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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 174

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

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174

IV. THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

More important for pastoral care, however, is the development of genuine Christian friendship
modeled after the One whose friendship knows no boundaries (Luke 7:34). Loving pastoral care
for the individual seeks to provide a spiritually nurturing, encouraging, and accepting “safe
place” to someone who may well have suffered from actual or perceived ostracism, mockery,
and animosity. He or she may view the church with suspicion or share the common assumption
that Christianity is more concerned with moral judgments, cultural battles, or political victories
than about broken and suffering people. In accepting the struggling individual, a relationship of
interpersonal trust develops. Within that relationship there will be natural opportunities to make
Christ known, to call the person to trust in his promises and love, and to show that the purposes
and commands of God for our lives are for our good.
Pastoral care in such circumstances will be challenging, to put it mildly. Individuals who have
had sexual reassignment procedures and then come to the conviction that their actions were
mistakes and were not God-pleasing will need special care and encouragement.22 In addition to
encouraging competent therapy (as noted above), the work of pastoral care for a such persons
will seek to treat their immediate spiritual needs, dividing Law and Gospel with care and helping
them to accept what may well be a permanent, difficult reality (cf. 2 Cor 12:7-9). Specific
strategies for working toward a renewed and God-pleasing life will differ from case to case. In
such cases it may be advisable for the pastor to seek permission to discuss the case with the
individual’s therapist. At all times, communicating the important truth of God’s persisting love
for us, no matter what we have done in and to our lives, is the center of the pastor’s care.
If the pastor is caring for a person who is struggling with sexual identity but rejects the Christian
church’s guidance in this matter, the pastoral task is similar to many other instances of pastoral
care in the face of sin and fallenness. Admonition and the call to repentance are needed; some
measure of Christian discipline may also become necessary. Pastors regularly require patience in
both holding to the truth of God’s Word while just as patiently seeking to provide loving support
as they seek to bring to repentance those who do not see that truth clearly or are otherwise
inclined to reject it. Support and counsel from others, including fellow clergy and others who are
in ministry, is vital to the pastor. This also includes seeking guidance from Christians who work
in the mental health professions.
In closing, the important pastoral tool of individual confession and absolution should not be
neglected, but coupled with pastoral counsel and genuine Christian friendship. Nothing is more
powerful in the life of every person—for all of us fallen people—than the forgiveness that is
given through the suffering and death of our Lord Jesus. It is the greatest responsibility and
privilege of pastoral care to proclaim Christ’s forgiveness, freely and graciously given, and
received simply by faith in our Lord’s promises.
Adopted Saturday, May 17, 2014
Commission on Theology and Church Relations
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

22
There have been a few cases when transsexuals engaged in further medical procedures to attempt to restore the
physical traits of their natal gender. However, that will often be an unrealistic if not impossible goal.

2016 Convention Workbook