# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2013_S157
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

LIFE TOGETHER
3-29

157

3-31

To Reinstate Full Obituaries in The Lutheran
Witness

To Affirm Work of Transforming Churches
Network

Whereas, The Scriptures encourage us: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God; consider the outcome
of their life, and imitate their faith” (Heb. 13:7 RSV); and
Whereas, “Life Together,” along with “mercy” and “witness,”
is a continuing emphasis of our church body, and that reality can be
strengthened by helping us remember those servants of our Lord,
ordained and commissioned partners in the Gospel, who have been
called to heaven in recent months; and
Whereas, 2010 Res. 6-08 led to ending the long-standing, compassionate, and family-supporting policy of publicizing the brief
summary obituaries of those “faithful departed soldiers of the cross”
in the monthly issue of our official publication; and
Whereas, It is totally inappropriate to dismiss those “faithful
departed soldiers of the cross” without providing a readily available,
relevant, print remembrance of their service to the vast majority of
readers of The Lutheran Witness; and
Whereas, The information currently provided—in an attempt
to “save space” for other items—is reduced to two lines, name and
two dates and a reference to non-specific Web sites (to which many
readers do not have current information or access) to find the helpful information; and
Whereas, The 2012 convention of the Eastern District resolved to
memorialize the 2013 Synod convention “To Reinstate Full Obituaries
in The Lutheran Witness”; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2013 LCMS convention strongly encourage
The Lutheran Witness to strengthen our “life together” by returning
to the former practice of publicizing for the entire Synod the brief
summary obituaries of those servant-leaders who have been called
home to the Lord.
Eastern District
3-30

Whereas, Transforming Churches Network (TCN) is currently
under the auspices of our LCMS Board for National Mission; and
Whereas, TCN is a recognized service organization (RSO) of the
LCMS and partners with 32 of our LCMS districts; and
Whereas, TCN’s statement of faith is consistent with and supportive of the doctrine and confession of the LCMS as found on their
public Web site; and
Whereas, TCN hosts and resources important training events
in and around our church body for those who are involved in church
revitalization efforts; and
Whereas, TCN is an important coordinating arm for districts
and churches around the LCMS who are trying to work together in
mission to enliven and revitalize churches through the sound teaching of the Scripture, the use of the Sacraments, and the Lutheran
Confessions, while utilizing faithful and encouraging practices to
focus congregations and their leaders upon making disciples of all
nations, beginning in their own communities; therefore be it
Resolved, That the CNH District of the LCMS affirm its support
for the Transforming Churches Network in its 2012 convention; and
be it further
Resolved, That TCN be given opportunity in our CNH District
publications to give updates and communication in regards to its work
so that clear communication regarding its work might be available
to our district and by extension to the church body at large; and be
it further
Resolved, That the CNH District encourage our board of directors to send ongoing funding from our district budget annually to
TCN; and be it finally
Resolved, That the CNH District memorialize the LCMS in convention encouraging the entire church body to reaffirm its support of
the Transforming Churches Network in our 2013 convention.
CNH District

To Rescind 2010 Res. 6-08 re Publishing Obituaries

3-32

Whereas, The Scriptures encourage us: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the Word of God; consider the outcome
of their life, and imitate their faith” (Heb. 13:7 RSV); and
Whereas, From its very beginning the Synod has recognized the
contributions of dedicated servants of the cross by publishing obituaries in its official publications, listing areas of service and other gifts
that have benefited the life and ministry of the church; and
Whereas, These obituaries serve the dual purpose of (1) honoring the gifts God has brought to the church through the lives of these
our sisters and brothers and (2) informing the church of the deaths of
church workers so their families may be ministered to by the body
of Christ; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Witness continue to publish obituaries
in a timely manner; and be it further
Resolved, That Res. 6-08 of the 2010 convention be rescinded;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the names of survivors and congregations served
by the deceased be included in the print and electronic versions of The
Lutheran Witness when the deaths of rostered workers are reported.
Southern Circuit Forum
Montana District

To Revoke RSO Status of Transforming Churches
Network
Whereas, The Transforming Churches Network (TCN) is listed
on the Synod’s Web site as a recognized service organization (RSO);
and
Whereas, While TCN is concerned for the health of existing
LCMS congregations, the determinative factors of a congregation’s
health is based chiefly on numerical measurements and sociology,
such as attendance numbers and financial giving, but not on its adherence to the teaching of the Scriptures or the Lutheran Confessions;
and
Whereas, TCN has roots deeply embedded in Baptist theology;
and
Whereas, TCN advocates changing the main emphasis of a
pastor’s duties from “being the lead caretaker of the existing congregation to the lead missionary to lost people in the community”
(“Pastor Survey,” TCN, question 7a [http://portal.tcnbackup.com/
Portals/0/5%20Pastor%20Survey.pdf]), thus diminishing the pastoral care of the Law and Gospel that pastors have historically provided
to members of the congregations they serve (John 21:15–17); and

2013 Convention Workbook