LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 231

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HUMAN CARE 231

Resolved, That the LCMS, heeding the mandates of Scripture
and following the practice of the early church that regularly re-
membered its suffering members, intensify its efforts to recognize
and understand the widespread persecution of Christians through-
out the world of people belonging to other religions, and by way
of acting on their behalf (in upholding their freedom and easing
their suffering); be it further

Resolved, To observe a special Day of Prayer each year; and be
it further

Resolved, To thank the LCMS for past media information, to
intensify this effort, to recognize ministnes engaged in this activity,
such as Open Doors and Voice of the Martyrs; and be it further

Resolved, To help supply publications and Bibles to the suffer-
ing church; and be it further

Resolved, To encourage LCMS congregations to involve their
political representatives in combating such persecution; and be it
finally

Resolved, That a report concerning synodical actions on behalf
of persecuted Christians be presented to the next convention.

St. John
Toronto, ON

6-18

To Give Support to Persecuted Christians

WHEREAS, The Word of God calls us to love and support all
people, especially those of the household of faith; and

WHEREAS, The early church prayed for Peter when he was in
prison for the faith (Acts 12:5); and

WHEREAS, Persecution against Christians grows in many parts
of the world; and

WHEREAS, The press has provided very little information about
this bitter persecution; and

Wuereas, Our Lord Jesus prayed for all who would believe in
Him throughout all times (John 17:20); and

WHEREAS, Our government has the potential to help persecuted
Christians throughout the world through political and economic
means; therefore be it

Resolved, That Synod in convention encourage all members to
regularly pray for persecuted Christians throughout the world; and
be it further

Resolved, That we direct The Lutheran Witness to prepare a spe-
cial issue on the persecution of Christians throughout the world;
and be it further ;

Resolved, That we direct our President to use his public plat-
form to publicize this tragedy; and be it further

Resolved, That we join with other Christian churches in taking
part in an annual International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted
Church and encourage Christians of all denominations to remember
in their personal and congregational prayers those who suffer for
Christ; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage our members to write their repre-

.sentatives and senators in Congress in support of our brothers and
sisters who suffer for the faith; and be it finally

Resolved, That we ask a representative of the Office of Gov-

ernment Information to address this convention regarding this

issue.
Immanuel
Carlsbad, NM

6-19

To Address Worldwide Persecution of Christians

WHEREAS, More Christians will die for their faith in this cen-
tury than in all the preceding history of the church; and

Whereas, In over 60 countries more than 200 million followers
of Christ are being persecuted; and

WHEREAS, 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” (Heb. 13:3); and

WHEREAS, Scripture dictates to believers their obligation to wor-
ship God rightly (Ex. 20:3) and to let everything that has breath
praise the Lord (Ps. 150:6) and to let every creature praise His holy
name (Ps.145:21); and

Wuereas, God established governing authorities to punish evil,
to do justice, and to.promote the welfare of human society and
commend those who do right (1 Peter 2:13-14; Rom. 13:1-7); and

WHEREAS, The United States Senate and the House of Repre-
sentatives passed concurrent resolutions condemning persecution
of Christians; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod ac-
knowledge in convention the existence of the persecution of Chris-
tians around the world; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod encour-
age its congregations to pray without ceasing for those suffering
persecution as the church did for Peter (Acts 12:5), that they would
draw comfort and strength and remain faithful to Christ even unto
death (Ps. 119:156-57; Deut. 31:6; Matt. 5:11-12; Phil. 1:27-29,;
2 Cor. 4:8-9) and to pray for the persecutors as Jesus commanded
us (Matt 5:44; Rom. 12:14; | Tim. 2:1-4) in the hope that they who
persecute might become believers and defenders of the faith (Gal.
1:23); and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod send a
letter of appreciation to each legislator who voted in favor of the
resolution to condemn the persecution of Christians; and be it fi-
nally ‘

Resolved, That all those in attendance at the 60th regular con-
vention be encouraged to sign an attached enclosure to be submit-
ted with the letter to emphasize our gratitude for their stand and
commitment to those who are persecuted in Christ.

Enclosure

In the year of our Lord 1998, The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod resolved in convention assembled to thank the 105th Con-
gress for their stand against the worldwide persecution of Chris-
tians; and we have hereby set our hand on this day of July—, in the
year of our Lord 1998 and extend our utmost appreciation and grat-
itude.

St. Martin, Birch Run, MI; Board of Directors, Michigan
District; St. Lorenz, Frankenmuth, MI

6-20

To Support Concern for Captive Christians

WHEREAS, Evidence of persecution of Christians in many parts
of the world in the forms of torture, enslavement, rape, and murder
have been brought to light in recent years by our own Lutheran
Witness, our Synod’s Office of Government Information in Wash-
ington D.C., and the international efforts resulting in two Day(s)
of Prayer for the Persecuted Church; and

WuerEAS, According to such passages as 1 Corinthians 12,
Christians are to regard themselves as one body; therefore be it

Resolved, That those responsible in The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod for informing members of our church of this situ-
ation, particularly the editor of the Witness, Rev. David L. Mahs-
man, and the LCMS Office of Government Information in
Washington and its executive director, Rev. Dr. David Adams, be
thanked for their leadership in informing our church of this matter
in a more timely manner than most other religious organizations
and periodicals; and be it further

Resolved, That our Synod in convention encourage all congre-
gations of the LCMS to include in their weekly public prayers the
cause of captive Christians; and be it further

Resolved, That our Synod in convention encourage all congre-
gations of the LCMS to participate in the next Annual International
Day of Prayer in their local congregations; and be it further