LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 130

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130

RESOLUTIONS

vice of women in the church, the relationship between the
pastoral office and the priesthood of all believers, etc.); and
WHEREAS, During the last triennium, the President of
the Synod called for a series of theological conferences for
the purpose of discussing issues of concern and disagreement in the LCMS as a way of promoting greater unity,
trust, and harmony in the Synod; and
WHEREAS, The Model Theological Conference in Phoenix
(August, 2002) was the beginning of a process carried out in
every District of the Synod whereby honest and fraternal
discussion on important and sensitive issues took place;
and
WHEREAS, The reports from these conferences indicated
that participants greatly appreciated the opportunity to
discuss these issues and benefited in significant ways from
the dialogue that took place; therefore be it
Resolved, That we give thanks to God for the way in
which these conferences have contributed to the goal of promoting honest dialogue, greater understanding, and growing consensus on difficult and sensitive issues currently facing the LCMS; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge the joint Commission on Theology and Church Relations/Council of Presidents Theological
Conference Planning Committee to continue the planning
of such conferences in the Synod in the next triennium, focusing on issues such as those noted above for the purpose
of maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
(Eph. 4:3), strengthening our agreement in doctrine, and
fostering a faithful and responsible application of this doctrine—all for the sake of the church’s mission to proclaim
boldly and faithfully the saving truth of the Gospel of
Christ to the world; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod, in convention, encourage Districts to conduct theological conferences that are open to
the laity.
Action: Adopted (5)
(During debate an amendment to add a final resolve was accepted by common consent: Resolved, That the Synod in convention encourage Districts to conduct theological conferences that are
open to the laity. The resolution was adopted as amended [Yes:
990; No: 155].)

To Affirm Marriage as Union
of One Man and One Woman
RESOLUTION 3-05A
Overtures 3-71–74 (CW, pp. 185–186)
WHEREAS, The LCMS, in convention, in 1973, stated in
Res. 2-04 (Proceedings, p. 110): “That the Synod recognize
homophile behavior as intrinsically sinful” (Lev. 18:22;
20:13; Rom. 1:24–27); and
WHEREAS, The Gospel declares that Jesus Christ is the
atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2) and
that Christ, who knew no sin, was made to be our sin so
that in Him we might become the righteousness of God
(2 Cor. 5:21); and
WHEREAS, The church’s proper evangelical work is to
proclaim the reconciliation of the sinner to God in the death
of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:18–19); and
2004 Convention Proceedings

WHEREAS, The Synod, in convention (2001 Res. 2-08A),
encouraged its congregations “to minister to homosexuals
and their families in a spirit of compassion and humility,
recognizing that ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God, and are justified freely by His grace, through the
redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:23–24)”; and
WHEREAS, Many in American society are demanding
legal recognition of same-sex unions as “marriages” by appeals to “equality under the law” (e.g., the Supreme Court
of the State of Massachusetts, Feb. 4, 2004); and
WHEREAS, God gave marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His bride the Church (Eph.
5:32); and
WHEREAS, Homosexual behavior is prohibited in the Old
and New Testaments (Lev. 18:22, 24; 20:13; 1 Cor. 6:9–20;
1 Tim. 1:10) as contrary to the Creator’s design (Rom.
1:26–27); and
WHEREAS, For our Synod to be silent, especially in the
present context, could be viewed as acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod urge its members to give a
public witness from Scripture against the social acceptance
and legal recognition of homosexual “marriage”; and be it
further
Resolved, That in ministering to homosexuals, “A Plan
for Ministry to Homosexuals and Their Families,” prepared
by the President’s Task Force, be commended as a resource
for study and a guide for pastoral care; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of the Synod deal with sexual sins with the same love and concern as all other sins,
calling for repentance and offering forgiveness in the Good
News of Jesus Christ when there is repentance; and be it
further
Resolved, That husbands and wives give thanks to God
for the blessings of marriage, lead a chaste and decent life,
and each love and honor one’s spouse; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS, in convention, affirm, on the
basis of Scripture, marriage as the lifelong union of one man
and one woman (Gen. 2:2–24; Matt. 19:5–6).
Action: Adopted (5)
(During discussion an amendment was offered and accepted
unanimously to add a sixth whereas to read: WHEREAS, God gave
marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His
bride the Church (Eph. 5:32); and. The resolution was adopted as
amended [Yes: 1,163; No: 22].)

To Commend CTCR Report on Guidelines
for Participation in Civic Events
RESOLUTION 3-06A
Reports 1-8, 3-01 (CW, pp. 5–7, 70); Overtures 3-02–09,
3-12, 3-14–25, 7-08 (CW, pp. 159–166, 252–254)
WHEREAS, The 2001 convention of the Synod adopted
Res. 3-07A, which commended “for continued use and guidance” the study materials prepared by President Barry and
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)
on The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship and
their “Report on Synodical Discussions”; and
WHEREAS, The “Report on Synodical Discussions” included paragraphs on “Cases of Discretion” that offer guide-