# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S404
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

404

MERCY

WHEREAS, The report is meant to be a study and discussion
document for the benefit of lively conversation within the Synod
and is not the official position of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod (LCMS) unless adopted by the Synod in convention as its
official position; and
WHEREAS, “The report does not seek to provide policy
recommendations … Rather, it considers immigration issues in light
of important Lutheran theological concepts such has the love of
neighbor and the doctrine of vocation” (2013 Workbook, 78); and
WHEREAS, “The study is addressed especially, although not
exclusively, to Lutherans who are asking how they can engage in
mission, mercy work, and spiritual care among immigrants who live
in their midst—whether documented or not—while also upholding
their responsibility to obey the government authorities and the
immigration laws they enact” (Immigrants Among Us, 8–9); and
WHEREAS, The report does not distinguish between
“documented” and “undocumented” immigrants (e.g. Immigrants
Among Us, 17n29: “it remains still problematic in the New
Testament era to argue that for immigrants to participate in the
blessings of the church or spiritual Israel in the U.S. today, they
must first become legal residents or citizens of the temporal
national-state. The New Testament places no such temporal
conditions for becoming children of God through faith in Christ”);
and
WHEREAS, The report seems to ignore the “important Lutheran
theological concept” of distinguishing rightly Law and Gospel in
that the report does not explicitly call for those who are breaking
temporal laws to come to a place of repentance and forgiveness;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the CTCR of the
LCMS to prepare an addendum to the CTCR report entitled
Immigrants Among Us: A Lutheran Framework for Considering
Immigration Issues, with the instruction that this addendum would
specifically address how the biblical doctrines of Law and Gospel,
repentance and forgiveness, apply to the immigration issue.
Rocky Mountain District
Ov. 3-07

To Give Thanks and Praise to God and Encourage
Support for LIRS Ministry Welcoming Refugees
and Displaced Persons
WHEREAS, In 1939, Lutherans in the United States, committed to
the mercy work of the church, rose up to help Lutheran refugees
from Europe displaced by World War II; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is
an inter-Lutheran organization and in partnership with Lutheran
congregations across the country, has resettled over 500,000
refugees in its almost 80 years of ministry; and
WHEREAS, Christians are called to welcome the stranger (Deut.
10:18–19; Matt. 25:36), working to protect, embrace, and empower
migrants and refugees through ministries of service and mercy; and
WHEREAS, LIRS in partnership with Lutheran congregations
continues to serve over 10,000 refugees and 20,000 detained torture
survivors, victims of trafficking, and unaccompanied children every
year; and

2019 Convention Workbook

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has
a long history with LIRS in mercy work in what has historically
been described as “cooperation in externals”; and
WHEREAS, Through the work of LIRS, the Lord extends His
mercy to those in need; and
WHEREAS, The ministry of LIRS is still sorely needed in today’s
war-strewn, conflict-ridden world; therefore be it
Resolved, That Atlantic District congregations be encouraged to
designate any Sunday of their choosing, between June 20—
November 25, 2018, as Refugee and Displaced Persons Sunday, in
which congregations offer thanks and praise to God for the 80 years
of mercy work for migrants, refugees, and displaced persons
through LIRS; and be it further
Resolved, That the Atlantic District invite congregations to tell
the stories of their acts of welcome to refugees, displaced persons
and migrants—signs of witness, mercy, and life together; and be it
further
Resolved, That the delegates assembled in convention in the
Atlantic District memorialize the LCMS at its national convention
in 2019 to utilize its communications mechanisms to share these
stories and inspire action throughout the LIRS 80th anniversary
year; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Atlantic District in convention memorialize
the Synod at its 2019 convention to encourage congregations,
individuals, and organizations to engage with and support the LIRS
mission of welcoming the stranger through gifts of time, talent, and
treasure.
Atlantic District
Ov. 3-08

To Sever Any Agreements with Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service
WHEREAS, God’s Word says, “And he made from one man every
nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having
determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling
place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward
him and find him” (Acts 17:26–27a); and
WHEREAS, God’s Word says, “Let every person be subject to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God,
and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore,
whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and
those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to
good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who
is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his
approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do
wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is
the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the
wrongdoer. Therefore, one must be in subjection, not only to avoid
God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience” (Rom. 13:1–6);
and
WHEREAS, God’s Word says, “Remind them to be submissive to
rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good
work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and
to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (Titus 3:1–2); and
WHEREAS, We confess, “In addition, it would be well to preach
to the parents also, and such as bear their office, as to how they
should deport themselves toward those who are committed to them