# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S147 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 147 Resolved, That we conclude that the entire plan has two funda- mental] intellectual flaws: I. To its credit it condemns homosexual behavior as contrary to God’s Law, but it creates a fuzzy uncertainty as to homosexual orientation, which leaves the impression that homosexuals may be born that way, when in fact the overwhelming reports by sex- ologists and researchers is that there is no reliable research that substantiates a biological or genetic cause for homosexuality; but on the contrary these reports of sexologists and researchers conclude that homosexual orientation is a chosen lifestyle; and . The plan downplays and relegates to a secondary afterthought status the existence of reparative therapies whereby persons who are orientated in the direction of homosexuality are that way by choice, and there are reparative therapies available to them that should be the primary emphasis of any organization concerned about this issue, particularly the Christian church known as the LCMS; and be it further Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the LCMS reject the re- port in its current form and request that the plan be revised to re- flect the concerns expressed in this overture; and be it finally Resolved, That the convention make the following statements relative to the political agenda being advocated by homosexual ac- tivists in America: 1. That God’s Word in the Bible is clear that marriage is between one man and one woman. 2. That if a person identifies himself as a person with a homosexual orientation that he not be ordained in the LCMS clergy or a com- missioned minister in the LCMS. Our Savior, Fullerton, CA; Holy Cross, Kerrville, TX; Trinity, New Haven, MO; Immanuel, San Antonio, TX; Peace, Neenah, WI; Faith, Corning, NY; Trinity, Bridgeton, MO; Concordia, Fair Haven, MN; Redeemer, John Day, OR; Mount Calvary, Pittsburgh, PA; Immanuel, Van Buren, MO; St. Paul, Mondovi, WI; Our Redeemer, Cushing, OK; St. Paul, Iron River, MI; St. Paul, Memphis, MO; Our Saviour, Monticello, IN; Trinity, West Allis, WI to 2-41 To Revise 1999 Report re Ministry to Homosexuals Wrereas, In 1999 the Task Force on Ministry to Homosexuals and Their Families issued its report titled, “A Plan for Ministry to Homosexuals and Their Families”; and WHEREAS, This report does not adequately address the problem of homosexuality as being a sin and therefore not an intended bio- logical part of God’s creation; and WHEREAS, Even though we are born in sin and are by nature sin- ful, there is not a single biological trait or substance that we are born with which can be called a sin; and WHEREAS, The confusion on this subject raises anew in our midst the old Manichean position that the Lutheran Confessions soundly and clearly refuted; therefore be it Resolved, That this 1999 report by the Task Force on Ministry to Homosexuals and Their Families be revised in order to clearly state the Lutheran Confessions’ biblical position on this subject. St. John, Owensville, MO; Pilgrim, Linn, MO 2-42 To Commend CPH for New Materials WHEREAS, The Southern [Illinois District in convention on March 1, 1997, memorialized The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod to direct Concordia Publishing House to develop academic textbooks and other curricular materials for use in the Lutheran el- ementary schools (Res. 4-12); and Wuereas, Concordia Publishing House has produced Discov- ery Works, a science curriculum for use in Lutheran elementary schools; and WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House is considering a simi- lar social studies curriculum for use in Lutheran elementary schools; and WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House has provided promo- tional support and teacher in-service at the Southern Illinois Dis- trict Principals Conference and Teachers Conference: and WHEREAS, These curriculum materials will provide resources for Lutheran elementary teachers to use for the faith development of the students in their classrooms; therefore be it Resolved, That the Southern Ilinois District commend Concor- dia Publishing House for its response to the needs of our Lutheran schools; and be it further Resolved, That all congregations of the Southern []linois Dis- trict that operate a Lutheran school be encouraged to give careful consideration to these curriculum materials for adoption in their Lutheran schools. Southern I}linois District 2-43 To Continue to Publish Good Materials re Creation WHEREAS, There is a relentless effort by powerful forces in gov- ernment, education, parts of the scientific community, and all the media to attack, ridicule, and undermine our belief in a young, cre- ated earth; and WHEREAS, Our inability to explain some of the great mysteries of creation, the fall, the flood, and other aspects of the early his- tory of the earth in no way supports any and all claims of evolu- tionists whose god is merely time and chance; and WHEREAS, The attacks of evolutionists are not evidence-based but are rather based on speculations about a universe without God; and WHEREAS, Many Christian church bodies and individual churches have surrendered without a battle to what they believe is “science,” falsely called; and WHEREAS, There is an urgent need within the church to provide good answers for the good questions our people ask; and WuereaS, Our Lutheran high schools, colleges, and seminaries are not providing adequate background for our future church work- ers; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod be commended for the good materials now available through its media, but that the Synod be strongly urged to promote, publish, and use more good materials to respond to the needs of our members; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod continue to declare, promote, and up- hold its unwavering belief in our young, created earth, as revealed to us in Genesis and elsewhere in the Holy Scriptures. Trinity, New Haven, MO; St. Paul, Bonduel, WI; St. John, Owensville, MO; Pilgrim, Linn, MO; Faith, Corning, NY; Redeemer, John Day, OR 2-44 To Encourage Use of CPH Curriculum Materials WHEREAS, The major role of our congregations is the procla- mation of the Gospel in truth and purity; and WHEREAS, Many LCMS congregations are seeking to extend their proclamation of the Gospel through new methods of Christian education intended to better meet the needs of their members and the broader community; and WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House is the official publish- ing arm of the LCMS and has historically provided solid curricu- lums for congregational use in Sunday schools, Vacation Bible Schools, Lutheran day schools, preschools and early childhood cen- ters, midweek and confirmation programs, adult learning sessions. and other Christian growth settings in the LCMS; and 2001 Convention Workbook