LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1992, Page 114

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116 , , : . RESOLUTIONS

within the church regarding the theology and practice of
“the divine call,” utilizing the writings of C. F. W. Walther
(i.e., his book Church and Ministry and essay “The Con-
gregation’s Rights to Choose Its Pastor”).

Action: Adopted as amended (10).

(By common consent, the words, utilizing the writings of C. F.
W. Walther . . . Its Pastor were added to the final resolve.)

To Promote Greater Activity in Support
of Scripture’s Pro-Life Position
RESOLUTION 3-10

Overtures 3-80-86 (CW, pp. 205-07).

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has
urgently called upon Christians to “hold firmly to the clear

biblical truths that (a) the living but unborn are persons.

in the sight of God from the time of conception (Job 10:9-
11; Ps. 51:5; 139:13-17; Jer. 1:5; Luke 1:41-44); (b) as
persons the unborn stand under the full protection of God’s

own prohibition against murder (Gen. 9:6; Ex. 20:13; Num.

35:33; Acts 7:19; 1 John 3:15); and (c) since abortion takes
a human life, abortion is not a moral option, except as a
tragically unavoidable byproduct of medical procedures
necessary to prevent the death of another human being,
viz., the mother” (Res. 3-02A, 1979 Proceedings); and

Wuereas, The Supreme Court of the United States has
signaled the possible end of abortion on demand by its
ruling in the case of Webster v. Reproductive Health Ser-
vices, Inc., in allowing governmental authorities, partic-
ularly state and local governments, greater latitude in
deciding human life issues from the time of conception;
and , .

Wuereas, The LCMS has prayerfully and earnestly
sought such actions through convention resolutions, citi-
zen petition and participation, and the submission of ami-
cus curiae briefs to the Supreme Court as recently as 1991;
and ot ‘

Wuereas, There continue to be developments in the life
sciences (e.g., experimental use of fetal tissue and early
detection of unwanted genetic traits) that signal the pros-
pect of-ongoing concerns beyond the present abortion law
crisis, underscoring the increasing pressures brought to
bear on decisions to undergo an abortion affecting the peo-
ple of our society; therefore be it

Resolved, That the pastors of the LCMS be encouraged
to provide strong leadership in reaffirming the LCMS po-
sition of sanctity of life and to help those who suffer from
stress due to a variety of causes leading to consideration
of abortion, and to provide counsel for those who face the
tragic reality of post-abortion syndrome; and be it further

Resolved, That we call upon all members of our Synod,
via this convention, to bear witness boldly to our pro-life
position; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage all congregations to place

life issues under the auspices of a congregational commit-
tee, working with a pro-life resource and contact person to
become better informed about all aspects surrounding the
issue of abortion, to observe an annual Life Sunday, and
seek out all opportunities for extending the fullest protec-
tion of law for all human life from the time of conception

unti] natural death and exercise those opportunities in a
responsible manner; and be it further

Resolved, That each Circuit of our Synod be encouraged
to establish an active Lutherans for Life group, thereby
availing themselves of resources to promote the principles
of human life; and be it finally

Resolved, That our Synod continue to be a strong ad-
vocate for the protection of human life, for the improve-
ment of its quality, and for the safety of defenseless human
beings of all ages endangered by the current carelessness
and ruthless selfishness of our society.

Action: Adopted (6).

(An amendment proposing to delete the second-last resolve
was defeated. Also declined was an amendment to add, “Resolved,
That congregations and their pastors stress the sin of direct or
auxiliary involvement in the practice or counseling of abortion,

. and be encouraged to admonish and, if necessary, excommunicate

the impenitent.”

During discussion, an effort was made to introduce an amend-
ment relating to the destiny of thé soul of the aborted child. The
delegate who wished to offer the amendment was assured by the
committee chairman that it would be forwarded to the Commis-
sion on Theology and Church Relations for information as it com-
pletes its study on bioethics.)

.. To Reaffirm Synod’s Position
on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

RESOLUTION 3-11A
Overtures 3-93-94 (CW, pp. 208—09)

Wuereas, The practice of euthanasia and of assisted
suicide is becoming more common in our society; and

Wuereas, It is critically necessary to counteract a false
understanding of compassion in our culture which claims
that terminating the lives of those who are weak and help-
Jess is a compassionate act; and

-Wuereas, The Synod’s Commission on Theology and
Church Relations has provided a most useful instrument
in its Report on Euthanasia with Guiding Principles:
(1979); and

Wuereas, This study is more than 12 years old, and in
that time a large number of developments in medical sci-
ence and practice have occurred, with much additional
thought and many different interpretations of this subject
surfacing and being widely discussed; and

Wuereas, There is a growing need to provide spiritual
care and support for those who struggle with the issues
and burdens of caring for patients with chronically debi-
litating illnesses, including materia] support; and

Wuereas, The CTCR is currently working on an update
of its Report on Euthanasia with Guiding Principles; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the CTCR be urged to complete and dis-
tribute its update as soon as possible; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
in convention assembled commend to its members the fol-
lowing guiding principles found in the CTCR’s 1979 Report
on Euthanasia for reference and guidance:

1. Euthanasia, in its proper sense, is a synonym for
mercy killing, which involves suicide and/or murder. It is,
therefore, contrary to God’s Law. ,