LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 259

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NATIONAL WITNESS
as necessary, to include but not be limited to representation from
LCMS Communications, CUS, and CPH; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force consider conducting field research;
and be it further
Resolved, That the task force recommend and advocate for
strategies and structural approaches to better serve the Church and
address the challenges posed by contemporary sexual ethics, and
recommend and coordinate implementation with Synod entities and
organizations that will best deliver resources to the Church; and be
it finally
Resolved, That the task force report to the next Synod convention
its work and further recommendations.
Board for National Mission
Ov. 1-07

To Encourage Synod to Develop Resources
to Aid Congregations and Schools
regarding Gender Identity Issues
WHEREAS, Before mankind’s fall into sin, God created Adam
and Eve to be distinctly male and female (Gen. 1:27–28; Gen. 2:18–
25); 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, Our society includes many persons who are uncertain
whether they are truly male or female, others who present
themselves as a member of the opposite sex, some who participate
in hormonal or surgical procedures in an attempt to change their
God-given sex, and yet others who reject that there are only two
genders; and
WHEREAS, Congregations, schools, and individuals in our
Missouri District are experiencing mounting pressures as a result of
cultural changes and legal challenges on this topic; and
WHEREAS, Many church workers and laity have asked for
guidance in pastoral care for individuals and families struggling
with matters of gender identity issues; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has
recently produced resources such as the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations (CTCR) document, Gender Identity Disorder
or Gender Dysphoria in Christian Perspective (adopted 2014);
therefore be it
Resolved, That the district in convention affirm and faithfully
confess the biblical truth that God creates people as male and
female; and be it further
Resolved, That the pastors, congregations, and schools of the
district continue to deal compassionately with those who experience
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, congregations, and schools of the
district continue to deal compassionately with the family, friends,
and all others impacted by those who suffer with gender identity
issues through the Means of Grace; and be it further
Resolved, That church workers and congregations in the district
be encouraged to study and discuss gender identity disorder or
gender dysphoria in Christian perspective; and be it finally

259

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
gender identity issues as well as with those who care for them.
Missouri District
Ov. 1-08

To Direct Districts and Council of Presidents
to Provide Strategic and Comprehensive Plan
for Worker Care
WHEREAS, One of the objectives of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod (LCMS) is to “Recruit and train pastors, teachers,
and other professional church workers and provide opportunity for
their continuing growth” (Constitution Article III 3); and
WHEREAS, Another objective of the LCMS is to “Provide
evangelical supervision, counsel, and care for pastors, teachers,
and other professional church workers of the Synod in the
performance of their official duties” (Const. Art. III 8); and
WHEREAS, Yet another objective of the LCMS is to “Aid in
providing for the welfare of pastors, teachers, and other church
workers, and their families in the event of illness, disability,
retirement, special need, or death” (Const. Art. III 10); and
WHEREAS, 2016 Resolution 18-02A tasked the Board for
National Mission to develop policies for assessing worker wellness
and make recommendations for worker care; and
WHEREAS, A report was made to the 2019 Synod convention
stating the progress of such policies, which includes a webpage on
worker wellness on the Synod website; and
WHEREAS, Worker wellness and health—physically, spiritually,
emotionally, and relationally—continues to be a significant issue
for the church, especially post-COVID and in light of a March 2022
Barna report indicating that 42 percent of pastors considered
quitting full-time ministry in the past year, and 46 percent of pastors
under the age of 45 considered the same; and
WHEREAS, Such statistics indicate the need to further prioritize
this Synod objective; and
WHEREAS, There were no resolutions passed addressing worker
wellness and care in the 2019 Synod convention, nor was there a
floor committee to consider any such resolutions (which followed
the 2016 Synod convention where the 18th and last floor committee
focused on worker wellness); and
WHEREAS, A significant aspect of ecclesiastical supervision is
“evangelical encouragement and support, care, protection, counsel
…” (Bylaw 1.2.1 [j]), a responsibility intentionally passed down to
district presidents to be more effectively administered on a local
level; and
WHEREAS, Such care takes on various forms and takes place to
differing degrees across the Synod’s districts; and
WHEREAS, The Texas District provides one model for care that
has positively impacted the health of church workers and their
families through a strategic and comprehensive collaboration of
counselors, coaches, and mentors, a model which could either
potentially be replicated by other districts individually or through
partnerships, or could serve as a guide to other district presidents
and the members of the Council of Presidents (COP) to develop and
2023 Convention Workbook