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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 545

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

CHURCH AND CULTURE
his father and his mother hold fast to his wife, and the two shall
become one flesh?’” (Matt. 19:4–5); and
WHEREAS, Our confession of true marriage is tied to our
confession of Christ and his bride the church (Eph. 4:25–33); and
WHEREAS, Public opinion, popular culture, and Supreme Court
decisions cannot change what God has established; and
WHEREAS, The Scriptures also clearly teach that homosexual
acts are intrinsically sinful and violate both revealed and natural
law; and
WHEREAS, In the face of the virulent opposition to God’s
institution of marriage that is rife in America in these times,
faithfulness to the Bible’s teaching carries with it the prospect of
real social and economic costs; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
reaffirm its commitment to the biblical definition of marriage as the
lifelong union of one man and one woman; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS encourage its members and the
members of its congregations to remain faithful to the biblical
teaching regarding marriage even when they experience negative
and hostile reactions to such faithful confession; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS commend all those who have publicly
spoken in support of God’s institution and against those who would
subvert it; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS pledge its support by prayer and all
other appropriate means to those in this country and elsewhere who
are persecuted for their adherence to the biblical teaching of
marriage; and be it further
Resolved, That the church would be a welcome place for sinners
and would continue to proclaim Christ the friend of sinners, that all
people would be called to repentance and that the repentant would
be forgiven, and that all people would be called to find their identity
in Christ alone; and be it finally
Resolved, That in faithfulness to Christ, who laid down his life
for his bride church, that the LCMS in convention direct all its
officers to give public witness to the biblical teaching regarding
marriage especially when others are publicly attacking it.
Faculty, Concordia Seminary;
Faculty, Concordia Theological Seminary
Ov. 11-11

To Encourage Synod to Develop Resources to Aid
Congregations and Schools Regarding Sexual
Orientation and Gender Identity Issues
WHEREAS, Before mankind’s fall into sin, God created the estate
of marriage (Gen. 1:27–28; 2:18–26) “for the mutual
companionship, help, and support that each person ought to receive
from each other, that man and woman may find delight in one
another and for the procreation of children” (Lutheran Service
Book, p. 275); and
WHEREAS, After mankind’s fall into sin, Jesus affirms that in the
beginning God created mankind “male and female” (Matt. 19:4);
and
WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that
marriages may be contracted between two persons of the same sex;
and

545

WHEREAS, Our society includes many persons who are uncertain
whether they are “truly” male or female, and others who regularly
dress and present themselves as a member of the opposite sex, and
still others who participate in hormonal or surgical procedures in an
attempt to change their gender identification from male to female or
from female to male; and
WHEREAS, Congregations, schools, and individuals in our
district are experiencing mounting pressures as a result of cultural
and legal changes; and
WHEREAS, Many church workers and laity have asked for
guidance in pastoral care for individuals and families struggling
with matters of same-sex orientation and gender identity issues; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has
recently produced resources such as the following Commission on
Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) reports: Human Sexuality:
A Theological Perspective (adopted September 1981); Response to
Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (adopted April 2012); The
Creator’s Tapestry: Scriptural Perspectives on Man-Woman
Relationships in Marriage and the Church (adopted December
2009); and Gender Identity Disorder or Gender Dysphoria in
Christian Perspective (adopted September 2014); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Missouri District in convention affirm and
faithfully confess the biblical truth that marriage is God’s creation,
the exclusive union of one man and one woman; and be it further
Resolved, That the Missouri District in convention affirm and
faithfully confess that same-sex marriage is contrary to Scripture
and to God’s design for his creation and in no way fulfills God’s
intention to bless his children through holy marriage; and be it
further
Resolved, That the pastors and congregations of the district
continue to deal compassionately with those who experience samesex attraction and gender identity issues through the proclamation
of the Law and Gospel, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, corporate
and individual confession and absolution, and the proper
administration of the Lord’s Supper; and be it further
Resolved, That the pastors and congregations of the district
continue to deal compassionately with the family, friends, and all
others impacted by those who struggle with same-sex attraction,
those involved in same-sex relationships, and those who suffer with
gender identity issues through the proclamation of the Law and
Gospel, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, corporate and individual
confession and absolution, and the proper administration of the
Lord’s Supper; and be it further
Resolved, That church workers and congregations in the
Missouri District be encouraged to utilize the following CTCR
reports: Human Sexuality: A Theological Perspective; Response to
Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust; The Creator’s Tapestry:
Scriptural Perspectives on Man-Woman Relationships in Marriage
and the Church; and Gender Identity Disorder or Gender
Dysphoria in Christian Perspective; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Missouri District memorialize the Synod in
convention to direct the Office of National Mission, Concordia
Publishing House, and the two seminaries of our Synod to continue
to provide resources that enable the church to confess the truth
boldly and deal compassionately with those who struggle with
same-sex attraction and gender identity issues, along with those
who care for them.
Missouri District
2019 Convention Workbook