LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 106

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106

RESOLUTIONS

WHEREAS, The families of our Synod need the affirmation, support, and encouragement of congregations who are
building a comprehensive ministry to all people in all families; and
WHEREAS, Our Synod has made some important steps
forward in promoting family ministry, for which we thank
God, such as
1. the inclusion of more marriage and family-life courses
and concerns at our colleges, universities, and seminaries;
2. the creation and staffing of a Department of Family
Ministry in the Board for Congregational Services;
3. the new partnership of the Lutheran Family Association (in its ministry to individuals and family-friendly congregations) with Congregational Services (in its ministry to
the Districts and all congregations) that shows great
promise;
4. the emergence of more congregations that develop activities and provide staffs for family ministry;
5. the variety and number of resources available from
Concordia Publishing House are increasing among us;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the congregations of the Synod seek to
build a comprehensive ministry to people in families that
1. speaks for children in a day when many have become
children at risk physically, emotionally, and spiritually;
2. recognizes families and people at different stages of
the life cycle in the family;
3. teaches and models biblical teaching and values;
4. sees the congregation as a caring and supportive community that helps families place and keep Christ as the
center of the home;
5. models family-supportive policies for its own workers;
6. ministers to spiritually mixed families (where one or
more members are inactive, unchurched, other-churched,
or non-Christian);
7. offers its help to the families of the community; and
be it further
Resolved, That the Synod’s District and national offices,
colleges and seminaries, Lutheran Family Association, and
others provide the training, resources, and support needed
by the congregations of the Synod.
Action: Adopted (6)
(An amendment calling for deletion of the first whereas was
declined.)

To Promote Awareness and Provide
Guidance with Regard to Pornography,
Violence, Obscenity, Gambling,
and Indecency
RESOLUTION 2-04A
Overtures 2-73, 2-74 (CW, pp. 147–48)
WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus taught that we should live in
a manner pleasing to the Father as the Holy Spirit empowers and guides us through Word and Sacrament; and
WHEREAS, Members of the congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod are being increasingly subjected to pornography, obscenity, indecency, gambling, and
violence in all areas of media and especially with the introduction of the Internet; and

WHEREAS, The Synod, its Districts, congregations, and
other agencies may and should address such moral issues;
and
WHEREAS, The Synod has previously spoken at length on
such issues in a helpful resolution (1986, 2-08); therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Synod encourage such agencies as
the Board for Congregational Services, the Family Connection, The Lutheran Witness, the Reporter, the International
Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, Lutheran Hour
Ministries, Lutheran Youth Fellowship, and others to continue and increase promoting awareness and providing
guidance on these issues; and be it further
Resolved, That members of the congregations of the
Synod be encouraged to participate fully as Christian citizens and parents to promote awareness and provide guidance with regard to these issues; and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
meeting in convention authorize the President of the Synod
to communicate the deep disappointment of the Synod to
any company or branch of government that publicly violates the morals and values taught in the Scriptures by
their policies and practices; and be it finally
Resolved, That the President of the Synod communicate
our support to those Christian organizations who publicly
stand against the immoral lifestyles in our world today (for
example, Focus on the Family, American Family Association, the Southern Baptist Convention, Assemblies of God,
The Catholic League, and others).
Action: Adopted as amended (6)
(By common consent the word Gambling was added in the
title after Obscenity and after indecency in the second whereas.
The last two resolves were added as a result of an adopted
amendment.)

To Protect and Promote Freedom
of Religion and Religious Expression
RESOLUTION 2-05A
Overtures 2-67–68 (CW, pp. 145–46)
WHEREAS, The United States of America was founded on
the Judeo-Christian ethic and this cornerstone has been
publicly recognized and affirmed; and
WHEREAS, A part of America’s heritage is a commitment
to freedom of religion and religious expression; and
WHEREAS, Freedom of religion and religious expression
is constantly under attack; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod and its members work to promote and protect freedom of religion and religious expression both at home and abroad; and be it further
Resolved, That realizing that the strength of any freedom is in its constant practice, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod actively encourage all its members to publicly
and privately be in the Word and in prayer at home, school,
work, and church; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of Government Information
continue to inform the governmental agencies about LCMS
positions concerning public policy; and be it further
Resolved, That our congregations and their members
make use of the information provided by the OGI; and be
it further