# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S408
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

408

FLOOR COMMITTEE REPORTS AND OVERTURES ASSIGNMENTS

4. Life Together
REPORTS
R1, R1.1, R1.2, R1.3, R2, R3, R6–6.2, R7, R8,
R12, R13, R15, R21–55, R56, R57, R58,
R59.1–13, R61, R65
OVERTURES
Ov. 4-01

To Establish Mission and Ministry Emphases
for the 2019–2021 Synod Triennium
WHEREAS, The Synod’s Bylaws call for the districts of the Synod
to assist in the establishment of mission and ministry emphases to
be adopted by the Synod in convention, (Bylaw 4.2.1 [b, d]); and
WHEREAS, The Synod is a union of congregations established by
a common confession of faith; and
WHEREAS, That confession of faith is under constant attack from
within and from without; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been
experiencing a decline in membership that has created financial
strain on the work that it has been doing; and
WHEREAS, The administration of the Synod is not where mission
and ministry happens, but rather the Synod is developed to assist
the congregations in the proclamation of the gospel; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Montana District submit the following three
emphases to the 2019 Synod convention for adoption as its own:
1. Maintain the purity of our confession in doctrine and
practice.
2. Every effort shall be made to limit the work of the Synod to
the following essential duties:
a. educating pastors, teachers, and other called or
commissioned church workers
b. sending missionaries
c. ecclesiastical supervision
d. publishing orthodox material
e. large scale works of mercy
3. The administration of the Synod be focused on supporting
congregations to do the work of proclamation of the gospel.
Montana District
Ov. 4-02

To Reaffirm “Witness, Mercy, Life Together”
as the Mission and Ministry Emphasis
for the 2019–2021 Triennium
WHEREAS, Our commitment together as The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations and workers is to walk
together with the Word of God as our only norm and guide for
doctrine and practice; and
WHEREAS, The current triennial emphasis of “Witness, Mercy,
Life Together” established at our 2013 Synod convention has
served the Synod well and has blessed congregations with a richer

2019 Convention Workbook

understanding of the nature and mission of the Church of Christ;
and
WHEREAS, Nine (9) of 35 districts submitted overtures to the
2016 Synod convention suggesting mission and ministry emphases
for the 2016–2019 triennium; and
WHEREAS, These submissions continue to focus on our life
together, service to our community and to those in need, and
reaching out with the Gospel; and
WHEREAS, These submissions have given special focus to
ministering to families, people of different nations, and people of
different ethnicities; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Indiana District encourage the 2019 Synod
convention to reaffirm the threefold emphasis of “Witness, Mercy,
Life Together,” including the following six priorities:
• plant, sustain and revitalize Lutheran churches;
• support and expand theological education;
• perform human care in close proximity to Word and
Sacrament ministries;
• collaborate with the Synod’s members and partners to
enhance mission effectiveness;
• promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, financial and
physical well-being of pastors and professional church
workers;
• enhance early childhood education, elementary and
secondary education, university and campus ministries and
youth ministry;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Indiana District encourage the Synod in
convention to establish a seventh priority, namely:
• strengthen and support the families in living out God’s
design;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the Indiana District encourage the Synod in
convention to continue to give special focus toward:
• ministry to and with people of all nations and races;
• preaching and Bible study;
• visitation.
Indiana District
Ov. 4-03

To Forward Emphases to Synod
for Next Triennium
WHEREAS, As stated in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) Constitution, Article III, among the Objectives of the
Synod are:
1. Conserve and promote the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3–6; 1
Cor. 1:10), work through its official structure toward fellowship
with other Christian church bodies, and provide a united defense
against schism, sectarianism (Rom. 16:17), and heresy;
2. Strengthen congregations and their members in giving bold
witness by word and deed to the love and work of God, the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, and extend that Gospel witness into all the
world;
3. Recruit and train pastors, teachers, and other professional church
workers and provide opportunity for their continuing growth;