their rights” (Const. Art. III
9); and
• to “aid in providing for the welfare of pastors, teachers, and
other church workers, and their families in the event of
illness, disability, retirement, special need, or death” (Const.
Art. III 10);
and
WHEREAS, The Constitution defines membership in the Synod as
follows: “membership in the Synod is held and may be acquired by
congregations and individuals, ministers of religion—ordained and
ministers of religion—commissioned, of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church who confess and accept the confessional basis of Article II”
(Const. Art. V), and “all organized congregations that have joined
the Synod hold voting membership” (Const. Art. V A), and
“individual members of the Synod, who are nonvoting except for
those pastors exercising the vote of a member congregation and
installed to a member congregation, are the following: 1. Pastors,
ordained ministers, called and installed to a member congregation,”
etc. (Const. Art. V B; Const. Art V B 1); and
WHEREAS, The Constitution obligates the respective district
president, to “sign all examination papers and certificates of