LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 114

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To Encourage Districts and Congregations
to Utilize the Planting Gospel Seeds While Serving
Human Needs Training Process
RESOLUTION 2-11
Report 1-7-CMO (CW, p. 25)
Whereas, Christ’s disciples of all time are instructed in Holy
Scripture to care for both spiritual and physical needs (Acts 6:2–
4); and
Whereas, Jesus’ own ministry was characterized by a care for
both body and soul (Matt. 9:35; John 5); and
Whereas, The Augsburg Confession (Article XX on Good
Works) teaches that good works, such as are demonstrated in the
care for the neighbor or neighborhood in distress, are fruits of faith
created in human hearts by the Holy Spirit when the Gospel is proclaimed in its truth and purity; and
Whereas, Care for bodily needs served by concrete ministries of mercy (e.g., after-school care, food pantries, assistance for
immigrants, job-related transportation assistance, and English
as a Second Language classes) creates an initial point of contact
(“pre-evangelism”) and a means of developing close and trusting
relationships which form a basis for sharing a genuine Gospel witness; and
Whereas, The United States has been described as one of the
richest mission fields in the world; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend the LCMS
Office of National Mission’s Planting Gospel Seeds While Serving
Human Needs process as both a congregational revitalization and
church planting tool; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS Office of National Mission encourage districts and congregations to utilize the Planting Gospel Seeds
While Serving Human Needs training process and develop additional training materials to introduce, offer, sustain, and expand
existing efforts to encourage congregations to immerse and root
themselves in their immediate neighborhoods for the sake of proclaiming the Gospel.

To Speak re Employment of Women
in Military Combat
RESOLUTION 2-12A
Overture 2-10 (CW, pp. 147–148)
Whereas, On January 24, 2013, the U.S. Department of Defense
announced its intent to lift our nation’s Department of Defense
ground combat exclusion which presently prohibits women from
serving in ground combat positions, an exclusion upheld by the
U.S. Supreme Court; and
Whereas, The women of the LCMS may be subject to registering for selective service and a possible draft, as the rationale
provided by the U.S. Supreme Court in prohibiting this practice
was the Department of Defense’s ban on women in combat; and
Whereas, Biblical arguments against women serving in combat positions have been marshaled by many Christians, including
members of the LCMS, who strongly object to the Department of
Defense’s decision, such arguments being based on specific texts
(Gen. 1–2, Deut. 22:5, and Eph. 5:25); therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS support those who have a religious
and moral objection to women serving in ground combat positions; and be it further
Resolved, That the CTCR study this issue and produce a statement that can be considered and acted upon by the Synod in its
next convention.
Action: Adopted (5)
(Before introducing Res. 2-12A, the committee deleted the words
“and/or participating in the selective service system and being subject to a possible draft” at the end of the first resolve paragraph.
During discussion of the resolution as introduced, a substitute
motion was offered (Ov. 2-10 “To Speak Boldly re Employment of
Women in Military Combat”) which the assembly determined not
to consider [Yes: 247; No: 758]. When debate was ended, the resolution was adopted [Yes: 947; No: 63] as presented by the committee.)

Action: Adopted (5)
(After brief discussion, Res. 2-11 was adopted as presented [Yes:
869; No: 33].)

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