# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S146
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

146

MERCY

Whereas, The home is an integral partner in passing on the faith
to the next generation (Deut. 7:6–9; 11:18–21; Ps. 78:4–7; Joel 1:3;
Eph. 6:4); and
Whereas, Actions in several areas of society are threatening and
undermining the biblical foundation of marriage and family; and
Whereas, The LCMS in convention has voiced support for the
biblical foundation of marriage; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS reaffirm its support for the biblical foundation of marriage and the family; and be it further
Resolved, That this biblical truth be clearly proclaimed, taught,
and supported in each congregation and ministry in the Synod; and
be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS continue to provide a clear and emphatic
witness to and an emphasis on the Scripture’s teachings concerning
marriage and the family in the next triennium.
Michigan District

Resolved, That Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois be
welcomed back with open arms into being an LCMS RSO when it
complies with the Word of God and the practice of the LCMS; and
be it further
Resolved, That Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois
remove any reference to the LCMS from its Web site and publications; and be it further
Resolved, That other LCMS districts consider a similar stance
with regard to RSOs not adhering to God’s Word; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS remain committed to showing love and
compassion to children in foster care and adoption agencies.
Circuit 9W
Northern Illinois District
2-07

To Direct Concordia Plans to Reimburse Funeral
Costs When Children Die Before Birth

2-06

To Remove RSO Status of Lutheran Child
and Family Services of Illinois
Whereas, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois has a
rich Lutheran heritage of working with children and families, beginning from 1873, when an orphanage was incorporated; and
Whereas, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois has
throughout its history been faithful to the Word of God in all matters
pertaining to its social ministry practice; and
Whereas, In 2011, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois
agreed to abide by the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and
Civil Union Act; and
Whereas, The Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union
Act grants same-sex couples “civil union” status and includes them
as a protected group under state anti-discrimination statutes, which
means all Illinois foster care and adoption agencies must be willing
to license and/or place children with same-sex couples; and
Whereas, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois provides foster care for the state of Illinois and is not exempt from
licensing same-sex couples for foster care; and
Whereas, The Word of God is clear regarding homosexuality; and
Whereas, This action by Lutheran Child and Family Services of
Illinois is contrary to the Word of God that addresses this issue; and
Whereas, Bylaw 6.2.1 of the LCMS states, “The granting of
recognized service organization status by the Synod signifies that
a service organization, while independent of the Synod, fosters the
mission and ministry of the church, engages in program activity that
is in harmony with the programs of the boards of the Synod, and
respects and does not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of the
Synod”; and
Whereas, Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois is a
recognized service organization of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod; therefore be it
Resolved, That Illinois LCMS congregations pray for Lutheran
Child and Family Services of Illinois that it may follow the Word of
God faithfully in all of its practices; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS continue to work with lawmakers to
change the laws of the state and nation so that RSOs of the LCMS may
be exempt on issues that violate the Word of God; and be it further
Resolved, That Lutheran Child and Family Services of Illinois be
removed from being an LCMS RSO because it is going against God’s
Word and the practice of the LCMS; and be it further
2013 Convention Workbook

Whereas, God forms us in the womb (Jer. 1:5), creating a unique
person long before we are ever born, as is affirmed by the unique DNA
a child and mother have; and
Whereas, We are conceived with sin (Doctrine of Original Sin,
Psalm 51:5), and life can end even before we take our first breath1; and
Whereas, Many of our church workers are covered by Concordia
Plans, which provide a death benefit for dependent children who die
but not for children who die before birth; and
Whereas, There are often costs associated with funerals for children who are born dead, costs that often are difficult to meet for our
church workers, are in addition to medical deductible and co-pay
costs, and can cause additional stress for our workers at a difficult
time; and yet a family will often incur these funeral expenses for the
death of their pre-born child by having a funeral service or choosing to bury their child themselves instead of having the hospital bury
their child in a common grave2; and
Whereas, Providing funeral benefits for children born dead
would be consistent with our Synod’s clear confession of the personhood of the unborn3, would show respect for the deceased child,
and would show care and compassion for our workers; therefore be it
Resolved, That we, the Minnesota North District, petition the 2013
LCMS convention to direct Concordia Plan Services to reimburse
actual funeral expenses for a child who dies before birth, not to exceed
one-half of the benefit provided for dependents who die.
1. Most states base life on having breathed. If a child takes even one
breath outside the womb it is considered a person and issued a birth
certificate.
2. In Minnesota, proper disposal of a stillborn child’s remains is
required by law and is the hospital’s responsibility unless the parents
assume it on their own.
3. One example is the 1979 Res. 2-39: “The living but unborn are
persons in the sight of God from the time of conception.”

Minnesota North District
2-08

To Speak Out Against Violence in United States
Whereas, The massacre in December 2012 at Sandy Hook
Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, has many wondering,
“What is going wrong in America?” and “How do we stop the violence?”; and