# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S270
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

270

MERCY

lutheransforlife.org/event/for-life-live-human-traffickingprevention-righteousness-works/, accessed June 6, 2021); and
WHEREAS, Many people in Synod congregations are unaware
of the magnitude of this deplorable act against humanity; and
WHEREAS, God created all life and sent His Son Jesus to
redeem all life, and He desires that all people come to the
knowledge of Him and be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), and He desires all to
have abundant life in Him (John 10:10) and He has commanded us
to love our neighbor as our self (Matt. 19:19, Mark 12:31, Luke
10:29f); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Mid-South District in convention
memorialize the Synod in convention to update the resources
provided; and to also direct the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations to produce a document addressing human
trafficking; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention rise to pray that almighty
God would by His power bless and direct all law enforcement
agencies in their fight against human trafficking and that He would
through His Church and other relief organizations provide healing,
support and ministry to the victims of human trafficking; and that
He would bring an end to these deplorable acts.
Mid-South District
Ov. 3-04

To Direct LCMS Life Ministry to Support
Congregations in Developing Mercy Ministries
to Promote Culture of Life
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has
long supported the pro-life movement, both politically and
culturally; and
WHEREAS, A one-million dollar grant has been established by the
LCMS available as matching funds for congregations to support
local life issues; and
WHEREAS, There are many pro-life organizations whose primary
purpose is to inform people on pro-life issues and engage them in
the political process; and
WHEREAS, The duplication of these services wastes precious
time and resources; and
WHEREAS, Establishing a culture of life begins in our churches
and communities; therefore be it
Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize Synod that
the Life Ministry of the LCMS continue to support congregations
in establishing new mercy ministries that support a culture of life;
and be it further
Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize Synod that
the Life Ministry of the LCMS continue to establish support and
training material for the aforementioned to write grants and support
their efforts; and be it finally
Resolved, That the district in convention memorialize Synod to
extend life ministries, support, and training materials, including but
not limited to production of policy manuals, grant writing
instruction, guidance to life ministry agencies, encouragement to
access grants from allied institutions, and maintenance of the
English District’s Lifeline program as a resource for life and mercy
ministries.
English District

2023 Convention Workbook

Ov. 3-05

To Continue the Synod’s Efforts to Address
Mental Health and Mental Illness
Preamble
Over the course of the 2019–2023 quadrennium, The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) Office of National Mission
(ONM) staff reflected on how best to respond to the Synod’s
ongoing desired goals, objectives, and possible beneficial actions
pertaining to mental health and mental illness. Mental illness is
considered the most severe yet diagnosable form of a mental health
problem, with diagnosable mental illness affecting 20+ percent of
the U.S. population in any given year. As the ONM leadership
considered 2019 Resolution 3-04A, “To Encourage Training of Our
Pastors, Church Workers and Congregations to Recognize and
Provide Pastoral Care for Those Suffering from Clinical
Depression, Mental Illnesses, and Other Mental Disorders,”
particularly its four resolves,
Resolved, That our seminaries, universities, and recognized
service organizations be encouraged to continue to strive for
improved training in mental illness, health, and wellness for
those studying to be pastors and church workers; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage the seminaries and universities to
include continuing education opportunities and resources
regarding the topic of mental illness; and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod districts
work to provide additional training to all workers through
partnerships with our seminaries, our Concordias, and other
trusted experts in the field; and be it finally
Resolved, That we encourage our pastors, church workers, and
congregations to actively advocate for mental health and
wellness in their congregations, among their people, and provide
Christ-centered compassion and ministerial supportive care to
those in need through prayer, private confession and absolution,
and the means of grace,
the ONM eventually determined to establish an ad hoc task force to
undertake further study, immediately feasible actions, and the
development of recommendations aimed at future Synod actions
and initiatives to address mental health and mental illness issues
among both church workers and laity. The ONM is grateful for the
direct participation of the following individuals on the ad hoc task
force, chaired by Rev. Steven Briel, D. Litt. (Chair, LCMS Board
for National Mission [BNM]); Mr. Steve Gruenwald (Concordia
Plan Services); Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor (ONM); Dr. Richard
Marrs (faculty member, Concordia Seminary); Ms. Jenna McMiller
(ONM, task force secretary); Dr. Gerhard Mundinger (Chair,
Concordia University System Board of Directors); Rev. Daniel
Ognoskie (Zion Lutheran, Wilton, Iowa); Dr. Todd Peperkorn
(faculty member, Concordia Theological Seminary); Dr. Stephen
Saunders (faculty member, Marquette University); Ms. Martha
Ulmer (Augsburg Lutheran, Shawnee, Kan.); Rev. Wayne Palmer
(Concordia Publishing House).
Following the diminishment of the COVID-19 pandemic, over the
past two years this ad hoc task force has subsequently undertaken a
number of considerations and actions, including but not limited to:
• preparation of various mental health and mental illness
resources (textual and audiovisual)—most notably resources
aimed to assist in the recognition of mental illness—for
distribution to the Synod’s church workers via print and