Resolving Disputes Among Us

From our founding, the Association of Confessing Evangelical Lutheran Congregations has been concerned with issues of Ecclesiastical Supervision and the current process for Dispute Resolution stipulated in our synodical bylaws. In the past year, we have seen several (of what we will call) high profile cases of false teaching, bad practice, and moral failure. Each has been addressed differently, which is to be expected. However, it is our view that often the response is wanting, largely because of a system that is wanting.

The number of overtures submitted to the 2026 Synodical Convention on these topics suggests that our church body at large is recognizing that a problem exists. Increasing technology and the emergence of real time, easily accessible information is only exacerbating the need for reform of our current system.

The executive board of the ACELC believes that addressing these issues would bring about meaningful changes in our church body. With that in mind we had sent a letter detailing our concerns and proposing several reforms aimed at strengthening ecclesiastical supervision to the members of the LCMS Praesidium and Council of Presidents. We also commend to you a helpful article by Rev. Dr. David Petersen entitled, “The Missouri Synod’s Lacking Judiciary”. (Gottesdienst, vol. 33, no. 3 (2025:3))

It is our hope that we will each familiarize ourselves with the issues, talk to our District Presidents about how to effect change, have conversations with our convention delegates and support measures that will foster faithful and evangelical discipline. Our goal is to protect the Church’s witness of Christ before the world and to promote unity within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

p.s. This year's conference, June 16th & 17th, will consider some practical ways that we might continue to walk together in faithfulness to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. Learn more and register here.