# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S153 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 153 2-65 To Recommend Use of 4th Edition of AAT WuerEAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has through- out its history had a heart for missions and for bringing souls to saving faith in Jesus Christ; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has dedi- cated itself to publishing the most accurate and doctrinally pure materials so that all of its members might know and appreciate the doctrinal position of the Synod as it is based on the clear Word of God; and WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has always and consistently determined and led its churches, Christian day schools, universities, and members to study the Word of God for growth in the faith; and WuereaS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has a desire to place into the hands of its members an accurate, clear, readable, and understandable translation of the Holy Bible; and WHEREAS, The fourth edition of the AAT (An American Trans-. lation) is the most accurate, clear, readable, and understandable translation of the Holy Bible and is truly a Bible for the 21st cen- tury; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod incor- porate the fourth edition of the AAT (An American Translation) into all of its official publications; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod instruct and recommend that Concordia Publishing House incorporate the fourth edition of the AAT (An American Translation) in our cate- chism, Sunday school material, devotional materials, new hymn- book, and the like; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod recom- mend the fourth edition of the AAT (An American Translation) be used in our churches, Christian day schools, and synodical schools; and be it finally Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod imple- ment this resolution and have all synodical materials use the fourth edition of the AAT (An American Translation) in its materials when referring to Scriptures by the next synodical convention in 2004. Good Shepherd Pleasant Prairie, WI 2-66 To Develop Ministry to Couples Living Together Wrereas, God Himself established marriage to be the proper place for the expression of human sexuality (Gen. 2:24; Heb. 13:4); and WHEREAS, An increasing number of men and women choose to live together in a sexual relationship before marriage; and WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations document on Human Sexuality: A Theological Perspective states, “Sexual intercourse engaged in outside of the marriage relationship is forbidden by the Scriptures and must be condemned by the church (Gen. 2:24; | Thess. 4:2-5; cf. Gal. 5:19; Eph. 5:3; Col. 3:5; 1 Cor. 6:16-20). This, of course, includes ... arrangements whereby couples live together without being married. Even when the part- ners feel themselves united by a deep bond of love and intended to be married at some point in the future (engagement), the same judgment must be made” ( p. 12); and WHEREAS, A couple who lives together in a sexual relationship outside of marriage commits an offense to others, especially those weak in the faith (1 Cor. 5:6; 6:12~20; 8:9-10); and WHEREAS, Forgiveness is available for the one who commits fornication through repentance and faith in Christ: “If we confess our sins, he [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). But God’s offer of forgiveness in Christ must never be twisted into a license to sin or to excuse the sin of others (Rom. 6:1—2). Nor may it be al- lowed to rob the truth of God’s Word; and WHEREAS, The need exists to make available for the church a plan to help pastors and congregations work patiently and lovingly with couples caught up in this sin so that there is a God-pleasing resolution; therefore be it Resolved, That the President of the Synod direct a task force to develop a plan for ministry usable by pastors and congregations for the purpose of providing biblical and Gospel-oriented ministry to couples who are living together; and be it further Resolved, That the goals to be pursued by such a plan for min- istry be 1. to confront the couple with their sinfulness and call them to re- pentance; 2. to assure them of forgiveness in Christ and of the love and ac- ceptance of the church; and 3. to help the couple rely on Christ’s love and strength to abstain from fornication and to come to a God-pleasing resolution. Norfolk Circuit Forum Norfolk, NE 200! Convention Workbook