# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S335
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

LIFE TOGETHER
4-19

335

4-21

To Translate and Publish Book of Concord of 1580
(Concordia) into Russian Language

To Develop Social Media Agreement
for Professional Church Workers

Whereas, Christ has given His mandate to make disciples of “all
nations” by baptizing and teaching (Matt. 28:19); and
Whereas, Scripture tells us that gathered before the throne of God
and before the Lamb is an uncountable multitude “from every nation,
from all tribes and people and languages” (Rev. 7:9); and
Whereas, The 500th anniversary of the beginning of the
Reformation by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther will be observed in 2017; and
Whereas, It is most appropriate that people from “all nations”
join in the celebration of that anniversary, and that this celebration
include the study of the writings contained in the Book of Concord
of 1580 (i.e., the Lutheran Confessions); and
Whereas, The 2013 LCMS convention approved Res. 4-02 “To
Endorse Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with the Siberian Evangelical
Lutheran Church” (SELC); and
Whereas, The LCMS is also a partner church with the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia (ELCIR); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod strongly encourage our partner churches
to hold regular, ongoing studies of all writings contained within the
Book of Concord of 1580; and be it finally
Resolved, That Concordia Publishing House be requested to
translate into Russian and publish the Book of Concord of 1580
(Concordia) for these partner churches.
Victory in Christ
Newark, TX

Whereas, The prevalence of social media in the twenty-first century has introduced a new blend of both private and public discourse;
and
Whereas, Many professional church workers in the LCMS utilize social media; and
Whereas, We are called by the Gospel and enlightened with
God’s gifts to be His witnesses in both private and public settings; and
Whereas, The Eighth Commandment (Ex. 20:16) commands us
to “not give false testimony against your neighbor”; and
Whereas, Martin Luther’s explanation of the Eighth
Commandment in the Small Catechism exhorts us to “explain everything in the kindest way”; and
Whereas, The apostle Peter’s words in 1 Peter 3:15 instruct us to
witness in both word and action “with gentleness and respect”; and
Whereas, Employers throughout the United States are developing systems to safeguard the integrity of their organizations through
professional agreements with their workers regarding their personal
and public use of social media; and
Whereas, As servant leaders, professional church workers are
called to live as examples both for the Christian Church and for the
secular world; and
Whereas, The public witness of the LCMS to the saving Gospel
of Jesus Christ can be either helped or hindered by professional
church workers’ use of social media; therefore be it
Resolved, That the president of the Indiana District, in coordination and cooperation with all appropriate commissions and task
forces, review the social media policy for the Indiana District office
to be modified for congregational use, to be completed by the end of
2015; and be it further
Resolved, That the president of the Indiana District equip all circuit
visitors to utilize this agreement for the blessing of all professional
church workers and the congregations they serve; and be it further
Resolved, That the president of the Indiana District address the
issue of responsible use of social media with all professional church
workers at their respective conferences in 2016; and be it finally
Resolved, That the 2015 Indiana District Convention memorialize the 2016 LCMS convention to develop a comprehensive “Social
Media Agreement for Professional Church Workers” to be studied
and implemented throughout the LCMS.
Indiana District

4-20

To Translate Book of Concord of 1580 (Concordia)
into French Language
Whereas, Christ has given His mandate to make disciples of “all
nations” by baptizing and teaching (Matt. 28:19); and
Whereas, Scripture tells us that gathered before the throne of God
and before the Lamb is an uncountable multitude “from every nation,
from all tribes and people and languages” (Rev. 7:9); and
Whereas, The 500th anniversary of the beginning of the
Reformation by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther will be observed in 2017; and
Whereas, It is most appropriate that people from “all nations”
join in the celebration of that anniversary, and that this celebration
include the study of the writings contained in the Book of Concord
of 1580 (i.e., the Lutheran Confessions); and
Whereas, The 2013 LCMS convention approved Res. 4-03
“To Recognize Lutheran Church of Togo as an Independent, SelfGoverning Partner Church; and
Whereas, The LCMS is also a partner church with the Evangelical
Lutheran Church—Synod of France (EEL-SF), the Lutheran
Church—Canada (LCC), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Haiti (ELCH); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod strongly encourage our partner churches
to hold regular, ongoing studies of all writings contained within the
Book of Concord of 1580; and be it finally
Resolved, That Concordia Publishing House be requested to translate into French and publish the Book of Concord of 1580 (Concordia)
for these partner churches.
Victory in Christ
Newark, TX

4-22

To Publicly Call Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker
to Repentance
Whereas, Holy Scripture warns, “Beware of false prophets, who
come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves”
(Matt. 7:15); and
Whereas, Holy Scripture warns, “I appeal to you, brothers, to
watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such
persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by
smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve” (Rom.
16:17−18); and
Whereas, Holy Scripture warns, “For the time is coming when
people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they
2016 Convention Workbook