To Define “Domineering in Office”

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) in its 2003 report Theology and Practice of “the Divine Call” includes another category for removal of office: “domineering in office” (Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod CTCR, Theology and Practice of“the Divine Call” [adopted 2003], 24–25); and

WHEREAS, In the minority report, it is noted that the phrase “domineering in office” is ambiguous and is left open to interpretation; and

WHEREAS, In the procedures of congregations when amending, or rewriting a constitution, and/or bylaw, state: “The Constitution Committee looks to see that the wording is clear, concise, and unambiguous”; and

WHEREAS, In the 2019 guidelines for writing a constitution now include that phase “domineering in office”; therefore be it

Resolved, That Concordia Seminary, Concordia Theological Seminary,andthe CTCRprovideaclear,concise,and unambiguous definition to the phrase “domineering in office”; and be it further

Resolved, That in the next Synod convention, deliberate that work and proposal by the seminaries and CTCR and furnish a more objective and clear understanding of that currently subjective and ambiguous phrase.