LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 167

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 167

WHEREAS, We minister today in a new missionary age in which
there is a diversity of cultures, people groups, and faith orientations
who live without the knowledge of God’s saving grace; and

Whereas, In response to the challenges of sharing the Gospel in
the new missionary age we must remain true and faithful to God’s
Word and Gospel and our Lutheran Confessions, yet willing to re-
spond to these challenges in ways different from those used in the
past; therefore be it

Resolved, That we focus on the Gospel of Christ and affirm our
blessings and mission opportunities provided to the congregations,
Circuits, Districts, and Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That we work together to take advantage of the mis-
sion opportunities that now exist; and be it further

Resolved, That for the sake of God’s mission to the world we be
open to new and different ways of communicating the Gospel to
diverse cultures; and be it further

Resolved, That we, as members of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod, commit to one another that we will grow in our speak-
ing and listening to each other in a spirit of Christian love, espe-
cially on issues that divide us; and be it finally

Resolved, That we encourage our congregations, Circuits, Dis-
tricts, and the Synod to approach divisive issues in the context of
the new missionary age through Scripture and prayer.

Board of Directors
Southeastern District

3-30

To Encourage Fellowship with Respect

WHEREAS, There is honest disagreement among the pastors and
laypeople of Synod regarding how and when to participate in civic
events, weddings, funerals, school graduation exercises and the
like, especially when clergy of other denominations are also pres-
ent; therefore be it

Resolved, That as the people of the Synod discuss the issues sur-
rounding the practices of ministry which involve an informed
conscience, that we affirm and encourage Christian fellowship with
respect; and be it further

Resolved, That the English District memorialize the 2004 LCMS
convention to encourage the same Christian fellowship with respect.

English District

3-31

To Encourage Trust among Servants
in God’s Kingdom

WHEREAS, The pastors in attendance at the Northern Illinois
District combined North and West Regions Pastors Conference in
October 2002, seeking to model and employ conflict resolution
procedures, unanimously passed a resolution regarding trust among
those who serve in God’s kingdom; and

Whereas, God has directed human beings to carry out His mis-
sion of seeking and saving the lost (Matt. 28: 18-20); and

WHEREAS, These human servants, lay and professional alike, are
called by God to work together with one another to accomplish this
mission as one body, the church (1 Cor. 1:10; 12:27-31); and

=" WHEREAS, God desires all His servants to act in a spirit of har-

mony with one another and with trust in each other so that His mis-
sion may more effectively be carried out (Eph. 4:3-6); therefore be it

Resolved, That all church workers and congregation members
be encouraged, urged, implored, and begged in Jesus’ name to sup-
port and defend and speak well of each other, always putting the
best construction on each other’s ministries; and be it further

Resolved, That when items truly involving doctrinal concern
arise, we will approach one another in a loving way to discuss them
with open hearts and minds while continuing to serve our Lord and
His mission; and be it further

Resolved, That we, by the adoption of this resolution, affirm to
our sisters and brothers in the church’s ministry, “While I may not
always agree with you, I trust you and pray God’s blessings upon
the ministry God has directed you to do”; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Northern Illinois District forward this reso-
lution to the 2004 convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, strongly urging its adoption by that body.

Northern Illinois District; Trinity, Roselle, IL; Circuit 6,
Northern Illinois District
—

To End Controversy and Center Efforts
on True Mission of Church

WHEREAS, Our Synod is again being adversely affected by
schisms that cause confusion and doubt on the part of our mem-
bers; and

WHEREAS, There has been much.conflict not contributing to the
number one mission of the church, which is to proclaim the saving
Gospel of salvation by God’s grace through faith in our Lord Jesus
Christ; and

Whereas, Even the most studied and researched decrees of
councils, conventions, doctrinal studies, and so on can be tainted
by man’s sinful condition; and

Wtereas, God indicates that sin is sin, neither approving nor
establishing one sin to be greater than another (John 8:3-11); and

Whereas, We as Christians are to put the “best construction on
all things” rather than constantly finding fault, ignoring the con-
struct of Matthew 18, and spreading malicious gossip to achieve
our own goals; and

Whereas, The apostle Paul has set the example that diversity
in ministry is important for the sake of the Gospel (1 Cor. 9:19-23;
Acts 16:3); and

WHEREAS, Many Christians may be scripturally offended
(caused to lose faith) due to the arguments within the church; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That we seek forgiveness and repent of our sins being
assured of God’s grace and forgiveness in Jesus Christ; and be it
further .

Resolved, That we first and foremost seek to fulfill the Great
Commission to proclaim the saving Gospel to all people; and be it
further

Resolved, That we respect the diversity within our Synod so long
as it is within the bounds of Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Con-
fessions as the true exposition of Holy Scripture; and be it finally

Resolved, That we recognize that extraordinary circumstances are
to be judged in the light of local conditions with the confidence that
our trained pastors, Circuit Counselors, District and synodical offi-
cials are working together in harmony and sometimes with needed
confidentiality to assure that first and foremost the Gospel of salvation
in Christ alone is being proclaimed in all its truth and purity.

St. John
Mexico, MO

3-32

3-33

To Review Commitment to Gospel
as Motivation for Life Together

WHEREAS, The Gospel provides the proper motivation for our
life together as a Synod; and

WHEREAS, Such a motivation manifests itself in faith, hope, and
love; and —

WHEREAS, Such a motivation should be determinative for all
that we do together in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and

WHEREAS, When legalism impacts the Gospel as the motivation
for activity, it will show itself in distrust, self-centeredness, and
fear; therefore be it