RESOLUTION 12-13
Report R65 F (CW, p. 305-306 )
Rationale
Martin Luther addresses the meaning of the Eighth Commandment very directly and clearly when he says "We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.� This injunction is most important in our time, when the Internet, emails, blogs, texting, Twitter, fast self- collating copy machines, faxes, and otherwise helpful tools provide easy, readily available means for Eighth Commandment sin.
The church lives in this environment of Eighth Commandment sin, repentance, and reconciliation as she carries out all of her work-even as she resolves disputes among members of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). Because dispute resolution processes can be emotionally charged, and because members of the Synod are sinners as well as saints, hurtful things are said and done. Whether by way of written or verbal statement, or by photo, video, or other man-made image, communication reaches the point where people and reputations are harmed and they suffer decreased respect and/or injury to their reputation and good name, clearly sinful defamation has occurred. Defamation has absolutely no place among Christian people, the LCMS, or its dispute resolution process. Even if statements might be true, if they do not build up God's church and speak positively about others, they are sinful.
When defamation arises among parties in dispute resolution, it begs admonition by ecclesiastical supervisors, and if such admonition is futile, disciplinary action provided by the Synod's bylaws. The responsibility of ecclesiastical supervisors to undertake required action in cases of defamation is of paramount importance.
To bring the matter of defamation in the dispute resolution process to the attention of the Synod, and to attempt to prevent it in the future, the Bylaws of the Synod must address it where appropriate. Hopefully these proposed bylaw amendments will suggest a higher road for walking together in times of dispute and conflict. Therefore be it
Resolved, That the following amendments to the Bylaw sections 1.10 dispute resolution and 2.14 expulsion processes be adopted, the latter also to be applied to the section 2.15–2.17 processes as applicable.
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
(( See resolution for proposed wording ))