LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 422

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422

CHURCH AND CULTURE

WHEREAS, The evil one, having been cast from heaven, is
continually at war with God’s people, and in times of plague, uses
fear to pull them apart from each other and from the receipt of His
gifts (Luke 10:18; Rev. 12:10, 17; LC V 26); and
WHEREAS, When we gather together in person to receive God’s
gifts, we are able to withstand the attacks of the evil one (Eph. 6:10–
18; LC V 80–82); and
WHEREAS, Historically the Church has thus recognized herself
as essential during times of plague, notable examples including the
1527 plague at Wittenberg and the 1597–98 plague at Unna:
Mark A. Preus, “Teach Us to Bear Your Blessed Cross: An Essay
on Philipp Nicolai’s Joy in the Face of Death,” Ross Edward
Johnson and John T. Pless, eds. The Mercy of God in the Cross
of Christ: Essays on Mercy in honor of Glenn Merritt (St. Louis:
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 2016), 299–307.
Martin Luther, “Whether One May Flee from A Deadly Plague,”
Luther’s Works, Vol. 43: Devotional Writings II, ed. Jaroslav Jan
Pelikan, Hilton C. Oswald, and Helmut T. Lehmann
(Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1999), 119–38.
and
WHEREAS, Historically, even in times of plague, pastors have
brought Absolution, God’s Word and Sacrament to the sick and
shut-ins when they were unable to be present at church and were
near death; and
WHEREAS, The current global outbreak of the highly contagious
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), with the attendant risks of morbidity
and mortality, has generated tremendous fear, moving governments
around the world to lockdowns and shuttering of nonessential
businesses; and
WHEREAS, Many state governors and provincial premiers have
declared the Church to be nonessential, shuttering congregations,
even for outdoor gatherings, while declaring some businesses, such
as abortion facilities and casinos, to be essential and keeping them
open, is a violation of the Free Exercise Clause of the First
Amendment (See Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, New York
v. Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of New York, 592 U.S. (Nov. 25,
2020) (supremecourt.gov/opinions/20pdf/20a87_4g15.pdf); and
WHEREAS, Due to concerns of disease spread and lack of
personal protective equipment, pastors and churches have been
threatened, fined, attacked, and forbidden to visit those who are
hospitalized and in long-term residential care facilities; and
WHEREAS, Where congregations have been allowed to remain
open, pastors have tried to dictate practices regarding the
administration of the Lord’s Supper that are at variance with
Christ’s institution; and
WHEREAS, We are to be subject to the governing authorities
(Rom. 13:1), yet where the authorities contradict God’s Word, we
are to obey Him rather than men (Acts 5:29); therefore be it
Resolved, That the English District call on the Synod to affirm
that weekly in-person gathering is essential for the health and wellbeing of God’s people; be more legally active in protecting churches
and pastors; and be it further
Resolved, That the district call on the Synod to affirm that where
a man ordained to the Office of the Holy Ministry is present and
available, congregations should continue the in-person
administration of the Lord’s Supper, even during times of plague;
and be it further

2023 Convention Workbook

Resolved, That the district call on the Synod to affirm that
congregations, using God’s gifts of science and reason, may take
steps to lessen fear and risk, while not interfering with the
administration of the Lord’s Supper as He instituted it; and be it
further
Resolved, That the district call on the Synod to affirm that the
bringing of Absolution, Word and Sacrament to the sick and shutin is essential to his or her well-being, and protective equipment
should be available for the pastor as it is for the health care worker;
and be it further
Resolved, That the district call on the Synod to affirm that in
Christian freedom (Gal. 5:1) and based on local realities, some
congregations may need to temporarily and briefly suspend public
gatherings, but that the deliverance of Absolution, Word and
Sacrament must continue; and be it finally
Resolved, That the district call on the Synod to affirm that, while
respecting God’s vocational calls to local political leaders and
public health authorities, they strongly condemn the forced closings
of congregations in times of plague, as well as the banning of
contact with those hospitalized or in long-term care facilities, as a
contradiction of His Word and thus outside the divinely-ordained
bounds of their offices in His kingdom of the left.
English District
Ov. 11-26

To Affirm and Protect Freedom
to Exercise Religion
WHEREAS, The government shall make no law prohibiting the
free exercise of religion (First Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution); and
WHEREAS, The natural right of all people to worship God
according to their conscience is fundamental to human flourishing;
and
WHEREAS, The free exercise of religion is not limited to the
ability to think religious thoughts, but also entails the ability to
participate freely in religious rituals; and
WHEREAS, Public gathering is essential to Christian religious
practice (Heb. 10:25) and that of many other religions; and
WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 crisis of 2020 many
government actions in New York state and elsewhere limited the
free exercise of religion; and
WHEREAS, These actions have resulted in real harm to members
of congregations in the Atlantic District of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod and others residing in our communities; and
WHEREAS, The Synod, and therefore the Atlantic District, shall
“provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and other
church workers in the performance of their duties and the
maintenance of their rights” (Synod Constitution Article III 9);
therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the Atlantic District
continue to perform the responsibilities of boldly proclaiming the
gospel of Jesus Christ to seek and save the lost and continue to
perform the spiritual care required for her members and community
with all necessary caution in light of whatever circumstances may
arise; and be it further
Resolved, That the 2022 Atlantic District in convention directs
the Atlantic District Board of Directors to petition the governor and