LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 228

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228 HUMAN CARE

Resolved, That the Synod urge its members to give public wit-
ness against the destruction of human life in stem cell research; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the 2007 LCMS convention make known its
support of adult stem cell research and its opposition to ESCR
which involves the taking of a human life.

Immanuel, Cedar Lake, WI; Immanuel, Frederic, WI; St.
Paul, Bonduel, WI; Circuit 13 Forum, North Wisconsin
District

6-04

To Adopt and Honor Policy
re Not Placing Children in Homosexual Contexts

Wuereas, The Scriptures do not specifically address social and
political questions concerning the adoption (or foster care) of chil-
dren; and

WuereaS, The Bible does clearly teach that homophile behavior
is intrinsically sinful (see 1973 Res. 2-04); and

WHEREAS, Same-sex unions are, according to the Scriptures,
contrary to the will of the Creator and a sin against the Command-
ments of God (1998 Res. 3-21); and

WHEREAS, The God-given union of husband and wife in mar-
riage “is the only proper context for human procreation” (1983 Res.
3-14); therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod offi-
cially adopt the policy that placing adopted or foster children into
homosexual contexts is in opposition to the official doctrinal posi-
tion of the LCMS; and be it further

Resolved, That this policy be made specifically clear in the
guidelines/procedures of any LCMS-recognized service organiza-
tions that place adopted or foster children into families or homes.

Glory of Christ
Plymouth, MN

6-05

To Encourage Ministry to Armed Forces
Personnel and Families

Whereas, United States Armed Forces continue to serve around
the world and many of these service members are on their second
and third deployment; and

Wuereas, The stress of deployments in a war zone is tremen-
dous, not only on the service member but also their families; and

WHEREAS, Many of these service members and their families
are members of LCMS congregations; and

WHEREAS, The Ministry to the Armed Forces of the LCMS can
only reach so many of these service members and their families;
and

WHEREAS, The Northwest District of the LCMS through its
Ministry to Military Personnel, Families and Congregations Task
Force has developed an intentional and comprehensive plan for
ministry to this specific area of need; therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS in convention encourage all its dis-
tricts to develop intentional and specific ministry plans for reaching
out to the specific needs of service members and their families; and
be it further

Resolved, That we thank the Ministry to the Armed Forces of
the LCMS for their outstanding leadership and ministry and request
that they identify guidelines for districts in this vital area of need.

Board of Directors
Northwest District

6-06

To Encourage Professional Church Worker
Sabbatical Guidelines

WHEREAS, The word sabbatical is derived from Sabbath. Sab-
bath time is based on Genesis 2:1~4a in which God modeled and
later required (Exodus 17:8-11) the setting aside of one-seventh of
our time for recreation and restoration; and

Wuereas, Sabbath-keeping is a discipline of abstinence from
those activities that make us more self-sufficient than God-suffi-
cient; and

WHEREAS, Historically, in church and academia, professionals
were given a sabbatical every seventh year; and

WHEREAS, Professional church workers need to recreate and re-
store what has been worn down by day-to-day encounters with
stresses and strains of everyday life and ministry; and

WHEREAS, Nourishing one’s soul and regaining perspective re-
quires a change of pace and place—a pilgrimage. We can be
recharged by walking with Jesus during an extended time of re-
flection, spiritual encounter, and community; and

_ Wuereas, A sabbatical typically includes time for travel, rest,
prayer, and experiencing different cultures; and

WHEREAS, Sabbatical is a time to receive, to be nurtured, and to
reflect on one’s relationship with God and one’s own story so that
one may be renewed, refreshed, and revitalized for a life of service
to others; therefore be it

Resolved, That the South Wisconsin District (SWD) convention
adopt the “Sabbatical Guidelines and Resources for Professional
Church Workers”; and be it further

Resolved, That the SWD convention commend the use of these
guidelines in the congregations and agencies of the SWD; and be it
further

Resolved, That the concept and the use of sabbaticals be
encouraged among the congregations and agencies of the SWD as
it pertains to their professional church workers; and be it finally

Resolved, That the South Wisconsin District place in memorial
these very guidelines to be commended to all the congregations of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod when it meets in conven-
tion in 2007.

Sabbatical Guidelines and Resources
for Professional Church Workers

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; —
They shall mount up with wings like eagles.” (Isaiah 40:31)
The Continuing Education Committee of the South Wisconsin

District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has prepared a
set of guidelines to assist congregations and schools in developing
their own sabbatical policies. These guidelines, which are a further
development from those established in the LCMS Southeastern
District, received the endorsement of the South Wisconsin District
Board of Directors in their Nov. 10, 2005, meeting and include the
following ingredients:

1. for full-time professional church workers,

2. after six to seven years in a particular ministry,

3. for a duration of three consecutive months,

4. a plan prepared by the professional church worker in consulta-
tion with the congregation,

5. pastoral care and/or ministerial support coverage during the sab-
batical,

6. a report following the sabbatical, and
7. the payment of salary and all benefits.