LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 220

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11. CHURCH AND CULTURE
WHEREAS, Jesus also promised, “In the world you will
have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the
world” (John 16:33b); and
WHEREAS, God’s Word calls us to: “[r]emember those
who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those
who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (Heb.
13:3), and to “[b]ear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the
law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2); and
WHEREAS, The apostle Paul writes that the body of Christ
is such that it expresses “care for one another” and that if
“one member suffers, all suffer together” (1 Cor. 12:25–26);
and
WHEREAS, The Scriptures declare that “we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood” (Eph. 6:12) and we are urged to
“take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day” (Eph. 6:13); and
WHEREAS, Open Doors USA currently indicates that
worldwide every month, on average, 345 Christians are
killed for faith-related reasons, 105 churches and properties
are damaged or destroyed, and 219 Christians are detained
and imprisoned (www.opendoorsusa.org); and
WHEREAS, Society increasingly discriminates against and
marginalizes Christians and the Church; and
WHEREAS, Paul, the missionary, requested prayers from
the church at large saying, “Finally, brothers, pray for us,
that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored,
as happened among you, and that we may be delivered
from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the
Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against
the evil one” (2 Thess. 3:1–3); and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) must exercise sensitivity to the vulnerable position
of its missionaries, partner churches, and brothers and

220 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2019 (67TH) LCMS CONVENTION

sisters in the faith whose identities need to be protected as
they follow Christ and serve Him; therefore be it
Resolved, That members of the Synod be encouraged to
utilize the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
Bible study: “Why are you persecuting me? A Christian
response to hostility and persecution” [adopted 2014]; and be
it further
Resolved, That members of the Synod be encouraged to
use the LCMS “Pray For Us Calendar” for missionaries, “Let
Us Pray” weekly prayers (www.lcms.org/pray), and other
LCMS resources that support prayer efforts for the
persecuted church; and be it further
Resolved, That, without jeopardizing missionaries or
followers of Christ in nations around the world, the LCMS
continues to communicate prayer and support needs for
Christians around the world; and be it further
Resolved, That members of the Synod be encouraged to
support the Office of International Mission financially in
order to maintain the safety of and provision for LCMS
missionaries; and be it further
Resolved, That members of the Synod be encouraged to
pray regularly for Christians who are being persecuted
around the world; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention pray for
Christians everywhere who are suffering persecution for
the faith and ask the convention chaplain to lead us in
prayer upon adoption of this resolution.
Action: Adopted (9)
Without objection, the chair put the resolution to an immediate
voice vote, by which the resolution was adopted. Thereafter, its
work being concluded, the committee was dismissed with thanks
and the President offered prayer for persecuted Christians.

Resolutions