# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2016_S193 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) To Encourage Faithful Teaching of Stewardship to People in Their Daily Vocations RESOLUTION 10-04 Report R6 (CW, pp. 32, 62–63); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, pp. 21–31) Whereas, “Christian Stewardship is the free and joyous activity of the child of God and God’s family, the church, in managing all of life and life’s resources for God’s purposes” (2001 Res. 2-07A, Proceedings p. 130); and Whereas, Growing in our Christian life into the freedom and “joyous activity of the child of God” is called sanctification (1 Thess. 4:1–12); and Whereas, Understanding sanctification through the various vocations (callings, holy orders, positions) God has given to each Christian in the home, church, and community is a prized rediscovery of the Lutheran Reformation; and Whereas, Martin Luther placed Scriptures that exhort Christians to faithful stewardship of financial resources (1 Cor. 9:14; Gal. 6:6–7; 1 Tim. 5:17–18) within the section of Luther’s Small Catechism (Section 3, Table of Duties) that deals with “various holy orders and positions”; and Whereas, The entire Table of Duties narrates our sanctification and living out of the Christian life through the vocations of clergy, hearers, civil government, citizens, husbands, wives, parents, children, workers, employers and supervisors, youth, widows, and every Christian; and Whereas, The Apology of the Augsburg Confession (XV) narrates the preaching and teaching that is characteristic of the Lutheran Church in this way: “On the contrary, in our churches all the sermons are occupied with such topics as these: of repentance; of the fear of God; of faith in Christ, of the righteousness of faith, of the consolation of consciences by faith, of the exercises of faith; of prayer, what its nature should be, and that we should be fully confident that it is efficacious, that it is heard; of the cross; of the authority of magistrates and all civil ordinances [likewise, how each one in his station should live in a Christian manner, and, out of obedience to the command of the Lord God, should conduct himself in reference to every worldly ordinance and law]; of the distinction between the kingdom of Christ, or the spiritual kingdom, and political affairs; of marriage; of the education and instruction of children; of chastity; of all the offices of love”; and has given to each one, in the sure and certain confidence that it is “God who works in us” (Phil. 1:12–13). Action: Adopted (7) (The assembly agreed by voice vote to proceed to a vote on the resolution without discussion, and by voice vote Res. 10-04 was adopted as presented.) To Encourage Greater Use of LCMS Communication Resources RESOLUTION 10-05 Report R1 (CW, p. 10); President’s Report, Part 2 (TB, pp. 21–31) Whereas, Under God’s blessing, the national and international work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) generates a wealth of inspiring stories and other resources for proclaiming the Gospel, teaching the faith, serving our neighbor in need, nurturing the family, standing up for biblical values, defending our religious liberties, and a host of other positive examples of mission and ministry activity and Christian witness; and Whereas, Considerable time, talent and treasure go into preparing and publishing The Lutheran Witness, Reporter, and Lutherans Engage the World and the online counterparts of these periodicals; producing content for an array of other communication vehicles like the Synod’s website, social media channels, LCMS ministry blogs, KFUO Radio, e-news and e-blasts; and creating the videos, photography, graphic design, and downloadable resources instrumental in telling the stories and sharing the news of the church; therefore be it Resolved, That we rejoice in our Synod’s information resources, and encourage pastors and church leadership to urge the people to make use of LCMS communications so that through the greater sharing of information we come to a fuller knowledge of the work of our national church walking together for the furtherance of the Lord’s kingdom. Action: Adopted (7) (The assembly agreed by voice vote to proceed to vote on the resolution without discussion, and by voice vote Res. 10-05 was adopted as presented.) Whereas, The Rite of Ordination requires our preachers to promise to “admonish and encourage the people to confidence in Christ and holy living”; therefore be it Resolved, That the pastors and congregations of the Synod hereby be encouraged faithfully and forthrightly to teach the people their vocations in home, church, and community from the Table of Duties in Luther’s Small Catechism, which includes proper stewardship; and be it further Resolved, That the Synod in convention hereby encourage each and every member of our congregations to live out the calling God “10. Stewardship: Funding the Mission” U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions | 193