LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 118

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To Address Responsible Internet Use
in Congregations

To Adopt Mission and Ministry Emphases
for the 2013–2016 Triennium

RESOLUTION 3-05

RESOLUTION 3-06A

Overture 3-43 (CW, pp. 161–162)
Whereas, We believe, teach, and confess that we are redeemed
by the grace of Jesus Christ and are called to newness of life in
Christ; and
Whereas, Statistics on Internet pornography and other
ungodly usage indicate that such abuse is rampant in our culture
(e.g. 2008 Ambassadors of Reconciliation Bible Study: Responding
to Sexual Temptation in a High Tech Society, Billings, MT); and
Whereas, Christians and church workers are susceptible to
temptations (i.e., pornography, gambling, cyber-bullying, sexting,
etc.) accessible via the Internet and technological media; and
Whereas, St. Paul admonishes the believers with these words:
“But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not
even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there
be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out
of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Eph. 5:3–4); and
Whereas, Accountability to another person is an effective
means of ensuring appropriate social conduct; therefore be it
Resolved, That district presidents continue to provide leadership
to their district pastors and church worker conferences in recognizing these dangers and developing strategies to prevent such
behaviors and to respond to those struggling with them; and be
it further
Resolved, That each of the congregations and schools of the
LCMS be encouraged to warn and instruct their members about
such abuses and how they can be avoided and overcome; and be
it further
Resolved, That LCMS congregations and schools be encouraged
to pursue Internet accountability software and encourage usage by
their church workers and members; and be it further
Resolved, That member congregations and schools be encouraged to establish and implement Internet usage policies and employ
Internet accountability software on congregation and schoolowned computers and other types of electronic devices; and be
it finally
Resolved, That the President’s task force on same-sex issues be
encouraged to develop guidance and resources for addressing the
misuse of the Internet, especially Sixth Commandment issues, and
that the Office of National Mission be directed to address these
issues.
Action: Adopted (7)
(As Res. 3-05 was being discussed, a suggestion to add the words
“continue to” after “district presidents” in the first resolve paragraph was accepted by the committee as a friendly amendment.
The resolution was then adopted as amended [Yes: 980; No: 26].)

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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

Report 1-7-CMO (CW, p.13, 19); Overtures 3-11–16, 19–23
(CW, pp. 152–155)
Whereas, Synod Bylaw 4.2.1 states:
…
(b) The district convention is the instrument to receive
overtures (Bylaws 3.1.6.2–3.1.6.2.5), including overtures and
recommendations for synodwide mission and ministry emphases submitted by member congregations and adopted by
a circuit forum.
…
(d) The district convention shall, through delegate vote,
forward to the national convention a list of two or three triennial mission and ministry emphases for consideration by the
national convention.
And
Whereas, No triennial emphasis could be adopted at the 2010
Synod convention because this process had been newly established;
and
Whereas, The Synod President and his staff developed “Witness, Mercy, Life Together” as an emphasis for the 2010–2013
triennium; and
Whereas, According to the report of the Chief Mission Officer (CMO):
The Synod adopted the following mission statement during
the 1995 convention: “In grateful response to God’s grace and
empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments,
the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed
within our churches, communities, and world.” Developing
values, priorities, goals, and vision continues in congruence
with the Synod’s mission and objectives.
In order to accomplish this Synod-wide mission, corporate Synod began to synchronize and coordinate the various
programs and program support activities by identifying five
operational lines of ministry: mission, mercy, information,
advancement, and education. These five lines of operation
were synchronized within the scope of the Synod’s mission
statement, objectives, values, and priorities.
And
Whereas, The Synod’s mission statement provides direction,
and the three-fold emphasis has clearly expressed the Synod’s mission; and
Whereas, Eleven (11) of 35 districts submitted overtures to the
2013 convention suggesting mission and ministry emphases for the
2013–2016 triennium; and

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