LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 209

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Human Care
efforts to end the ongoing practice of human trafficking/slave trade;
and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage all of its pastors and laity to send letters to the United Nations Office on Drugs
and Crime expressing their prayerful support of that office’s efforts
to end human trafficking/slavery.
Southeastern District
6-07

To Provide Strategies and Resources re Gender
Identity Issues
Whereas, The Bible says that the Christian Church will always
suffer attacks when it takes a biblical stand for the truth; and
Whereas, Attacks on marriage and the family occur regularly in
America; and
Whereas, A number of New England states have adopted samesex marriage laws; and
Whereas, LCMS clergy and other church workers who echo the
Bible’s condemnation of same-sex marriage in light of the Sixth
Commandment come into conflict with society’s views in this matter; and
Whereas, The possibility exists that the day may come when
churches and church workers will be persecuted and prosecuted for
refusing to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies; therefore be it
Resolved, That the New England District (NED) develop and/or
provide strategies, resources, and professionals—theological, psychological, and legal—for churches and church workers to (1) minister
to those and their families who are struggling with gender identity
issues, and (2) support and assist in the defense of those upholding
the position of the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That the NED memorialize the Synod to provide
resources and strategies at the national level.
New England District
6-08

To Denounce Hate Crimes Legislation and
Advocate Christian Freedom
Rationale
Current hate crimes legislation is worded ambiguously and could
mean the end of First Amendment speech rights granted by the U.S.
Constitution. This bill could also limit pastors’ free speech from the
pulpit when condemning homosexuality and other such sins.

209

Contrary to what is heard from main street media and liberals,
the phrase “separation of church and state” appears nowhere in the
First Amendment of the Constitution: “The phrase ‘the separation
of Church and State’ actually comes from a letter Thomas Jefferson
wrote in 1802 to the Danbury Baptists. He told them that no particular
Christian denomination was going to have a monopoly in government. His words, ‘a wall of separation of Church and State,’ were not
written to remove all religious practice from government or civic settings, but to prohibit the domination and even legislation of religious
sectarianism. The Danbury Baptists had written to Thomas Jefferson
seeking reassurance that their religious liberty would be guaranteed,
not that religious expression on public grounds would be banned”
(Chuck Norris, Black Belt Patriotism—How to Reawaken America;
[Regnery, 2008], p. 23).
Whereas, Christian people are citizens in the world but not citizens of the world; and
Whereas, Christian people are called “to submit to the governing
authorities” (Rom. 13:1); and
Whereas, Christian people are called “to speak the truth in love”
(Eph. 4:15) so that “all might be saved and come to a knowledge of
the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4); and
Whereas, Our Lord Jesus Christ calls for the repentance of sins
(Matt. 4:17) because the “wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23); and
Whereas, Christian pastors are called to proclaim the whole council of God to sinners, including themselves; and
Whereas, The U.S. Declaration of Independence states, “That to
secure these rights [i.e., life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness],
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,—That whenever any Form
of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of
the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,
laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in
such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and
Happiness”; therefore be it
Resolved, That the pastors and people of the LCMS become politically informed, engaged, and active in their lives when such laws
as the “hate crimes legislation” threaten to violate their freedom of
speech; and be it further
Resolved, That the pastors and people of the LCMS take an active
stand on such issues when government threatens to encroach upon
their Christian freedom; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention direct the Praesidium of
the Synod to continue to speak out against such actions through whatever media resources are available and to encourage the members of
the LCMS to do the same as well, doing so in a Christian, God-fearing
way so that the erring brother might be won over.
Circuit 9 Forum
Kansas District

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2010 Convention.indb 209

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