LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 143

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6. Human Care
To Give Thanks for Disaster
Relief and Support
RESOLUTION 6-01
Overture 6-01 (CW, p. 227)
WHEREAS, The past triennium has been a period of unprecedented natural disasters; and
WHEREAS, These disasters brought horrific damage and
devastation and the displacement of families, along with
loss of employment, schools, and stability; and
WHEREAS, The people of God in the LCMS have opened
their hearts and have offered substantial time, talents, and
generous material and spiritual assistance; and
WHEREAS, Every national entity of this Synod and every
district answered the cries of distress from their neighbors;
and
WHEREAS, It is impossible to give thanks properly to all
the individuals and organizations that have so faithfully,
mercifully, and effectively responded to these disasters; and
WHEREAS, Martin Luther says in the Smalcald Articles,
“Therefore the Church can never be better governed and
preserved than if we all live under one head, Christ, and
all the bishops equal in office (although they be unequal in
gifts), be diligently joined in unity of doctrine, faith, Sacraments, prayer, and works of love” (II.4.9); therefore be it
Resolved, That the people of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod give thanks to the Lord for the good work
He has done among us through the untold numbers of people and organizations; and be it further
Resolved, That we pray that this historic display of compassion and unity serve to embolden our future witness of
the saving grace of Christ in Word and deed. Soli Deo Gloria

Committee 6 Chairman David Benke

ation, heart damage, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord
injury; and
WHEREAS, The pro-life position opposes embryonic stem
cell research (ESCR), which destroys human life in order
to obtain embryonic stem cells for research and has so far
shown no success for treatment in humans even though
touted in the media as the source of great cures in the future; and
WHEREAS, There are calls across the nation by many for
state and federal funding of ESCR; and
WHEREAS, Voters in the state of Missouri faced such a
campaign in the November 2006 election, which passed by
a narrow margin in support of ESCR, now allowing this
type of research in that state; and
WHEREAS, The Scriptures are replete with references
showing that God cares for and defends the weak and the
fatherless (Deut. 10:18; Ps. 68:5; Ps. 10:14) and, furthermore, that we are to “speak up for those who cannot speak
for themselves” (Prov. 31:8–9 NIV); and
WHEREAS, Christians are to let their light shine in this
dark world regarding this type of ethical dilemma, and
since the LCMS takes a strong and clear pro-life position;
therefore be it
Resolved, That in our preaching and teaching we emphasize that it is God alone who gives life and who is to
take human life; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod urge its members to give public witness against the destruction of human life in embryonic stem cell research; and be it finally

Action: Adopted (4)
(After a lengthy introduction by the committee and brief discussion, the resolution was adopted as presented [Yes: 1,177; No:
4].)

To State LCMS Position
on Stem Cell Research
RESOLUTION 6-02
Overture 6-03 (CW, pp. 227–228)
WHEREAS, Medical research continues to generate new
advances that create ethical questions which prior generations did not have to face; and
WHEREAS, Stem cell research, in particular, offers the
promise of delivering cures to debilitating diseases; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS is not opposed to all stem cell research as a means of seeking alleviation for disease; and
WHEREAS, The pro-life position supports adult stem cell
research, which does not involve the destruction of human
life and has been utilized in treatment of maladies such as
multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis,
sickle cell anemia, stroke, limb gangrene, corneal regener143

2007 Convention Proceedings