LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 105

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To Recognize and Give Thanks for Military and
Institutional Chaplains

Whereas, Prison and jail ministry also offers many opportunities to share the Gospel with persons who do not yet know Jesus
Christ; and

RESOLUTION 1-12

Whereas, Gaining access to correctional facilities in order to
provide pastoral care can be a daunting task, especially to pastors
without experience in such work; and

Report 1-7-CMO (CW, pp. 18–19, 26–27)
Whereas, The Lord of the Church continues to call servants
into ministry with those who need special care; and
Whereas, In times of war and peace, our military chaplains
continue to serve those in the armed services often at considerable
risk and sacrifice; and
Whereas, Military members in harms way need to hear the
Gospel of hope and healing in Jesus Christ; and
Whereas, Institutional chaplains continue to serve in hospitals, prisons, care facilities, and university campuses and as first
responders, bringing God’s Word to those in need; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS gathered in convention recognize with
thanksgiving to God the service of all military and institutional
chaplains.
Action: Referred to the Offices of National and International
Mission (9)
(Res. 1-12 was one of five proposed resolutions (also 1-10A;
1-13A; 1-14; and 1-16) which were, without objection, referred to
the Offices of National and/or International Mission with a single
motion from the committee carried by a voice vote.)

To Designate District Coordinators for Prison
and Jail Ministry
RESOLUTION 1-13A
Overtures 1-06–07 (CW, p. 137)
Whereas, In Matthew 25:36 our Lord Jesus stressed the importance of ministering to those who are in prison by saying, “I was in
prison and you came to Me”; and
Whereas, The early church’s commitment to prison ministry
is reflected in the words of Hebrews 10:34, “For you had compassion on those in prison”; and
Whereas, In recent years the LCMS has intentionally sponsored conferences and training sessions in prison and jail ministry;
and
Whereas, Crime has touched virtually every congregation of
the Synod by way of membership, relatives, or friends experiencing the crisis of imprisonment; and
Whereas, Each district of the Synod has within its region some
large prison institutions and many jail settings; and
Whereas, Prison and jail ministry addresses God’s Word not
only to prisoners but also to ex-prisoners, their families, prison
staff, and victims of crime; and
R e s olu t i on s

Whereas, A designated coordinator for prison ministry in each
district will raise the profile of prison and jail ministry and coordinate and connect prison ministry efforts; therefore be it
Resolved, That the convention give thanks to God for the
increased efforts of the Synod, its districts, and its congregations
to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with prisoners, ex-offenders,
families of prisoners, prison and jail staff, and victims of crime;
and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS gathered in convention agree together
to have a prison and jail ministry coordinator in each of our 35
districts, either volunteer or compensated, for the purpose of
researching opportunities, training, providing guidelines, equipping congregations, and networking for prison and jail ministry;
and be it finally
Resolved, That prison and jail ministry efforts throughout the
LCMS include helping pastors and congregations become more
sensitive to the needs of victims of crime and their families, especially needs for healing and reconciliation.
Action: Referred to Office of National Mission (9)
(Res. 1-13A was one of five proposed resolutions (also 1-10A;
1-12; 1-14; and 1-16) which were, without objection, referred to
the Offices of National and/or International Mission with a single
motion from the committee carried by a voice vote.)

To Advance Native American Ministry
Resolution 1-14
Overture 1-12 (CW, p. 138)
Whereas, Our Lord has commissioned His Church to “[g]o
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–
20); and
Whereas, Our Lord has commanded His Church to “love your
neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 19:19); and
Whereas, Many Native Americans live near LCMS congregations; and
Whereas, During the past decade poverty among Native Americans has increased more than four times the national average; and
Whereas, The incidence of poor access to health care, abuse of
women and children, homelessness, suffering, and in some cases
even death continues to increase disproportionately among Native

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