LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 111

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RESOLUTIONS
1. Missions
To Support Revitalization of LCMS
Congregations
RESOLUTION 1-01A
Report R1-01 (CW, pp. 39–45); Overture 1-03 (CW,
p. 133)
WHEREAS, In response to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the
Ablaze! goals of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod—
to share the Good News of Jesus with 50 million unreached
or uncommitted people in North America and to begin
2,000 new missions by the year 2017—will be accomplished
by the committed outreach activities of individuals in local
congregations; and
WHEREAS, The 2004 convention called for every LCMS
church to move toward being a mission outpost. Currently,
67 congregations are participating in a pilot program testing mission revitalization strategies; and
WHEREAS, A revitalized congregation is regularly and
consistently making new disciples and renewing its members in order that they make new disciples through the
power of the Holy Spirit; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention adopt a goal of
praying and working for the mission revitalization of at least
2,000 existing LCMS churches by 2017; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS through its districts, congregations, Lutheran Hour Ministries, the Lutheran Church
Extension Fund, LWML, and LCMS World Mission
through its national team support the mission revitalization efforts as a major component of Ablaze!
Action: Adopted (1)
(During discussion, a suggestion to amend the third whereas
paragraph by adding the words and renewing its members in
order that they after the first occurrence of the word disciples in
place of the word who was agreed to by the committee. The resolution was adopted as changed [Yes: 929; No: 199].)

To Prepare New Study and Increase
Emphasis on Priesthood of All Believers
RESOLUTION 1-03
Overtures 1-06–09 (CW, pp. 134–135)
WHEREAS, All Christians are called by God as priests
for the nations by virtue of their Baptism (Exod. 19:5, 6;
1 Peter 2:9); and
WHEREAS, Martin Luther declared that all believers are
priests called by God to declare the works of God (Luther’s
Works, American Edition, vol. 30, pp. 62–65); and
WHEREAS, The historic doctrine of the LCMS has clearly
affirmed the priesthood of all believers as stated in the
Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri
Synod (adopted 1932): “Since the Christians are the
Church, it is self-evident that they alone originally possess
the spiritual gifts and rights which Christ has gained for,

Committee 1 Chairman Robert Newton

and given to, His Church. Thus St. Paul reminds all believers: ‘All things are yours,’ 1 Cor. 3:21, 22, and Christ Himself commits to all believers the keys of the kingdom of
heaven, Matt. 16:13–19; 18:17–20; John 20:22, 23, and commissions all believers to preach the Gospel and to administer the Sacraments, Matt. 28:19, 20; 1 Cor. 11:23–25. Accordingly, we reject all doctrines by which this spiritual
power or any part thereof is adjudged as originally vested
in certain individuals or bodies, such as the Pope, or the
bishops, or the order of the ministry, or the secular lords, or
councils, or synods, etc.” (p. 14); and
WHEREAS, This doctrine must be clearly reaffirmed and
articulated in all parts of our Synod and faithfully applied
and elaborated in reference to missionary work entrusted
to God’s people; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in its 2007 convention direct
the Commission on Theology and Church Relations in consultation with the Board for Mission Services to prepare a
comprehensive study document which clearly presents the
biblical teaching of the royal priesthood and Luther’s teaching on vocation in the light of the mission challenges of
today; and be it further
Resolved, That this resolution be given high priority by
the CTCR; and be it finally
Resolved, That after approval by the Synod in convention, this document be used by the whole church, its congregations and church workers, and by the LCMS seminaries and universities in instructing students about the
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2007 Convention Proceedings