# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S471
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

CHURCH AND CULTURE

471

14-14

14-12

To Advise Ordained Ministers to Refrain
from Solemnizing Marriages
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod understands
that marriage is a temporal institution established by God for the benefit of all men and women; and
Whereas, The Synod recognizes that God grants jurisdiction over
temporal institutions to temporal authorities; and
Whereas, The Synod is not a temporal authority; and
Whereas, The Synod desires to keep the temporal and spiritual
realms distinct and separate from each other; and
Whereas, The Synod is instructed and restricted to the spiritual
realm; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod advise its ordained ministers to refrain
from solemnizing marriages on behalf of temporal authorities.
Saints Peter and Paul
Sharon, PA
14-13

To Encourage Congregations to Review
and Update Policies Associated with Bible’s
Teaching on Marriage
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod holds
unswervingly to the biblical teaching that marriage is the lifelong
union of one man and one woman; and
Whereas, The legalization of same-sex marriage is putting
increased pressure on faithful congregations to disregard our confession to accommodate this trend; and
Whereas, Legal challenges to the church on the issue of samesex marriage are already happening and will likely continue in the
future; and
Whereas, Many congregations need to write and/or update their
marriage policies to state clearly the aforementioned teaching of biblical marriage; and
Whereas, The Synod has published sample statements affirming biblical marriage for policies for adoption by congregations; and
Whereas, Other policies also may need to be updated in order
to properly confess the Bible’s teaching on marriage, including but
not limited to facilities use and employment policies; therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the South Wisconsin District
review their marriage policies and amend them to define marriage
biblically as the union of one man and one woman; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations without marriage policies be encouraged to write one that is careful to specifically affirm the Bible’s
teaching on marriage; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations review all their policies and edit
them to prohibit any activity that might endorse same-sex behavior
and thus compromise the congregation’s confession and integrity;
and be it finally
Resolved, That upon approval of this resolution, it be forwarded
to the 66th Regular Convention of the LCMS in Milwaukee in 2016.
South Wisconsin District

To Study Officiating of Marriages
Whereas, In conducting and presiding at marriages, ordained
pastors of the LCMS act not only as ministers of the Gospel but
also serve the state in performing weddings and signing the marriage license; and
Whereas, In our nation the legal definition and practice of marriage has changed to include such that rejects the biblical definition
and practice to which our pastors can subscribe and conduct and
remain faithful to God’s Word and design; and
Whereas, Many pastors and congregations are seeking faithful
and solid theological and legal advice on these issues; therefore be it
Resolved, That the CTCR study and report on the theology and
practice of LCMS clergy officiating at weddings, providing guidelines
for pastors and congregations in performing weddings and signing
the legal licenses of the state, this study and report to be pursued with
all diligence and urgency.
Board of Directors
Missouri District
14-15

To Inform Synod Members of Objectives of Islam
Whereas, “Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor.
11:14); and
Whereas, “[Satan] was a murderer from the beginning, and has
nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he
lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father
of lies” (John 8:44); and
Whereas, Satan is “crafty” (Gen. 3:1) and deceptively and craftily changes God’s Word (Gen. 3:1); and
Whereas, Satan lies (Gen. 3:5); and
Whereas, Satan’s words are “a delight to the eyes” and “desired
to make one wise” (Gen. 3:6); and
Whereas, “Everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man,
the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does—comes
not from the Father but from the world” (1 John 2:16); and
Whereas, Our own sinful nature opposes the good and gracious
will of God (“I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature” [Rom. 7:18]); and
Whereas, The devil, the world, and our sinful nature try to mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great sins (cf. Luther’s
Small Catechism; 1 Pet. 5:8–9; Prov. 1:10; Matt. 18:7; Gal. 5:17; 2
Cor. 4:8); and
Whereas, The purity of the Gospel is to be maintained (John
10:35; 2 Tim. 3:16–17; 2 Pet. 1:21; Rom. 3:4; 2 Cor. 10:5; Col. 2:8;
Rev. 22:18–19); therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, through
official communications, clearly inform its members (congregations,
ministers of religion—ordained, and ministers of religion—commissioned) of the objectives of Islam.
Circuit 8
Kansas District
2016 Convention Workbook