LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 117

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DISTRICT AND CONGREGATIONAL SERVICES
Development of Hispanic Ministries as soon as funding is
available; and be it further
Resolved, That the most appropriate organizational location for this position in the area of domestic cross-cultural
ministry be determined by the Blue Ribbon Task Force on
Synod Structure and Governance (BRTFSSG).
Action: Adopted (7)
(After discussion, the resolution was adopted as presented by
the committee after correcting Board of Missions to read Board
for Mission Services in the first resolve [Yes: 875; No: 112].)

117

Resolved, That we express our appreciation and support
to the LCMS Board for District and Congregational Services and the National LCMS Youth Gathering Executive
Team (Steering Committee) for their faithfulness in providing opportunities for our youth through the National
LCMS Youth Gathering.
Action: Adopted (7)
(The resolution was adopted as presented by the committee
without discussion [Yes: 724; No: 130].)

To Support Synod National
Youth Gatherings

To Encourage Christian Forgiveness
and Greater Use of Individual Confession
and Absolution

RESOLUTION 2-05

RESOLUTION 2-07A

Overtures 2-19–22 (CW, pp. 144–145)

Overture 2-12 (CW, p. 142)

WHEREAS, The purpose statement for the National
LCMS Youth Gathering states, “Through the development
of Synod youth gatherings, the LCMS Youth Ministry Office shall: (1) Provide opportunities for youth and adults to
boldly come together in the name of Jesus Christ to proclaim, celebrate, and witness their salvation through Him,
rejoice in the fellowship of their church, and be affirmed
and nurtured in their lives as God’s people through Word
and Sacraments; and (2) Provide an arena to raise the visibility of youth ministry in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod”; and
WHEREAS, 2007 marks the tenth National LCMS Youth
Gathering and 30 years of God’s blessings on Gathering
planning; and
WHEREAS, More than 200,000 people have been blessed
by God at National LCMS Youth Gatherings and impacted
by these events, and thousands more have been touched
through the stories and experiences that these participants
have shared with their congregations “back home”; and
WHEREAS, National LCMS Youth Gathering, endorsed
by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,

WHEREAS, Our Lord has granted to all Christians the joy
and privilege of speaking the forgiveness of sins to one another
(Eph. 4:32 and Matt. 6:12); and
WHEREAS, Our Lord has also given to His church the gift of
individual confession and absolution where the pastor’s word
of absolution is spoken to the penitent as by Christ Himself
(John 20:19–23); and
WHEREAS, Individual confession and absolution is clearly
set forth in our Lutheran Confessions as well as the Synod’s
explanation to the Small Catechism; and
WHEREAS, The opportunity to use individual confession and
absolution was a practice cherished strongly by Luther,
Walther, Loehe, and other prominent Lutheran fathers; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran Service Book offers rites and resources
for the use of individual confession and absolution for pastoral
care; and
WHEREAS, Individual confession and absolution is an important means of pastoral care; therefore be it
Resolved, That members of our congregations be encouraged to forgive those who sin against them and to joyfully
speak Christ’s word of forgiveness to one another; and be
it further
Resolved, That pastors and congregations be encouraged to
study the scriptural, confessional, and historical witness to individual confession and absolution with a view toward recovering the regular availability of its practice in our congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That the seminaries be encouraged to provide additional guidance through articles in the seminary journals
and in presentations to pastors’ conferences; and be it finally
Resolved, That both laity and pastors be encouraged to
make greater use of individual confession and absolution.

• fully and publicly supports the mission and vision of the
LCMS;
• submits its publications and resources to doctrinal review;
• submits its worship services and liturgies for review to the
LCMS Commission on Worship; and
• submits its speaker list for review to the LCMS President’s
office, a process the Gathering initiated in 1982;

and
WHEREAS, The National LCMS Youth Gathering has
been historically self-supporting and, in fact, has provided
for the financial viability of the entire youth ministry program in the LCMS; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks to God for His
blessings on the National LCMS Youth Gathering and for
the literally thousands of persons who have participated in
these events and worked on behalf of these events; and be it
further
Resolved, That the LCMS express its continued support
for these significant events in the lives of young people,
their congregations, and in the Synod as a whole; and be it
finally

Action: Adopted (10)
(The resolution as presented by the committee was adopted
after discussion [Yes: 690; No: 31].)

To Celebrate Significant Synod
Anniversaries
RESOLUTION 2-08
Overture 2-17 (CW, p. 144)
WHEREAS, Significant anniversaries for The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod will occur in the next triennium;
and
2007 Convention Proceedings