# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S153
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

LIFE TOGETHER
and state issues, including informing members of the U.S. Congress
of the church’s concerns over those matters which may impact First
Amendment rights.
South Dakota District
3-13

To Adopt Witness, Mercy, Life Together as Mission
and Ministry Emphases
Whereas, At its 2010 convention, the LCMS adopted a process
whereby the triennial emphasis is established by suggestions forwarded through the adoption of resolutions at the congregational
level, then by circuit forums, then by district conventions, and finally
by the Synod’s conventions; and
Whereas, No triennial emphasis could be adopted at the 2010
convention because this process had been newly established; and
Whereas, The Synod President and his staff developed Witness,
Mercy, Life Together as the emphasis for the 2010–13 triennium; and
Whereas, Districts of the Synod are required by Bylaw 4.2.1 (b)
to submit mission and ministry emphases for consideration by the
Synod convention; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Montana District assembled in convention
submit the mission and ministry emphases of Witness, Mercy, Life
Together for consideration by the 2013 LCMS convention as the continued mission and ministry emphases for the LCMS for the 2013–16
triennium.
Montana District
3-14

To Suggest Triennial Mission and Ministry
Emphases to Synod
Whereas, Synod Bylaw 4.2.1 (b) states: “The district convention is the instrument to receive overtures (Bylaws 3.1.6.2–3.1.6.2.5),
including overtures and recommendations for synodwide mission and
ministry emphases submitted by member congregations and adopted
by a circuit forum”; and
Whereas, Synod Bylaw 4.2.1(d) states: “The district convention
shall, through delegate vote, forward to the national convention a list
of two or three triennial mission and ministry emphases for consideration by the national convention”; and
Whereas, The Church is called by her Lord to share the good
news of Jesus Christ in word and deed in the culture in which she
lives, and today’s American culture is providing great opportunities
for evangelism among many diverse populations and in a great variety of ways, including technological means unknown to previous
generations; and
Whereas, One of the objectives of our Synod is to “aid congregations to develop processes of thorough Christian education and
nurture and to establish agencies of Christian education such as elementary and secondary schools” (Constitution, Art. III 5), and such
Lutheran schools over the generations have been very effective in
training young people in the ways of the Lord but are now facing great
challenges in our changing culture and times of financial stress; and
Whereas, The President of the Synod and his staff developed
the current mission and ministry emphasis of Witness, Mercy, Life
Together, which still holds much potential for further growth and
implementation throughout the Synod; therefore be it

153

Resolved, That the Minnesota South District suggest to the 2013
LCMS convention a mission and ministry emphasis on evangelism,
both in word and in deed, asking the Office of National Mission to
develop resources to teach and train congregations to engage their
local communities in all their diversity, with special emphasis on the
use of technology such as social media to create a positive awareness
of our Synod and our congregations, as a way to share the Gospel of
Christ; and be it further
Resolved, That the Minnesota South District suggest to the 2013
LCMS convention a mission and ministry emphasis on Christian education, especially that which serves to strengthen the ministries of
Lutheran early childhood centers, elementary schools, high schools,
colleges, universities, and seminaries by providing resources through
the Office of National Mission, so that schools and congregations
may be better equipped to meet the challenges of the day and most
effectively share the caring Christ with students and their families;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the Minnesota South District suggest to the 2013
LCMS convention that it carry on with the current mission and ministry emphasis of Witness, Mercy, Life Together, continuing to develop
the implementation of the Gospel mission of the Church.
Minnesota South District
3-15

To Consider Three Triennial Ministry and Mission
Emphases
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 2010 Res.
8-09 called for “mission and ministry emphases” from districts on a
triennial basis; and
Whereas, Mission and ministry emphases were solicited from
the circuits of the Eastern District; and
Whereas, The Eastern District did select mission and ministry
emphases at its 2012 convention, to be referred by memorial to the
2013 LCMS convention; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention consider the following
three triennial mission and ministry emphases:
• Men’s ministry, encouragement and resources
• Small church, ministry support and material
• Evangelism training

And be it further
Resolved, That these mission and ministry emphases be referred
to the Board for National Mission for direction and implementation.
Eastern District
3-16

To Submit Triennial Mission and Ministry
Emphasis
Whereas, Bylaw 4.2.1(d) states: “The district convention shall,
by delegate vote, forward to the national convention a list of two or
three triennial mission and ministry emphases for consideration by
the national convention”; and
Whereas, The Synod President and his staff developed an emphasis for this first triennium based on the ancient description of the
Church; and
Whereas, The current mission and ministry emphasis of Witness,
Mercy, Life Together holds much potential for further growth and
implementation throughout the Synod; therefore be it
2013 Convention Workbook