# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_2023_S132
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

3. MERCY
church workers, congregations, schools, congregation
members, families, communities, districts, and the Synod; and
be it further

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) has for many years focused on supporting its
members and all of God’s people during disaster; and

Resolved, That all efforts to serve souls with mental health
needs will also consistently recognize and honor the need to
provide vital spiritual resources and gifts available only with
the provision of spiritual care; and be it further

WHEREAS, The Church at large has been faithful in
supporting such disaster response across the United States
and the world with financial, physical, and spiritual support;
and

Resolved, That these intentional efforts be focused on the
overarching goal of equipping and caring for our church
workers, congregations, schools, and congregation members
to better help persons both within and outside the Church
who are directly and personally or indirectly, through family
and other connections, affected by mental health problems or
mental illness; and be it further

WHEREAS, LCMS Disaster Response has continued to grow
and learn to be more effective in its response from its
inception; and

Resolved, That the ONM Health Ministry program unit, in
identifying and coordinating such intentional efforts and
providing such resources and programs, consider and employ
all reasonable means available to the Synod for the promotion
of mental health, including the provision of textual and
audiovisual media distributed by print and electronic means,
conferences, and other training events, and closely
coordinated collaboration within and between the Synod’s
agencies, auxiliaries, and recognized service organizations;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the ONM Health Ministry program unit
provide a standalone report on its progress against the abovelisted objectives over the 2023–26 triennium to the 2026
Synod convention.
Action: Adopted as amended (6)

An amendment was allowed and adopted by consent at the
closure of debate, to add the seventh whereas and the fourth
resolve. Thereafter the resolution was adopted by an immediate
and unanimous voice vote.

To Commend and Give Thanks for
Synod Work regarding Disaster Response
RESOLUTION 3-04A
Report R1.2.1 (CW, 12–13)
WHEREAS, Our gracious Heavenly Father richly and daily
provides us with all that we need to support this body and life
(Small Catechism I) and continues to provide for us, especially
in the midst of disaster, through various God-pleasing
vocations; and
WHEREAS, God calls us to recognize our neighbors’ needs
and to love them by showing mercy; and
WHEREAS, Jesus says, “love your neighbor as yourself”
(Matt. 22:39); and
WHEREAS, We are blessed that we might bless others,
especially in times of disaster; and

132 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

WHEREAS, In the last four years, the LCMS has responded
to many disasters nationally and internationally, including
Hurricane Dorian; Hurricane Laura; Hurricane Sally;
Hurricane Ida; Hurricane Ian; North Alabama spring 2021
tornadoes; DOXOLOGY fire respite in California; medical
supplies and clothing for Native American Reservations,
Texas/Mexico border missions, and the Appalachians;
pantries; food shelters; and Veteran Services; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for the
faithful, diligent, and responsible actions of the church, its
auxiliaries, and recognized service organizations (e.g.,
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Orphan Grain Train)
as it partners in response to disasters with the many different
organization and individual congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That LCMS Disaster Response continue to
produce training, resources, and grants to serve the Synod and
our communities and continue to provide to those in need;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod encourage its members to
continue to support the mercy work of LCMS Disaster
Response with prayer for all those who suffer from all manner
of disasters, to participate in Lutheran Early Response Team
training, to offer volunteer assistance when there is the
opportunity, and to provide financial resources to assist those
in need, as we show Christ’s love through our acts of mercy.
Action: Adopted (6)

Upon immediate closure of debate, as suggested by the chair, the
resolution was adopted by unanimous voice vote.

To Recognize and Thank the Synod
for Mercy Shown to God’s People
through COVID-19 Pandemic
RESOLUTION 3-05
Report R1.2.1 (CW, 10); Overtures 3-06–07 (CW, 271–72)
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic was catastrophic to
all people in their vocations; and
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily ended inperson schooling in the middle of the school year, furloughed
workers, caused them to pivot towards a digital presence for
which they were unprepared, and created stress upon the
financial well-being of many of their workers; and
Resolutions