LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 150

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150

MISSIONS

1-04

To Respond to Opportunities for Outreach
to Islam
Whereas, The Scriptures teach that there is salvation in no one
other than Jesus, “for there is no other name under heaven given
among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 ESV); and
Whereas, According to its self-definition, Islam is an alternative
religion to and a competing religion with Christianity; 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, Most Christians in America, including Lutheran
Christians, are woefully ignorant of the Islamic religion; 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, 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 2007 LCMS convention recognize response
to Islam as a high-priority 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 finally
Resolved, That the convention give thanks to God for those in our
midst who already have 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.
Board for Mission Services
1-05

To Encourage Participation in Operation Barnabas
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 Iraq suffers from
severe depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); and
Whereas, Six out of ten of these hurting people will not seek help
because they are afraid; and

Whereas, LCMS congregations in various places are served by
pastors/chaplains who have served with their reserve units in Iraq
and Afghanistan; and
Whereas, Many returning veterans in distress are members of
LCMS congregations or are friends or relatives of LCMS members;
and
Whereas, LCMS World Mission’s Ministry to the Armed Forces
has formed Operation Barnabas and has called Chaplain Mike
Moreno to serve full time to train and equip congregations and their
members to minister to the needs of Armed Forces personnel and their
families, both during their time of deployment and when they return
from the field; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention express its thanksgiving to God for the service of the very special men and women in the
Armed Forces who protect our country; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention urge its congregations to be especially sensitive to the needs of all military personnel who return from
combat, including those who are part of our communities while not
members of our congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That the convention urge congregations and their
members to take part in Operation Barnabas and to establish standing committees for military concerns, so that they can be prepared
to respond to the needs of deployed and returning servicemen and
women and their families; and be it finally
Resolved, That LCMS congregations and their members be urged
to pray for the safety of military personnel and for God’s guidance
and direction for the Ministry to the Armed Forces as it, together
with LCMS congregations and their members, endeavors to minister to all in need.
Board for Mission Services
1-06

To Provide Exclusively Lutheran Theological
Training for Missionaries
Whereas, The LCMS confession of faith is clearly biblical; and
Whereas, The impact of poorly understood or unclearly formulated theology in any mission outreach results in errors which impact
future generations of Christians; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Montana District in convention memorialize
the 2010 LCMS convention to direct the Board for Mission Services
to use exclusively Lutheran theological training and preparation for
missionaries.
Montana District
1-07

To Set Aside Reformation Day 2010 for Fasting,
Prayer, Confession, and Repentance
Whereas, Our Lord Jesus Christ invited His Church into mission
with Him by making disciples of all nations and baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matt.
28:19) and promised them the power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth; and
W hereas , Despite their commitment to Ablaze! and to
“Transforming Lives for Time and Eternity,” many congregations
of this district and throughout the LCMS have difficulty in establishing effective strategies to reach the unchurched and unsaved in
their communities; and

2010 Convention Workbook

2010 Convention.indb 150

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