LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 130

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3. MERCY
WHEREAS, The fall into sin has caused human life to be
devalued, as evidenced by cultural support for abortion and
the horrific concept of “post-birth abortion,” e.g.,
infanticide, as well as so-called “quality of life” measures
for the disabled and aging, e.g., euthanasia; and
WHEREAS, Jesus Himself proclaims, “I am the Way, the
Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6); and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Life Ministry has conducted
national life conferences in conjunction with the March for
Life in 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2019; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Life Ministry has prepared an
informational campaign known as Eyes of Life
(www.eyesoflife.org) to help each person see the God-given
value of all human lives; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS Life Ministry is working closely
with the newly formed Lutheran Center for Religious
Liberty (LCRL) to advocate for life-affirming policies and
practices within the civil realm; and
WHEREAS, Lutherans For Life (LFL) is serving the
congregations of the LCMS and all Lutherans who support
life; and
WHEREAS, LFL is a recognized service organization within
the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, LFL advocates for people at all stages of life
through various educational and service activities; and
WHEREAS, LFL is organized at the local level in chapters
organized within congregations or groupings of
congregations; therefore be it
Resolved, That we boldly condemn the most recent
actions of the states of New York (2017 Senate Bill [SB]
S2796), Illinois (2019 SB 25), Virginia (2019 House Bill [HB]
2491), and similar legislative actions, and stand with the
recent actions of the states of Missouri (2019 HB 126),
Alabama (2019 HB 314), Louisiana (2019 SB 184), Georgia
(2019 HB 481), and similar actions; and be it further
Resolved, That we actively and purposely continue to
proclaim the forgiveness of sins and provide Gospel love
and care for those who are hurting from the guilt of the
devastation of abortion or from premature loss of life,
especially mothers and fathers; and be it further
Resolved, That we commend the LCMS Life Ministry and
LFL for their work in advocating for the life, dignity, and
health of all people from conception to natural death,
particularly mothers, unborn children, those with physical
and/or mental disabilities, those who are gravely ill, and
those who are dying; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage each circuit of the LCMS
districts to send at least one pastor, one lay adult, and one
youth representative to future LCMS Life Ministry life
conferences; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage LCMS congregations and
church workers to participate in national (Jan. 24, 2020)
and local life marches and events; and be it further
130 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION

Resolved, That we encourage each congregation of the
Synod to avail itself of the resources available from LCMS
Life Ministry through Eyes of Life (www.eyesoflife.org) and
from LFL, to encourage its members toward a more lifeaffirming outlook; and be it finally
Resolved, That we encourage each congregation of the
Synod to utilize the work and materials of the LCRL in
effecting change toward more God-pleasing policies and
practices at the federal, state, and local levels.
Action: Adopted as amended (6)
Without objection, the word “from” was added to the second
resolve, prior to the words “premature loss of life.” It was also
proposed and received without objection, in the third-final
resolve, to add after “life marches,” the words “and events.”
It was moved to amend the first resolve to insert, after “legislative
actions,” the words “which will result in a greater number of
abortions and loss of innocent life” and, after “similar actions,” the
words “which will protect more children from abortion.” The
amendment was ruled out of order by the chair as not substantively
modifying the resolution. After further discussion by the assembly,
closure of debate was moved and seconded, and carried [Yes: 935;
No: 27]. Res. 3-02A was adopted as modified [Yes: 951; No: 19].

To Encourage Training of Our Pastors,
Church Workers and Congregations
to Recognize and Provide Pastoral Care
for Those Suffering from Clinical
Depression, Mental Illnesses,
and Other Mental Disorders
RESOLUTION 3-04A
Overtures 3-03–05 (CW, 401–3)

WHEREAS, Our Lord commands us to love our neighbor as
ourselves (Mark 12:31); and
WHEREAS, Our Lord also calls us to “bear one another’s
burdens” (Gal. 6:2) and clinical depression, mental illness,
and other mental disorders are a great burden for those
who suffer from them; and
WHEREAS, Paul, the apostle, reminds us, “If one part [of
the Body of Christ] suffers, every part with it; if one part is
honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Cor. 12:26); and
WHEREAS, Jesus, in fulfilling the Scripture, quoted Isaiah,
saying, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent
me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of
sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18–19); and
WHEREAS, The Psalmist declared, “Oh, taste and see that
the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in

Resolutions