Res. 10-03 — To Respond to Sexual Misconduct by Rostered Workers and Make Provision for Spiritual Care of Those Affected

WHEREAS, God establishes the Office of the Holy Ministry for the care of His people (John 20:21– 23; 1 Tim. 3:1–7; Titus 1:5–9), and those who serve in this office are called to lives that are “above reproach” (1 Tim. 3:2); and

WHEREAS, Offices auxiliary to the Office of the Holy Ministry have been established by the church and entrusted to fallible men and women who must remain above reproach for the sake of Christ’s Church; and

WHEREAS, The Synod, in seeking to be faithful to these vocations, has established a process of ecclesiastical supervision for the oversight and discipline of church workers; and

WHEREAS, The Synod uses the term sexual misconduct to describe a range of sinful behaviors reflecting an ungodly life (Constitution Article XII 8) that gives offense to the victims, the congregation or institution, all affected individuals, and the church’s witness to the world (cf. “offensive conduct,” Const. Art. XIII 1); and

WHEREAS, A member accused of such an ungodly life or a giving of offense may resign from the roster at any time, removing himself or herself from ecclesiastical supervision; and

WHEREAS, The need for spiritual care continues for all involved in an instance of sexual misconduct, regardless of the roster status of the accused; and

WHEREAS, Member congregations, schools, or other calling bodies are required to consult with their district president before issuing a call (Bylaw 2.5.1) and may not issue a call to a worker who has resigned or been removed from the roster (Bylaws 2.5.2–3); workers who have resigned or been removed from the roster are no longer commended by the Synod for ministry; and member congregations, schools, or other calling bodies considering being served (without a call) by an individual who may have resigned or been removed from the roster may also contact their district president for counsel;

therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Chairman of the Council of Presidents (COP) to appoint a task force to continue the work assigned by 2023 Resolution 10- 05A, “To Speak to Spiritual Care of Victims of Sexual Misconduct by Individual Members of the Synod” (Proc., 219); and be it further

Resolved, That the task force be comprised of no more than six individuals, including:

• the Secretary of Synod or his designee;

• the Synod’s legal counsel;

• a member of the COP;

• a female commissioned minister;

• female lay representation, giving special consideration to victims of rostered worker sexual misconduct or experienced therapy professionals in this field;

and be it further

Resolved, That this t ask force be encouraged to seek the input of outside consultants with expertise in sexual misconduct issues and the testimony of victims of rostered worker sexual misconduct; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force will:

• review current bylaws, manuals, procedures, and opinions from the Commission on Constitutional Matters pertaining to sexual misconduct;

• recommend revisions, if any, to applicable bylaws regarding cases of sexual misconduct;

• contribute to continued refinement of advisory procedures and guidelines for ecclesiastical supervisors ;

• recommend resources to congregations and institutions to address the spiritual needs of the victims, the accused, the congregation(s) or institution(s) involved, and all affected individuals; and

• recommend resources and encourage training of all rostered workers and of those preparing for church work vocations in sexual misconduct awareness and prevention; and be i t further

Resolved, That the task force report recommendations to the 2029 Synod convention; and be it finally

Resolved, That in cases of alleged sexual misconduct, regardless of the roster status of the accused, the d istrict president will assess the spiritual needs and make provision for the spiritual care of the victims, the accused, the congregation(s) or institution(s) involved, and all affected individuals.