LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 207

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6.Human
HUMAN
CARE
Care
6-01

207

6-02

To Join Lutheran Malaria Initiative as Official
Partner Organization

To State LCMS Position and Speak Up re Human
Life Issues

Whereas, Nearly one-half of the world’s population is at risk of
contracting malaria; and
Whereas, Malaria affects 500 million people a year and kills 1
million of them; and
Whereas, This death rate translates into 2,880 deaths a day, 120
deaths an hour, or 1 death every 30 seconds; and
Whereas, The vast majority of those affected by malaria are children in Africa; and
Whereas, Malaria is a largely preventable and treatable disease
worsened by poverty; and
Whereas, Many of the world’s wealthiest nations, including the
United States, are largely unaware of the crisis of malaria; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI) is an unprecedented collaborative effort to mobilize the nearly 8 million Lutherans
in the United States to join in the battle against malaria; and
Whereas, U.S. Lutherans have been a powerful source of change
as they are propelled by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ
and are called to reach out to others with this Gospel and to walk with
the most vulnerable, as Christ calls us to work for justice, peace, and
healing in the world; and
Whereas, The preventable deaths of 1 million people a year call
out for a compassionate response; and
Whereas, Lutheran World Relief (LWR), the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS), with financial support from the United
Nations Foundation, have been invited to participate in the initiative; and
Whereas, LMI’s goal is to raise $75 million over five years’ time
to combat malaria through intensified and comprehensive efforts in
education, prevention, advocacy, and mobilization of resources; and
Whereas, The suggested fundraising breakdown is $30 million
from LWR, $25 million from the ELCA, and $20 million from the
LCMS; and
Whereas, Funds raised by the LCMS for LMI will be channeled
through existing partner churches and organizations in African countries where malaria is most prevalent, as we cooperate with and help
to empower, engage, uplift, and support our partners in the battle to
prevent and treat malaria; and
Whereas, The LCMS Board of Directors in August 2009 heartily
endorsed the Lutheran Malaria Initiative as a priority of the Synod and
encouraged support by LCMS leadership and the program boards of
the Synod under the direction of the Synod President; and
Whereas, The LCMS Michigan District schools devoted their
February “Hearts for Jesus” campaign to educating children about
malaria and committed their chapel offerings to LMI; and
Whereas, Concordia Publishing House has expressed an interest in creating Vacation Bible School study materials around LMI;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS be prayerfully committed to the LMI
goals of education, advocacy, and fundraising to prevent and contain
malaria; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS through its agencies, congregations,
schools, universities, and seminaries support LMI; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS join LMI as an official partner organization for five years, beginning in 2010.
LCMS Board of Directors

Whereas, Holy Scripture teaches that human life begins at conception (Ps. 51:5); and
Whereas, In the sight of God and from the time of conception, living but unborn persons have lives given by Him that are to be ended
only by Him; and
Whereas, The 5th Commandment celebrates God’s gift of life;
and
Whereas, Human beings are those for whom Christ has died and
for whose salvation He has been bodily raised from the dead; and
Whereas, Christians are called “to speak up for those who cannot
speak for themselves” (Prov. 31:8–9); and
Whereas, Christians are called “to declare the praises of God”
(1 Peter 2:9); and
Whereas, President Barack Obama has signed the “Mexico City
Policy,” an executive order allowing for the use of federal tax dollars
to fund abortions outside of the United States; therefore be it
Resolved, that with one voice the LCMS in convention denounce
this action taken by President Barack Obama that is contrary to the
sanctity of human life; and be it further
Resolved, That all LCMS congregations be encouraged to use the
resources provided by Lutherans For Life; and be it finally
Resolved, That all LCMS congregations be encouraged to become
actively involved in speaking up regarding human life issues.
Circuit Nine Forum
Kansas District

207

2010 Convention.indb 207

6-03

To Commend Lutherans For Life and Require
Acceptance of LCMS Position on Abortion
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has always
insisted that the Bible teaches that life begins at conception and that
abortion is sinful killing; and
Whereas, Lutherans For Life has championed the right to life and
opposes abortion; therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention declare that no supporter of abortion should be allowed to remain on the LCMS clergy
roster; and be it further
Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention commend Lutherans
For Life.
Trinity
New Haven, MO
6-04

To Amend Bylaws to Allow Calls to Institutional
Chaplains and Counselors
Whereas, The LCMS currently calls ordained pastors to serve as
military chaplains, VA chaplains, and Federal Bureau of Prison chaplains through the Board for Mission Services; and
Whereas, The LCMS Commission on Theology and Church
Relations has recognized the validity of the divine call in specialized
fields of service, such as chaplains (“the call to proclaim Law and
Gospel does not take place in a vacuum. It occurs within specific contexts and situations. According to the second principle [recognition of
2010 Convention Workbook

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