LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 116

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To Respect One Another and Put the Best
Construction on All Things
RESOLUTION 3-02B
Overtures 3-10, L3-44 (CW, p. 152; TB, pp.32–33)
Whereas, In these turbulent times, Synod officials, pastors,
congregations, and individual Christians are often called upon to
make difficult decisions in complex and critical situations; and
Whereas, Our Lord admonishes us to address private offenses
privately first (cf. Matt. 18:15); and
Whereas, St. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit,
addresses a public offense swiftly and publicly first (Gal. 2:11–14);
and
Whereas, St. Paul further writes, “[I]f anyone is caught in any
transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit
of gentleness” (Gal. 6:1 ESV); and
Whereas, Electronic and traditional media afford the means
to give and receive both direct and indirect offense; and
Whereas, Slanderous behavior hurts individuals, the Church
(which is the body of Christ), and the proclamation of the Gospel
to those outside the Church; therefore be it
Resolved, That members of the Synod encourage each other to
approach such situations with prayer, the study of God’s Word and
the Lutheran Confessions, the counsel of brothers and sisters in
Christ, and the desire to act boldly and faithfully on behalf of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further
Resolved, That we recognize that because such situations vary
from place to place, local pastors, congregations, and officials are
ordinarily in a better position to make responsible decisions than
those who are farther away; and be it further
Resolved, That in light of the Eighth Commandment and its
explanation in the Small and Large Catechisms, members of the
Synod be encouraged to put the best construction on the words and
actions of others; and be it further
Resolved, That when there is disagreement with the words and
actions of a pastor, congregation, or official in such situations,
members of the Synod admonish one another to address those
differences personally and privately before making our disagreements public or bringing formal charges against each other; and
be it finally
Resolved, Even when there seem to be clear violations of God’s
Word and the Lutheran Confessions, that harsh characterizations
be avoided and that these issues be addressed in a spirit of gentleness.
Action: Adopted (8)
(When Res. 3-02A was introduced by the committee (Session
1), an amendment to delete the second resolve paragraph was followed by a motion to send the resolution back to the committee
for further modification, which motion carried [Yes: 740; No: 241].
When Res. 3-02B was brought forward by the committee (Session
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2 0 1 3 C o n v e n t io n P r o c e e d i n g s

8), a motion to postpone consideration until Res. 3-10A could be
considered failed. A motion was then introduced to amend the resolution by inserting a new (additional) second resolve paragraph:
“Resolved, That we recognize that because such situations vary from
place to place, local pastors, congregations, and officials are ordinarily in a better position to make responsible decisions than those
who are farther away; and be it further.” This motion was discussed
and carried [Yes: 510; No: 459]. When debate was ended, Res. 3-02B
was adopted as amended [Yes: 873; No: 115].)

To Support, Commend, and Increase Witness,
Mercy, and Life Together Ministry
of Lutheran Schools
RESOLUTION 3-03A
Overture 3-01 (CW, p. 149)
Whereas, Elementary and secondary schools in The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) have a long and distinguished
history in America, participating in the mission of Christ’s Church
for more than 175 years; and
Whereas, Dr. Martin Luther’s words ring as true in the 21st
century as when he wrote them: “For if the devil is to be dealt a
blow that really hurts, it must be done through young people who
have come to maturity and knowledge of God, and who spread His
word and teach it to others” (“To the Councilmen of All Cities in
Germany That They Establish and Maintain Christian Schools,”
1524); and
Whereas, Lutheran schools bear witness to the importance our
forebears gave to Dr. Luther’s imperative in the same 1524 document that “for the sake of the Church, we must have and maintain
Christian schools”; and
Whereas, Schools in the LCMS have been established to
encourage, support, equip, and empower parents in their duty
and responsibility to bring their children up “in the discipline and
instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4 ESV); and
Whereas, Schools in the LCMS strive to connect the congregation to the community they serve through daily instruction,
activities, and programs; and
Whereas, Congregations and Lutheran day schools within the
LCMS also operate 1,376 early childhood centers and preschools,
serving more than 121,000 children; and
Whereas, LCMS congregations operate 871 elementary schools
serving more than 90,000 students; and
Whereas, 88 domestic and 3 international Lutheran high
schools (Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Hanoi) touch the lives of more
than 17,000 students and their families; and
Whereas, 59 percent of LCMS congregations are involved in
operating schools, preschools, or early childhood centers; and

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