LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 141

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6. Human Care
To Respond to Worldwide Persecution
of Christians
RESOLUTION 6-01A
Overtures 6-17–19, 6-20–22 (CW, pp. 230–32)
WHEREAS, The LCMS Office of Government Information
reports that more than 200 million followers of Christ
around the world are being actively persecuted; and
WHEREAS, It is projected that more Christians will die
for their faith in this century than in all the preceding history of the church; and
WHEREAS, In Heb. 13:3, Scripture commands us to “remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were
suffering” (see also Prov. 3:27; 1 Cor. 12:26; Gal. 6:2); and
WHEREAS, The United States Senate and the House of
Representatives passed resolutions condemning the persecution of Christians; therefore be it
Resolved, That we express our gratitude to the Rev.
David Mahsman, Lutheran Witness editor, and the Rev.
David Adams, executive director for the LCMS Office of
Government Information, and others who have brought information on these matters to the church; and be it further
Resolved, That congregations of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, through delegates at this convention encourage each other to follow the early church and pray
without ceasing for those suffering persecution and death
because of their faithfulness to Jesus; and be it further
Resolved, That we encourage congregations to observe a
regular day of prayer for persecuted Christians, such as the
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church; and
be it further
Resolved, That the President of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, on behalf of all congregations of the Synod,
send a letter of appreciation to each legislator who voted in
favor of these resolutions to condemn the persecution of
Christians; and be it finally
Resolved, That this convention provide opportunity for
delegates and guests to sign the attached enclosure of support emphasizing our appreciation for their stand against
these human rights violations, with copies being sent to the
President of the United States, the President of the Senate,
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Enclosure:
In the year of our Lord, 1998, The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod resolved in convention assembled to thank
the 105th Congress for their stand against the worldwide
persecution of Christians; and we have hereby set our hand
on this day of July 13, in the year of our Lord 1998 and extend our utmost appreciation and gratitude.

Committee 6 Chairman Arleigh Lutz

To Reaffirm Sanctity of Human Life
RESOLUTION 6-02
Overture 6-28 (CW, p. 234)
WHEREAS, After a quarter of a century abortion continues to be a legal choice in the United States for women who
want to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, although the
Holy Scriptures clearly teach that this killing of the unborn
is an abomination to the Lord (Gen. 9:6; Prov. 6:16–17); and
WHEREAS, Partial-birth abortion remains a legal choice
for late-term abortions; and
WHEREAS, The legalization of assisted suicide is being
promoted throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, God is the Author and Perfecter of life, and it
is within His wisdom to judge its quality and effectiveness;
therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
in convention reaffirm its historic position on the sanctity of
life; and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
denounce partial-birth abortion as a barbaric procedure;
and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
reject the legalization of assisted suicide; and be it finally
Resolved, That the congregations and schools of the
Synod proclaim the sanctity of human life through the
teaching and preaching ministry.

Action: Adopted (3)
(Delegates declined to add a final resolve stating Resolved,
That the President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
also on behalf of all congregations of the Synod, send a letter to
the President of the United States urging him to take a stronger
stand against human rights violations in China. Copies of the enclosure were made available for signing in the exhibition hall.)

Action: Adopted (3)
(In adopting the resolution the word remains was substituted
for has been made in the second whereas.)

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