# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2007_S228 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 228 HUMAN CARE Resolved, That the Synod urge its members to give public wit- ness against the destruction of human life in stem cell research; and be it finally Resolved, That the 2007 LCMS convention make known its support of adult stem cell research and its opposition to ESCR which involves the taking of a human life. Immanuel, Cedar Lake, WI; Immanuel, Frederic, WI; St. Paul, Bonduel, WI; Circuit 13 Forum, North Wisconsin District 6-04 To Adopt and Honor Policy re Not Placing Children in Homosexual Contexts Wuereas, The Scriptures do not specifically address social and political questions concerning the adoption (or foster care) of chil- dren; and WuereaS, The Bible does clearly teach that homophile behavior is intrinsically sinful (see 1973 Res. 2-04); and WHEREAS, Same-sex unions are, according to the Scriptures, contrary to the will of the Creator and a sin against the Command- ments of God (1998 Res. 3-21); and WHEREAS, The God-given union of husband and wife in mar- riage “is the only proper context for human procreation” (1983 Res. 3-14); therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod offi- cially adopt the policy that placing adopted or foster children into homosexual contexts is in opposition to the official doctrinal posi- tion of the LCMS; and be it further Resolved, That this policy be made specifically clear in the guidelines/procedures of any LCMS-recognized service organiza- tions that place adopted or foster children into families or homes. Glory of Christ Plymouth, MN 6-05 To Encourage Ministry to Armed Forces Personnel and Families Whereas, United States Armed Forces continue to serve around the world and many of these service members are on their second and third deployment; and Wuereas, The stress of deployments in a war zone is tremen- dous, not only on the service member but also their families; and WHEREAS, Many of these service members and their families are members of LCMS congregations; and WHEREAS, The Ministry to the Armed Forces of the LCMS can only reach so many of these service members and their families; and WHEREAS, The Northwest District of the LCMS through its Ministry to Military Personnel, Families and Congregations Task Force has developed an intentional and comprehensive plan for ministry to this specific area of need; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS in convention encourage all its dis- tricts to develop intentional and specific ministry plans for reaching out to the specific needs of service members and their families; and be it further Resolved, That we thank the Ministry to the Armed Forces of the LCMS for their outstanding leadership and ministry and request that they identify guidelines for districts in this vital area of need. Board of Directors Northwest District 6-06 To Encourage Professional Church Worker Sabbatical Guidelines WHEREAS, The word sabbatical is derived from Sabbath. Sab- bath time is based on Genesis 2:1~4a in which God modeled and later required (Exodus 17:8-11) the setting aside of one-seventh of our time for recreation and restoration; and Wuereas, Sabbath-keeping is a discipline of abstinence from those activities that make us more self-sufficient than God-suffi- cient; and WHEREAS, Historically, in church and academia, professionals were given a sabbatical every seventh year; and WHEREAS, Professional church workers need to recreate and re- store what has been worn down by day-to-day encounters with stresses and strains of everyday life and ministry; and WHEREAS, Nourishing one’s soul and regaining perspective re- quires a change of pace and place—a pilgrimage. We can be recharged by walking with Jesus during an extended time of re- flection, spiritual encounter, and community; and _ Wuereas, A sabbatical typically includes time for travel, rest, prayer, and experiencing different cultures; and WHEREAS, Sabbatical is a time to receive, to be nurtured, and to reflect on one’s relationship with God and one’s own story so that one may be renewed, refreshed, and revitalized for a life of service to others; therefore be it Resolved, That the South Wisconsin District (SWD) convention adopt the “Sabbatical Guidelines and Resources for Professional Church Workers”; and be it further Resolved, That the SWD convention commend the use of these guidelines in the congregations and agencies of the SWD; and be it further Resolved, That the concept and the use of sabbaticals be encouraged among the congregations and agencies of the SWD as it pertains to their professional church workers; and be it finally Resolved, That the South Wisconsin District place in memorial these very guidelines to be commended to all the congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod when it meets in conven- tion in 2007. Sabbatical Guidelines and Resources for Professional Church Workers “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; — They shall mount up with wings like eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31) The Continuing Education Committee of the South Wisconsin District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has prepared a set of guidelines to assist congregations and schools in developing their own sabbatical policies. These guidelines, which are a further development from those established in the LCMS Southeastern District, received the endorsement of the South Wisconsin District Board of Directors in their Nov. 10, 2005, meeting and include the following ingredients: 1. for full-time professional church workers, 2. after six to seven years in a particular ministry, 3. for a duration of three consecutive months, 4. a plan prepared by the professional church worker in consulta- tion with the congregation, 5. pastoral care and/or ministerial support coverage during the sab- batical, 6. a report following the sabbatical, and 7. the payment of salary and all benefits.