Delegates to the 2007 Synod convention adopted separate resolutions that aim to resolve conflicts between the Synod Board of Directors and the Commission on Constitutional Matters (CCM), and that affirm the Synod’s dispute-resolution process.
To resolve conflicts between the Board and the Commission, the delegation adopted Res. 8-01, containing carefully worded amendments to the Synod’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws aimed at facilitating resolution of conflicts of authority between the the Board and CCM — several of which have arisen in recent years.
The amendments resulted from Res. 7-02A, which was adopted by delegates to the 2004 convention to amend the Synod’s governing documents in an effort to avoid conflicts of authority. That earlier resolution also mandated appointment of a study group known as the “Resolution 7-02A Committee” to jointly address the matter and make its recommendations to this year’s convention.
The 7-02A Committee considered the points of view of many Synod leaders and governing documents, Dr. Lane Seitz, chairman of 2007 convention Floor Committee 8 for Structure and Governance, told the delegates. He noted that legal counsel reviewed the proposal and that the Res. 7-02A Committee report had received “widespread support since it was made public” this past spring.
The committee sought to clarify whether the Board’s authority granted in certain Synod Bylaws conflicts with the laws of the State of Missouri; and whether the CCM or the Board has the authority to decide — when or if there is disagreement — where certain boundaries of authority begin and end.
The other adopted resolution (8-02A) calls on Synod members to honor their commitments to use the Synod’s dispute-resolution process, quoted in its Bylaws, which say the process is “the exclusive and final remedy” to resolve disputes, conflicts, disagreements, or offenses within the Synod.
“This resolution calls on us to honor Bylaws already in place,” said Rev. Dan P. Gilbert, co-chair of Committee 8 and LCMS Northern Illinois District president.
The resolution cites 1 Cor. 6, noting that “brothers and sisters in the faith not enter into lawsuits against one another.”
Posted Aug. 3, 2007
