# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S142
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

To Commend Work of LCMS National
Housing Support Corporation

To Encourage Synod to Educate about and
Advocate for Persecuted Christians

RESOLUTION 3-02

RESOLUTION 3-03

Report R18 (CW, pp. 91–92); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB,
pp. 21–31)

Overture 3-02 (CW, p. 325); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, pp.
21–31)

Whereas, Our Lord commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31); and

Whereas, Paul reminds us in 1 Cor. 12:26, “If one part [of the
Body of Christ] suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it”; and

Whereas, Christ Jesus in His ministry on earth provided us the
most perfect example of living this command through His attention to both the spiritual and bodily needs of people; and
Whereas, Housing and community development services,
which address the basic human need for shelter, can play a vital
role in revitalizing LCMS congregations in areas that have been
economically ravaged and blighted; and
Whereas, The LCMS National Housing Support Corporation
(Lutheran Housing Support), the Synod’s housing intermediary
since 2007, has been a Christ-centered, collaborative agency committed to mercy; and
Whereas, The LCMS National Housing Support Corporation
has in the past triennium distributed 25 grants; trained 185 church
leaders in community development; consulted and assisted 80 entities domestically and internationally; conducted the first “Helping
Hand Initiative” of health and safety repairs in Fort Wayne, Indiana; and led a broad-based community revitalization initiative in
the College Hill neighborhood of St. Louis, Missouri, including
the development of new owner-occupied housing; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod thank God for His blessings and gifts—
most specifically, the resources and abilities that He has provided
to serve our neighbors’ needs of body and soul; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks for the work of the LCMS
National Housing Support Corporation on behalf of LCMS congregations, districts, and recognized service organizations; and
be it finally
Resolved, That LCMS congregations, districts, and recognized
service organizations be encouraged to support the LCMS National
Housing Support Corporation, as well as to engage its expertise as
they take leadership roles in strengthening neighborhoods near
LCMS congregations, thereby providing opportunities for Gospel witness.
Action: Adopted (2)
(After discussion, Res. 3-02 was adopted as presented, by voice
vote.)

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U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

Whereas, Christian populations throughout the world are suffering persecution of the most severe kind; and
Whereas, Many of these populations face extinction because
of their faith; and
Whereas, Many men, women, and children have been brutally
murdered or driven from their homes, becoming refugees in their
own homeland or interned in other countries, looking to a future
place to live; and
Whereas, Many have been kidnapped from their families and
sold into slavery; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod encourage pastors and congregations
to be better informed about the issue of the worldwide persecution
of Christians; and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Witness, Reporter, Lutherans Engage
the World, and other LCMS publications become sources of information and direction as to specific ways to help; and be it further
Resolved, That individual Lutherans, according to their conscience, be encouraged to contact their respective elected officials
concerning the plight of our persecuted brothers and sisters in
Christ; and be it finally
Resolved, That this convention take time to remember those persecuted Christians in light of the words of Luther, “You must feel
with sorrow all the dishonor done to Christ … all the unjust suffering of the innocent, which fills the world: You must fight, work,
pray, or at least have heartfelt sympathy” (Luther’s Works, vol. 35,
“The Holy Blessed Sacrament”), and offer prayer for them.
Action: Adopted (9)
(After its formal introduction by the committee and without
debate, the assembly voted on the resolution [Yes: 782; No: 1]. President Harrison, hoping for a unanimous vote on the resolution,
asked the assembly to vote again. For a second time, Res. 3-03 was
adopted by a near-unanimous vote [Yes: 788; No: 2].)

“3. Mercy”