LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 147

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CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES 147

Resolved, That we conclude that the entire plan has two funda-
mental] intellectual flaws:

I. To its credit it condemns homosexual behavior as contrary to
God’s Law, but it creates a fuzzy uncertainty as to homosexual
orientation, which leaves the impression that homosexuals may
be born that way, when in fact the overwhelming reports by sex-
ologists and researchers is that there is no reliable research that
substantiates a biological or genetic cause for homosexuality;
but on the contrary these reports of sexologists and researchers
conclude that homosexual orientation is a chosen lifestyle; and

. The plan downplays and relegates to a secondary afterthought
status the existence of reparative therapies whereby persons who
are orientated in the direction of homosexuality are that way by
choice, and there are reparative therapies available to them that
should be the primary emphasis of any organization concerned
about this issue, particularly the Christian church known as the
LCMS; and be it further

Resolved, That the 2001 convention of the LCMS reject the re-
port in its current form and request that the plan be revised to re-
flect the concerns expressed in this overture; and be it finally

Resolved, That the convention make the following statements
relative to the political agenda being advocated by homosexual ac-
tivists in America:

1. That God’s Word in the Bible is clear that marriage is between
one man and one woman.

2. That if a person identifies himself as a person with a homosexual
orientation that he not be ordained in the LCMS clergy or a com-
missioned minister in the LCMS.

Our Savior, Fullerton, CA; Holy Cross, Kerrville, TX;
Trinity, New Haven, MO; Immanuel, San Antonio, TX;
Peace, Neenah, WI; Faith, Corning, NY; Trinity,
Bridgeton, MO; Concordia, Fair Haven, MN; Redeemer,
John Day, OR; Mount Calvary, Pittsburgh, PA; Immanuel,
Van Buren, MO; St. Paul, Mondovi, WI; Our Redeemer,
Cushing, OK; St. Paul, Iron River, MI; St. Paul, Memphis,
MO; Our Saviour, Monticello, IN; Trinity, West Allis, WI

to

2-41

To Revise 1999 Report re Ministry to Homosexuals

Wrereas, In 1999 the Task Force on Ministry to Homosexuals
and Their Families issued its report titled, “A Plan for Ministry to
Homosexuals and Their Families”; and

WHEREAS, This report does not adequately address the problem
of homosexuality as being a sin and therefore not an intended bio-
logical part of God’s creation; and

WHEREAS, Even though we are born in sin and are by nature sin-
ful, there is not a single biological trait or substance that we are
born with which can be called a sin; and

WHEREAS, The confusion on this subject raises anew in our
midst the old Manichean position that the Lutheran Confessions
soundly and clearly refuted; therefore be it

Resolved, That this 1999 report by the Task Force on Ministry
to Homosexuals and Their Families be revised in order to clearly
state the Lutheran Confessions’ biblical position on this subject.

St. John, Owensville, MO; Pilgrim, Linn, MO

2-42
To Commend CPH for New Materials

WHEREAS, The Southern [Illinois District in convention on
March 1, 1997, memorialized The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod to direct Concordia Publishing House to develop academic
textbooks and other curricular materials for use in the Lutheran el-
ementary schools (Res. 4-12); and

Wuereas, Concordia Publishing House has produced Discov-

ery Works, a science curriculum for use in Lutheran elementary
schools; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House is considering a simi-
lar social studies curriculum for use in Lutheran elementary
schools; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House has provided promo-
tional support and teacher in-service at the Southern Illinois Dis-
trict Principals Conference and Teachers Conference: and

WHEREAS, These curriculum materials will provide resources
for Lutheran elementary teachers to use for the faith development
of the students in their classrooms; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Southern Ilinois District commend Concor-
dia Publishing House for its response to the needs of our Lutheran
schools; and be it further

Resolved, That all congregations of the Southern []linois Dis-
trict that operate a Lutheran school be encouraged to give careful
consideration to these curriculum materials for adoption in their
Lutheran schools.

Southern I}linois District

2-43

To Continue to Publish Good Materials re Creation

WHEREAS, There is a relentless effort by powerful forces in gov-
ernment, education, parts of the scientific community, and all the
media to attack, ridicule, and undermine our belief in a young, cre-
ated earth; and

WHEREAS, Our inability to explain some of the great mysteries
of creation, the fall, the flood, and other aspects of the early his-
tory of the earth in no way supports any and all claims of evolu-
tionists whose god is merely time and chance; and

WHEREAS, The attacks of evolutionists are not evidence-based
but are rather based on speculations about a universe without God;
and

WHEREAS, Many Christian church bodies and individual
churches have surrendered without a battle to what they believe is
“science,” falsely called; and

WHEREAS, There is an urgent need within the church to provide
good answers for the good questions our people ask; and

WuereaS, Our Lutheran high schools, colleges, and seminaries
are not providing adequate background for our future church work-
ers; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod be commended for the good materials
now available through its media, but that the Synod be strongly
urged to promote, publish, and use more good materials to respond
to the needs of our members; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod continue to declare, promote, and up-
hold its unwavering belief in our young, created earth, as revealed
to us in Genesis and elsewhere in the Holy Scriptures.

Trinity, New Haven, MO; St. Paul, Bonduel, WI; St. John,
Owensville, MO; Pilgrim, Linn, MO; Faith, Corning, NY;
Redeemer, John Day, OR

2-44

To Encourage Use of CPH Curriculum Materials

WHEREAS, The major role of our congregations is the procla-
mation of the Gospel in truth and purity; and

WHEREAS, Many LCMS congregations are seeking to extend
their proclamation of the Gospel through new methods of Christian
education intended to better meet the needs of their members and
the broader community; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Publishing House is the official publish-
ing arm of the LCMS and has historically provided solid curricu-
lums for congregational use in Sunday schools, Vacation Bible
Schools, Lutheran day schools, preschools and early childhood cen-
ters, midweek and confirmation programs, adult learning sessions.
and other Christian growth settings in the LCMS; and

2001 Convention Workbook