To Require Completion of Ecclesiastical Investigations and Strengthen Response to Clergy Sexual Misconduct/Abuse

Preamble This overture seeks to close a critical gap in the Synod’s current supervisory process regarding clergy sexual abuse. Under present bylaws, apastor under ecclesiastical investigation may resign at any time, there by halting the process and leaving the matter unresolved. Such resignation denies closure for the victims, weakens accountability,damages the Church’spublicwitness,and allows the possibility of further harm in future ministry contexts. By requiring completion of investigations even after resignation, establishing clear public designations, and introducing standardized terminology, and providing for preventive education, this overture aims to protect victims, preserve the integrity of the pastoral office, and strengthen the Church’s witness to the world.

WHEREAS, The Officeof 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, 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 roster ed 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 para church organizations without warning or consequence; and

WHEREAS, Victims, congregations, and the broader church are bestservedbyacompletedinvestigationthatspeaksthetruthinlove 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 forceincludeaminimumof 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 roster ed workers who resign before the completion of an investigation into credible allegations of misconduct; 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 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 roster ed 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.