To Clarify Prior Approval Process and Provide Appropriate Transparency

Preamble Since the 2013 Synod convention, appointments to theological faculties at all universities and seminaries, as well as all college, university, and seminary presidential appointments, have been subject to the prior approval process. While the 2013 Synod convention amended the Bylaws to delegate the responsibility for prior approval to specific groups (as referenced below) the Bylaws did not, and still do not, stipulate how the process of prior approval should be carried out. Over time this has led to questions as to the standards used to evaluate candidates as well as the process used by the prior approval panels. In the hopes of building trust and relieving any undue criticism of the panels and the process, the following overture aims to increase transparency for the process and standards used by the panels as well as ensuring clear communication between the panels, the candidates, and the Synod.

WHEREAS, One of the expressed purposes of the Synod is to “recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth” (Const. Art. III 3); and

WHEREAS, The Synod has the responsibility to oversee that training; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has designated that responsibility to the prior approval panels outlined in various bylaws (Bylaws 3.6.6.1; 3.10.5.7.3; 3.10.6.8.2; 3.10.6.9.2); and

WHEREAS, Those panels not only have responsibility to work on behalf of the Synod but are also responsible to the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Those under consideration for theological professorships and other positions requiring prior approval have ordinarily been ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry or have been commissioned and/or consecrated into an auxiliary office of the Church; and

WHEREAS, Those under consideration for aforementioned positions have also been examined and approved for service on the roster of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Those individual members of the Synod have, by virtue of their membership in the Synod, agreed to the confessional basis as outlined in Constitution Article II, as well as recognized and affirmed the validity of Bylaw sections 1.6–1.8; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks to the Lord of the Church for using the Synod and its agencies to preserve and enlarge the workers of the harvest, and for those involved in the various prior approval processes for being engaged in difficult and important work; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention require that the process used by the various panels to carry out the responsibility entrusted to them by the Synod be made transparent and publicly available;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod in convention stipulate that, unless those under consideration by the prior approval panels are found to be in violation of their ordination, commissioning, consecration, or installation vows, their approval be assumed; and be it further

Resolved,Thatthe Synod in convention stipulate that,should one under consideration be thought to be in violation, the candidate be given every opportunity to clarify their position to the panel; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod in convention stipulate that, if such a violation be found, the panel would, with the appropriate district president as that individual’secclesiastical supervisor, engage in the appropriate processes to restore the erring brother or sister so that one deemed unworthy to teach at one of the Synod’s institutions would not be permitted to remain on the roster or serve a congregation and thus lead that congregation to err or become out of step with the Synod.