I have seen many emotional displays used to bully people into submission. Often synodical leaders just erupt into anger so that everyone thinks, "I should not cross this guy. Better to remain silent than to share the humiliation of his victim."
They may appeal to Holy Mother Synod, like the old vaudeville performers ending a song to mama on one knee.
Sometimes they use a plea for pity. One CLC (sic) bully constantly reminded people that his church first worshiped in his house and "people had to go through our bedroom to reach the restroom." That is called bearing the cross, or in this case, still pouting about it like a little girl, decades later. He used it to say, "I am right about this issue because people once walked through our bedroom to get to the restroom." Pathetic, but it works on those who are united by a common history.
Naturally, the world will come to an end - or worse - "the synod will come to an end unless..." will always move large groups in to stupid decisions.
That is the most frequently used gambit, and will be used until Judgment Day. "If this case goes to court, the LCMS will lose $10 million and there goes the Siberian mission."
"If you continue to bring up these abuse cases, the synod will be crushed, people will be hurt, and nothing good will come of it."
"If we do not implement these new praise worship models, all the young people will go away and join up-to-date churches." And yet the Praise Band is full of balding Boomers with their beer bellies hanging out over their blue jeans.
