LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1995, Page 142

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142 RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
in convention express its objection to medical personnel
having any part in actively inducing death, even at the pa-
tient’s request or at the request of the family; and be it fur-
ther . re
-. Resolved, That the Gospel be applied to situations of suf-
fering and depression as opportunities to help, heal, en-

-courage, and provide hope; and be it finally

. Resolved, That the Synod speak out against any attempt
to legalize physician-assisted suicide and encourage its pas-
tors and people to do the same.

Action: Adopted (10).

“. (The floor committee changed the word Legislation to Legal-
ization i in the title. By common consent the words Lord who gives
were substituted for gift of in the first whereas. The fifth whereas
was‘added by amendment. An amendment to modify the last re-
solve to read, “Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage
its pastors and people to speak out against any attempt to legalize
physician-assisted suicide as citizens of this nation” was declined.

i

’ The words or at the request of the family were added by common

consent to the first resolve.)

‘To Give Thanks to God for Ministry
of Dr. Jean Garton

RESOLUTION 6-03 ©
Overture 6-09 (CW, p. 221)

WHEREAS, The Lord has blessed His church with the
gifts and service of Dr. Jean Garton for many years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Garton, through her written and spoken
words, has touched the lives of millions of people around
the world with a prophetic message about the sanctity of
all human life from conception until natural death; and

Wuereas, Dr. Garton, especially in her public work as
chairwoman of the President’s Commission on Women and
as founder and president of Lutherans for Life, has exem-
plified the indispensable contributions and unique compe-
tencies that Christian women offer the church; and

WHEREAS, Her efforts in the pro-life movement have re-
sulted in lives saved for time and for eternity, to the eternal
credit of our gracious God to whom is due all glory and
honor forever and ever; therefore be it _

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
in convention give thanks with Dr. Garton to our gracious
God for her many years of active, volunteer service to her
church in a variety of capacities; and be it further

Resolved, That we express our thanks to Dr. Jean Gar-
ton for her dedication to life; for speaking in defense of
those who have no voice, especially the unborn child; and
for awakening thousands of clergy and laity across this na-
tion to their responsibility for defending the littlest of
Christ’s brothers and sisters; and be it finally

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
honor Dr. Garton with a lasting legacy by faithfully main-
taining in its witness and work the divine principle that all
life is precious and must not be willfully destroyed by
human hands because all life is God’s gift.

Action: This resolution was referred to Resolution D.

To Commend, Instruct,
and Encourage Board of Managers
of Worker Benefit Plans
RESOLUTION. 6-04A.

Report R6-02 (CW, pp. 98-96); Overtures 6-12-18, 6-
20-25 (CW, pp. 221-24); L5-32 (TB, p. 19)

Rationale: |

Thirty years ago, our Synod wisely created the support
system known as the Worker Benefit Plans, with the ex-
press purpose of “serving those in His service.” Currently,
more than 50,000 pastors, teachers, lay workers, retirees,
and dependents are enrolled in the Concordia Plans. Areas |
of support include Concordia Health Plan, Concordia Re-
tirement Plan, All-Cause Accident Insurance Program,
Concordia Disability and Survivor Plan, the Pension Plan
for Pastors and Teachers. In addition, to ensure minimal
levels of support for eligible members and their dependents,
the Board of Managers of the Concordia Plans has provided
supervision of the Supplemental Benefits Program and the
Special Assistance Program for needy retired pastors and
teachers and widows of such workers.

During the 30-year period of the Concordia Plans’ exis-
tence, enormous changes have occurred, brought about by
many factors, including legislation, health-care costs, and
other economic factors. In the face of these changing cir-
cumstances, the Board of Managers has sought to continu-
ally maintain and improve the level of support and service
to those who are enrolled in the Concordia Plans. The days
and years ahead will bring additional changes and chal-
lenges that will require the creative and wise response of
the Board of Managers of the Concordia Plans. The man-
agement of the Worker Benefit program rightly belongs to
the elected Board of Managers empowered for this task.

Resolved, That this convention heartily commend the
Board of Managers of the Concordia Plans for faithful and
effective stewardship of the responsibilities entrusted to it;
and be it further

Resolved, That we instruct the Board of Managers to
continue to explore all options in providing the best possible
and most cost-effective health-care coverage for our work-
ers, including the possibility of out-sourcing the health-plan
coverage with reliable insurance carriers and administra-
tors, and by continuing to emphasize the importance of pre-
ventive health care; and be it further

Resolved, That we instruct the Board of Managers to
continue to seek ways of increasing benefits for our retired
workers, including health care, dental care, and annual
cost-of-living adjustments; and be it-further

Resolved, That we encourage the Board of Managers,
while seeking adequate benefits for the workers, to do its
utmost to continue to control costs to our congregations, in-
stitutions, and active and retired workers; and be it further

Resolved, That we ask the Board of Managers to specifi-
cally review and respond to the issues addressed in Over-
tures 6-23-25; and be it finally

Resolved, That we ask the Board of Managers to con-
tinue to be responsive to the special needs of survivors and
dependents and members facing unique circumstances as