Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2019 · 67th Convention, Tampa › Page 389
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 389

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

NATIONAL WITNESS

389

called to serve in the Lutheran Church—Canada, a partner church
of the LCMS; and
WHEREAS, There are and will continue to be workers called to
serve in either Canada or the United States who are citizens of the
other country; and
WHEREAS, The procedures and policies for immigration are
complex and difficult to understand, as well as constantly changing;
and
WHEREAS, The procedures may take many hours to achieve and
can be very expensive, as well as be a potential hindrance to the
ministry to which the person is called; therefore be it
Resolved, That the English District in convention memorialize
the LCMS in convention to direct a board or staff person to either
be a resource person or to give direction for resources assisting in
the immigration process for those workers called from one country
to another; and be it further
Resolved, That the resulting LCMS resources provide direction
to the calling body about the immigration process and encourage
them to assume the final obligations in order to assist the church
worker and family.

Resolved, That LCMS member congregations and schools be
memorialized by this convention to consider consulting a child
abuse protection advocate, and the LCMS memorialized to consider
how best to assist schools in connecting with such a resource; and
be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS be memorialized by this convention to
provide resources to the districts and schools of the LCMS that
demonstrate the risks that children face, as well as proactive
strategies employed by various schools in the Synod and in other
denominations; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS report back to the next Synod
convention the steps taken between 2019 and 2022 to encourage and
assist schools operated by LCMS congregations or recognized
service organizations to proactively address child protection.

Board of Directors
English District

WHEREAS, The Office of National Mission has the right to call
pastors out of their parishes at any time to serve in the mission field;
and
WHEREAS, This right has been exercised by them, to the
detriment of parishes and circuits, during Advent and Lent;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the English District in convention memorialize
Synod that pastors no longer be required or asked to leave their
parishes for the mission fundraising field between Thanksgiving
and New Year’s Eve and between Ash Wednesday and Easter.

Ov. 1-09

To Memorialize the LCMS
regarding Proactive Child Protection
WHEREAS, Congregations and recognized service organizations
(RSOs) of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) operate
over 2,300 schools and have 230,000 students in their schools, and
the charge to protect all staff and students; and
WHEREAS, Statistics demonstrate that a significant number of
children have been exposed to sexual abuse in connection with their
schooling, and those involved with schools of LCMS congregations
and RSOs are not immune to temptation and the works of evil; and
WHEREAS, The Lord of the Church has commanded that
overseers protect those who learn, especially bringing children up
in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Eph. 2:6), and that the
actions of those who educate are being observed in heaven (Matt.
18:10); and
WHEREAS, Various “proactive” child sexual abuse prevention
measures have been advocated and implemented in congregations
and schools; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS is commended for taking steps already,
including engaging and recommending a national background
check provider; and
WHEREAS, Even one child protected from evil is worth the effort;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention condemn all sexual
abuse and misuse of God’s gift of sexuality according to the Sixth
Commandment; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS remind schools in its fellowship that
taking prudent proactive protective measures, including an effective
program of background checks and effective child protection
policies, can help reduce risk of harm for children in their care; and
be it further

Pilgrim
Green Bay, WI
Ov. 1-10

To Limit Mission Fundraising
during Advent and Lent

English District
Ov. 1-11

To Support the Continued Legacy of
Dr. Rosa J. Young through the Rosa J. Young
Memorial Committee at Rosebud
WHEREAS, The closing of Concordia College Alabama, a
ministry idea of Dr. Rosa J. Young, has left a deep chasm in the
hearts of members and congregations of the Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS); and
WHEREAS, The LCMS produced the movie, The First Rosa,
based upon Dr. Rosa J. Young’s book, Light in the Dark Belt—The
Story of Rosa Young; and
WHEREAS, The work and dreams of Dr. Rosa J. Young have not
had a strong advocate identified for continuing her work; and
WHEREAS, The Rosa J. Young (RJY) Memorial Committee has
generated a proposal to continue active support of the legacy of Dr.
Rosa J. Young with a plan of action, management, funding, and
advocacy; and
WHEREAS, The sale of the property of Concordia College
Alabama, Jan. 4, 2019, which included the housed location of the
Rosa J. Young Museum for more than ten years, forced the move of
the museum to a temporary storage location until an adequate
permanent location of the museum can be established; and

2019 Convention Workbook