LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 105

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MISSIONS

Whereas, Islam is a significant world religion in opposition to Jesus as the only Savior because it denies Jesus’
divinity, His redemptive work on the cross, and His resurrection; and
Whereas, Islam is one of the fastest growing religions in
the world; and
Whereas, The Pew Research Center has estimated (2009)
that there are 2 .5 million followers of Islam in the U .S ., with
the number of Islamic immigrants continuing to grow; and
Whereas, Already in the sixteenth century, Martin Luther
encouraged the translation and publication of the Qur’an and
wrote a preface to the translation, arguing that publication
was necessary so that Christian people would “be able to heal
some” of the followers of Islam and powerfully defend the
Christian faith; and
Whereas, Most Christians in America, including Lutheran
Christians, are woefully ignorant of the Islamic religion; and
Whereas, In the U .S ., Lutheran laypeople who know what
they believe and why they believe it—so that they can answer
questions as loving neighbors, co-workers, and friends—
are likely to be those most effective in communicating the
Christian faith to those outside the Christian faith; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention recognize a
response to the challenge of Islam as a very high-priority mission task that requires action from the whole church and its
institutions; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention urge LCMS congregations
and members to respond to opportunities to share the Good
News of Jesus by word and deed with those who are seeking answers to questions of faith and life in both the U .S . and
around the world; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention commend Concordia
Publishing House for the publication of books such as Muslim
Friends, The Truth about Islam, and How to Respond—
Muslims and encourage the use of these resources and the
publication of further resources to equip Lutheran people to
respond to questions raised by Islamic people; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention commend Lutheran Hour
Ministries – Lutheran Men’s Network for the publication of
its Bible Study: “The Challenge of Islam—Part One, ‘What Is
Islam?’” and “The Challenge of Islam —Part Two, ‘Defending
the Christian Faith,’”; and be it further
Resolved, that People of the Book Lutheran Outreach
(POBLO) be commended for their concerted efforts to highlight this ministry to Muslims, co-sponsoring the first ever
Friendship of Jesus and Muslims Conference in 2008, and
working to prepare Christians to share the love of Jesus with
their Muslim friends and neighbors; and be it finally
Resolved, That the convention give thanks to God for the
increasing number of new organizations which have already
stepped out in faith to share the Gospel in the world of Islam,
including missionaries of LCMS World Mission past and
present, workers of other Lutheran organizations dedicated
to work among Muslims, and many Lutheran congregations
and their members .

105

Action: Adopted (8)
(Res . 1-04A was adopted as presented after brief discussion
[Yes: 1,061; No: 11] .)

To Affirm and Encourage our Military Chaplains
RESOLUTION 1-05
Overture L1-14 (TB, p. 30)
Whereas, Our Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod military chaplains are serving soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines,
coast guardsmen, and their families in this difficult time of
war accompanied by major social and economic changes; and
Whereas, Our chaplains minister in a time when traditional biblical views of marriage, family, and human sexuality
itself are also being challenged, including potential moves
which may allow homosexuals to serve openly in our armed
forces; and
Whereas, Our chaplains are consistently called upon by
commanders and senior leaders to provide sound and godly
advice and counsel on these difficult issues that affect the
morals, morale, and the welfare of military members and their
families; and
Whereas, Our Synod has already spoken clearly in convention affirming the sanctity of marriage and the rejection of
same-sex unions (1998 Res . 3-21); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod affirm and encourage our chaplains to continue faithfully to preach and teach the truth of
God’s Word “in season and out of season” and faithfully carry
out their pastoral functions in service to the men and women
of the military in all areas of life, including complex issues of
human sexuality as well as marriage and family living; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Synod give thanks and praise to God
for sending godly and dedicated pastors to serve as chaplains,
asking God to bless them in this challenging and often dangerous ministry of strengthening and comforting the faithful
and calling the lost into the loving arms of God .
Action: Adopted (8)
(During the discussion of the resolution, a delegate expressed
personal thanks to chaplains serving our nation’s Armed Forces,
prompting a standing ovation by the assembly in recognition of
the service of military chaplains and a near-unanimous adoption of
Res . 1-05 [Yes: 1,094; No: 2] .)

To Encourage Participation in “Operation
Barnabas”
RESOLUTION 1-06
Overture 1-05 (CW, p. 150)
Whereas, Large numbers of LCMS men and women,
together with numerous others, are making enormous sacrifices as members of the Armed Services to make it possible
for the citizens of the U .S . to live in peace and safety; and
Whereas, The U .S . Department of Defense estimates
that one out of six servicemen and women who return from
2010 Convention Proceedings